Lacrosse players can proudly wear their varsity letter beginning this season. Enormous student interest bumped the sport from club to junior and varsity athletics.
Bill Booth and his wife, Debbie, have coached the girls club team since it began in 2007.
‘Be careful what you ask for,? warned Booth. ‘We asked, and we got it.?
Last year, 39 girls played club. This year, 45 will play JV or varsity and 65 attended a 2008 summer camp.
‘That gave us a lot of hope,? Booth said.
The Booths moved to Lake Orion in 2005 with their daughters, Chelsey and Ronnie, both of whom played lacrosse in their Maryland hometown.
The family started the lacrosse program with help from Director Ben Gerdeman and the Guided Activities Program (GAP), and Athletic Director Bill Reiss and LOHS.

Girls Lacrosse
(Varsity games begin at 7:00 and JV at 5:30, unless noted)
Wed 4/1 Midland
Wed 4/15 Farmington
Fri 4/17 Waterford
Wed 4/22 @ Harrison/N. Farmington
Sat 4/25 Waverly Tournament (TBA)
Mon 4/27 Grand Blanc
Wed 4/29 Clarkston
Fri 5/1 @ Rochester (6 & 7:30 p.m.)
Mon 5/4 @ Notre Dame Prep (6 & 7:30 p.m.)
Wed 5/6 @ Bloomfield
Fri 5/8 Huron Valley/Lakeland
Mon 5/11 Swartz Creek
Wed 5/13 Stoney Creek
Fri 5/15 Harper Woods Regina (6:15 & 7:45 p.m.)
Wed 5/20 Troy
** Regionals begin May 20
‘They’ve been very helpful and very supportive,? said Booth. ‘Now girls have the opportunity to play another sport, to try something new.?
In their first game of the season against Detroit Country Day, varsity lost 9-3.
Chelsey Booth had two goals and Ronnie added one. Lindsay Butterfield had an incredible 16 goalie saves. Defense was lead by Natalie Pierson, Ashley Dakki and Maggie Hughes.
At their first home game, varsity won 15-3 over Saginaw Heritage.
Jodie Parker scored three goals and had two assists. Chelsey Booth, Sam Bonkowski and Ronnie Booth scored two each. Sarah Woodruff and Butterfield combined to stop eight shots on goal.
On Monday, the team, now 1-2-0, lost to Grosse Point North 14-3. Ronnie Booth scored two and Woodruff nailed the rest. Sarah Cech had one assist. Butterfield stopped 12 shots on goal
During the remainder of the season, the team looks forward to gaining experience and honing their skills during their 17-game season.
‘We have pretty high expectations. It’s just our second year and we’ll play a full schedule,? Booth said, adding, ‘I think we have a realistic opportunity for league play.?
Their goal is to have a winning season, hopefully taking at least 11 games, and a better than 500 record.
Fans can keep an eye on returning players Chelsey and Ronnie Booth, Emily Mymarczek, Pearson, Hughes, Val Kipp, Parker, Cech and Sophia Reini. The girls make up the team’s core and with them, Booth is optimistic.
‘We’ll play the really good teams to measure our program and see how we’re doing,? said Booth. ‘It’s already been successful. I think it’s just going to get better.?