Wentzville continues torrid start with impressive win over MICDS

CREVE COEUR – Wentzville Girls Lacrosse coach Kelley Lowry called it “the gauntlet.”

After cruising through the 2022 schedule with just one loss and an average margin of victory in the double digits, Wentzville advanced two tiers in schedule difficulty and opened the 2023 season with five games against some of the most decorated programs in girls lacrosse.

“We knew it was going to be a challenge, but as a team, we enjoy the close games. It brings us closer together,” junior captain Addison Holm said.

Holm scored five goals, senior Leah Wilmsmeyer added three, and Wentzville completed the gauntlet without harm, defeating defending state champion MICDS 12-6 Wednesday at Ron Holtman Stadium.

Wentzville (5-0), which has won 19 of its last 20 games, defeated St. Joseph’s, John Burroughs, Parkway South and Lafayette in its first four contests before toppling MICDS on Tuesday.

“We didn’t know what to expect with every game being hard, but it’s been really fun for us,” Wilmsmeyer said.  

Powered by four goals by the speedy Holm, Wentzville led 8-4 early in the second half before momentum swung in favor of MICDS.

Rams’ sophomore Caroline Koman wrapped around the net to close the deficit to three, and senior goalie Kendall Curry made three stellar saves that brought enthusiastic cheers from the MICDS bench.

Curry stuffed both Wilmsmeyer and junior Ryann Bunner on free position shots. Moments later, she extended her left leg to kick away a certain goal from Wentzville leading scorer Ella Lowry.

It was Curry’s sixth save from a shot taken by Lowry, who had not found the back of the net up to that point.

“On attack, if I’m not scoring a lot of goals, somebody else always steps up,” Ella Lowry said.

That person was Wilmsmeyer, who, in her new role as a defensive midfielder, entered the game with only four goals on the season.

A talented scorer and all-state performer for the Timberland basketball team, Wilmsmeyer raced in front of the crease and found the twine behind Curry. One minute later, she swished a free position shot to give Wentzville its largest lead at 10-5.  

“With Ella struggling, Leah had to pull through for us. Obviously, Addison did her part, but it just can’t be one player,” said senior Lexi Wilmsmeyer, Leah’s twin sister.

Lexi Wilmsmeyer did her part as well, spearheading a Wentzville defensive effort that matched the physicality of the Rams’ attackers and the savviness of their cutters.

During a pivotal second half stretch, the Wentzville defense caused turnovers, scooped ground balls and held MICDS scoreless for more than 15 minutes of game time.

“We all do a great job of talking and helping. It’s such a team effort,” Lexi Wilmsmeyer said.

Lowry finally solved the Curry riddle midway through the second half, and a Holm free position shot increased the lead to 12-5 as the combination of speed and skill throughout the Wentzville lineup proved too difficult to contain for MICDS.

In the final minutes, the Wentzville players began to internalize what they were accomplishing.

“Beating these teams is crazy to us,” Ella Lowry said. “We’re coming from playing at a park to playing on the MICDS field and beating them. I think we’re all really proud of ourselves for doing what we never thought we would be able to do.”

Wentzville Girls Lacrosse is considered a “club” team, and therefore, is excluded from competing in the state playoffs or playing for a state title. Wentzville Girls Lacrosse can draw players from Timberland, Holt, Liberty and North Point, but coach Kelley Lowry approximates that 90 percent of the Wentzville players attend Timberland High School.

“I still don’t understand why we’re not allowed in the playoffs. We’ve been around for 17 years, and not once have they even given us a nibble,” coach Kelley Lowry said. “The powers that be have not invited us. I’ve asked, trust me. I’ve been a little pushy.”

Conversely, all boys lacrosse teams in the STL-area are considered “club” teams and can participate in postseason play. The Wentzville boys lacrosse team won the Show Me Cup title last season.

With the postseason seemingly out of the realm of possibility, Wentzville Girls Lacrosse will continue to enjoy the current challenge of testing themselves against the top lacrosse programs in the area, with games against Villa Duchesne, Cor Jesu and Summit still on the horizon.

“We play very well together, and these good teams force us to do that,” Lexi Wilmsmeyer said.

Holm added, “I don’t know if we expected to be doing as well as we are, but I’m just proud of how we’ve stepped up.”