Last year did not sit too well for the Parkland girls lacrosse players.

After five straight Eastern Pennsylvania Conference championships, the Trojans’ streak was broken by Easton last year. But they did something about it this time around.

Parkland jumped all over the Red Rovers from the get go, taking an 8-3 lead at halftime and then continuing its pursuit in the second half to win back the EPC title 12-6 last Monday night at Northampton High School’s Al Erdosy Stadium in a persistent rain.

“We got our momentum going and we wanted to get this [championship] back, especially after last year,” said senior attack Morgan Hurd. “We all had so much anger going into this and we wanted to show them what we’re made of.”

Classmate Kenzie Roth, like Hurd, played a prominent role on the 2018 team, wanted this one just as bad, and didn’t want to fall in the game twice in a row.

“This feels so good to get this one, especially as a senior,” said Roth. “After last year, this just feels good. We knew we were most likely going to be seeing them again in this game. They’re a great team and they showed it all year. We just really wanted this one.”

The Parkland offense, led by Hurd and Roth, also featured a variety of other different scorers. The Trojans scored five unanswered goals in the first half to hold a 5-1 lead with 12:03 left in the opening half and asserted their control over the contest.

“We were possessing the ball and making smart decisions on the field, both offensively and defensively,” said Parkland head coach Dawn Cipolla. “They followed our game plan. They weren’t making silly decisions. The defense and (goalie) Mackenzie Galucy were excellent.”

The Trojan defense was stout all game long, allowing just three goals in each half, giving themselves the opportunity to stay in front with a comfortable lead most of the game.

Galucy finished the game with 12 saves, and the backline in front of her, featuring Lydia Lisetski, Emily Green, Erica Steele and Kristyn Kleinhez all were around the ball at all times and made shooting and passing difficult for Easton.

“Mackenzie was great all game,” Roth said. “I thought she really stepped up and made some great saves. The defense knew that Easton could score, and after we got that lead early on, our intensity just picked up and we defended even harder.”

Parkland will now advance to the District 11 Class 3A tournament and play in a semifinal round matchup on Monday, May 20, back at Northampton High School.