Buckeye edges Kirtland 8-7 in gritty road win

Buckeye High School earned a hard-fought 8-7 road win over Kirtland on Saturday at Kirtland High School, using a late push and a series of key defensive stands to finish off an evenly matched girls lacrosse game. In a matchup decided by possession, hustle plays and saves, the Bucks answered an early deficit and held on behind Natalie Clark’s three-goal effort and steady work in goal from Zoey Jarvis.

Kirtland’s aggressive play on the ball helped the home team build the early edge, but Buckeye settled in after Clark sparked the offense with one of the game’s biggest sequences. Clark collected a ground ball at midfield, carried it all the way in and finished for a goal that got the Bucks on the board and shifted momentum. From there, Buckeye’s defense tightened, and Jarvis came up with several important saves to keep the game within reach as the Bucks worked back into it.

Clark finished with three goals to lead Buckeye, while Mya Galdun added two goals. Molly Danilovic scored once, and senior Andreea Ghise added her first varsity goal, a notable moment in a game full of contributions across the roster. The Bucks also leaned on strong midfield play, particularly from Lillian Ames, whose aggressive work on draws helped Buckeye gain possession and control key stretches of the game.

Ames led the team with five ground balls, and Buckeye finished with 30 as a team, an important number in a game that repeatedly turned on loose-ball battles. Galdun also contributed a solid all-around effort, and the Bucks made the most of their chances offensively, recording 15 shots on goal and converting on enough of them to secure the one-goal victory. With only 12 players available and no substitutes, Buckeye’s effort stood out for its endurance as much as its execution.

The win reflected the kind of complete, resilient performance the Bucks needed on the road. They overcame Kirtland’s fast start, got timely scoring from multiple players, controlled possession in key moments through the draw and ground-ball game, and relied on Jarvis in the cage when the margin stayed thin. In a game that never offered much separation, Buckeye’s response after falling behind proved decisive.