York’s first-ever appearance in the IHSA state girls lacrosse finals was a memorable one.
The Dukes capped off a spectacular season by reaching the IHSA girls lacrosse state-championship game at Hinsdale Central.
York lost 21-3 to Loyola Academy in the June 6 title game. The Dukes had lost to Loyola 16-8 in the supersectional round (state’s final 8 teams) a year earlier. The Ramblers have now won four IHSA state titles since 2018.
York finished the season 21-4, won the West Suburban Conference title (undefeated 5-0 record) and also won sectional and supersectional titles.
In the 21-3 loss to Loyola, the Ramblers jumped out to a 10-0 lead after the first quarter and led 13-1 at halftime.
Morgan Navarre had a goal and an assist for York. Ella Skotty and Hayden Daniel each added a goal. Daniel also had two groundballs. York had seven shots and four of them were on goal. Loyola had three players score four goals each and took 35 shots (25 on goal).
York goalie Halle Jasani made four saves.
York reached the state-championship game after a 17-6 win over Chicago Marist in the state semifinals.
York broke a 3-3 first-quarter tie with three goals in the second to take a 6-3 lead into halftime. York then outscored Marist 11-3 in the second half of the June 4 contest.
Elizabeth Specht had two goals and three assists to go with five draw controls. Abby Evans had a goal and an assist, while Riley Raible had a goal. Skotty had three goals, one assist and three groundballs. Daniel had three goals, while Kayla Mirante scored five goals.
Lucy Guistolise had a goal, while Navarre had a goal, two assists and six draw controls. York had 25 shots (22 on goal). Jasani made three saves in goal.
York, under the direction of coach Ryan Walz (78-20 during his time at the helm of the Dukes program) made it to the state finals after downing Hinsdale Central 12-8 in the Hoffman Estates Supersectional. York beat Hinsdale Central 19-16 during the WSC regular season matchup.
The Dukes won the Hoffman Estates sectional title after convincing wins over Montini (25-5), Glenbard West (19-5) and Benet Academy (17-6).
Mirante finished the season with 73 goals to go with 19 assists. Specht had 59 goals to go with 71 assists. Daniel finished with 70 goals and 18 assists. Navarre had 44 goals to go with 41 assists. Skotty finished with 39 goals and 26 assists. Evans had 28 goals and 17 assists.
Heading into the state semifinals, Daniel had scored a goal on 97 percent of the shots she took, while Mirante was at 93 percent. Jasani went into the state semifinals with 105 saves and had a goals-against average of 7.00.
In the awards department, Specht was named an Illinois All-American by the Illinois Girls Lacrosse Coaches Association.
Specht, Mirante and Daniel also were named to the IGLCA all-state first team, while Navarre earned IGLCA all-state second-team accolades.
Daniel, Jasani, Mirante, Navarre, Skotty, Specht and Sofia Madlangbayan also were named to the IGLCA all-sectional team.
Specht, Daniel and Navarre are all headed to NCAA Division I lacrosse programs with Specht committed to Cincinnati, Daniel to East Carolina and Navarre to San Diego State.
York, which has now won three IHSA sectional titles in a row, went 14-3 in road and neutral-site games this season.
