HUGHESTOWN — It may have taken nine games, but the Pittston Area girls lacrosse team now has something to hang its hat on.

The Patriots, after losing their first eight conference games of the season, rattled Tunkhannock, 16-11, to pick up the first win of the season. It was the first career lacrosse win for coach Nicole Tieso. It was Senior Day.

“It meant everything to them,” Tieso said of her seniors. “They’ve been working hard all season and they’ve come close a few times. They really pulled through and played strong the whole way. They did it for each other.”

Pittston Area, at halftime, honored its nine seniors: Haley Norwillo, Bianca Mattei-Miller, Anna McDermott, Alyssa Neare, Lucia Menichelli-Bates, Taylor Levandoski, Rachel Ferrance, Dana Zalewski and Laura Singleton. Although Norwillo is the school’s all-time leading scorer, it was also her first game of the season after recovering from a knee injury.

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Norwillo scored a goal and had three assists, while fellow senior Zalewski had five goals. Seniors McDermott and Mattei-Miller each had two goals in the win. Sophomore Bailey Jordan finished with three goals, while freshman Brooklyn Pedana made 11 saves for Pittston Area. Also scoring for the Patriots were Levandoski, Nina Cirelli and Ferrance.

Tieso was happy to see Norwillo back on the field.

“It was good to have her back and she brings a presence on the field,” Tieso said. “She’s helping control for us, but the other girls have been stepping up in her absence.”

The Patriots found themselves down 11-2 after the first half against Wyoming Seminary on Thursday, but were able to cut the deficit to just 13-8. The Patriots would fall to the WVC powerhouse, 15-9.

Zalewski and Jordan each scored three goals for the Patriots. Nina Cirelli scored two goals, while Norwillo and Neare each scored one. Pedana had eight saves in the loss to a team with no conference losses this season.

Tieso said the close loss to Wyoming Seminary has given the girls confidence heading into the final weeks of the season.

“That was a very impressive game for us,” she said. “We started off very slow. We had a chat at halftime and the girls really picked it up in the second half and executed everything like we needed to do.”

Zalewski had eight goals this past week. Tieso said it’s all about the way she works to make her game better.

“She’s just been working really, really hard and making great opportunities for herself,” Tieso said. “She’s just been working hard and not giving up.”

Crestwood 14, Wyoming Area 5

Wyoming Area scored goals from five different players in Thursday’s loss to Crestwood.

Scoring for the Warriors were Caitlin Butchko, Claudia Waltz, Lila Donnelly, Jordan Kelly and Lindsey Pozaic. Wyoming Area’s Jessica Walkowiak made 13 saves on 27 shots.

What’s next

Wyoming Area will host Tunkhannock at 7 p.m. Monday, May 9 at the football stadium in West Pittston. The game is part of Senior Night for both the boys and girls teams. The boys team will play Tunkhannock at 4:30 p.m. The girls will then host Lake-Lehman on Wednesday.

Pittston Area travels to Dallas on Monday and then travel to Coughlin on Wednesday.

Pittston Area’s Bailey Jordan (22) finds a crease and scores against Wyoming Seminary on Thursday.
http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/web1_PA-Sem-G-Lacrosse-4.jpg.optimal.jpgPittston Area’s Bailey Jordan (22) finds a crease and scores against Wyoming Seminary on Thursday. Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch

Pittston Area’s Dana Zalewski scores one of her three goals against Wyoming Seminary on Thursday.
http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/web1_PA-Sem-G-Lacrosse-3.jpg.optimal.jpgPittston Area’s Dana Zalewski scores one of her three goals against Wyoming Seminary on Thursday. Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch

Pittston Area’s Haley Norwillo (1) scored the first goal for Pittston Area against Wyoming Seminary on Thursday.
http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/web1_PA-Sem-G-Lacrosse-2.jpg.optimal.jpgPittston Area’s Haley Norwillo (1) scored the first goal for Pittston Area against Wyoming Seminary on Thursday. Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch

Pittston Area’s Bailey Jordan (22) sets a perfect pick for teammate Haley Norwillo against Wyoming Seminary on Thursday.
http://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/web1_PA-Sem-G-Lacrosse-5.jpg.optimal.jpgPittston Area’s Bailey Jordan (22) sets a perfect pick for teammate Haley Norwillo against Wyoming Seminary on Thursday. Tony Callaio | For Sunday Dispatch
Patriots pick up first win of season

By Nick Wagner

nwagner@timesleader.com

Reach Nick Wagner at 570-991-6406 or on Twitter @Dispatch_Nick