The Miners girls lacrosse team didn’t drop a single game in Utah this season, with both of their losses coming on a trip to California in late March.  Park City, entering the playoffs 15-2 and the top seed in 5A, wasn’t about to let that streak end on Thursday, as they began their quest for back-to-back state titles against Woods Cross at Westminster University’s Dumke Field.  The Miners swiftly opened up a lead, entering the halftime break up 12-1. Avery Blair, Natalia Szwajkun, Sophia Mondschein, Coco Crawford and Olivia Dalton each recorded at least a hat trick on Thursday. Park City defeated their opponents 20-1.  “It’s always really impressive when we have games where we are right on top of it from the first whistle to the last,” said Miners Head Coach Adam Ghitelman. “I thought we played sharp.” The head ball coach believes his team’s speed of play and defense helped them secure the win Thursday.  Park City Head Coach Adam Ghitelman lauded his teams offense and defensive efforts in the win. Credit: Jack Casebolt/Park Record “The chemistry with these girls is just so phenomenal,” Ghitelman said. “They play a great brand of team lacrosse; they are playing unselfish and looking for the extra pass. I just really love that style of play and it makes us hard to cover.” Thursday’s win earned the Miners a date Saturday with ninth-seeded Payson, who took down eighth-seeded Pleasant Grove also on Thursday. That quarterfinal game will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday back on Dumke Field. Park City is practicing Friday and then going for a chilly swim in the Jordanelle Reservoir as part of recovery.  “They’ve got depth of scoring, they’ve got four girls upwards of, I believe, 30 points on the year, with one at almost 80 points,” Ghitelman said about Payson. “So they’re doing something right.” Ghitelman sees his team focusing more on playing their game than the opponent Saturday. The Miners are taking on Payson in the quarterfinals on Saturday. Credit: Jack Casebolt/Park Record The Miners have been doing a good job of focusing on the game right in front of them, and making the most of their opportunities on Dumke Field.  “We’re really thankful to have had the opportunity to play there a few times,” Ghitelman said. “It’s nice when you get into these bigger games and you’re comfortable in these arenas. … I think they love the environment, and it’s only helping them play.” Park City boys Head Coach Michael Persky said the girls team did a fantastic job drawing and keeping a strong crowd entertained Thursday. The boys team plays right after the girls again on Saturday.  Ghitelman hopes the stands at Dumke Field will be flooded once more on Saturday.  “Come on down and support these girls,” Ghitelman said. “They are just a master class of playing team lacrosse,hustle and competitiveness. Our girls and boys teams support each other so much. It’s great to see that the girls want to stick around and watch the boys’ games, and I think that’s a really cool tie between the two programs.” The post Miners girls lacrosse cruises past Woods Cross in second round of playoffs appeared first on Park Record. ...read more read less