Indian Creek girls lacrosse tops Beth Tfiloh to win first IAAM C Conference title since 2014

Batman and Robin, Abbott and Costello, and Bunker and Alewine.

While Indian Creek’s Megan Bunker and Elia Alewine don’t fight crime or regal audiences with slapstick humor, the Eagles’ dynamic duo proved to be a winning combination in securing the program’s first Interscholastic Athletic Association C Conference girls lacrosse title since capturing back-to-back crowns in 2013-14.

Bunker, through various spin moves and straight jaunts to the goal, erupted for seven goals and chipped in two assists to account for nine of the team’s 10 goals while Alewine stopped roughly 20 shots, including a flurry of close-range opportunities in the second half, to lead Indian Creek to a 10-7 victory against Beth Tfiloh in the championship game at Mercy High School Sunday afternoon.

“Obviously, it feels amazing,” said Bunker, whose squad’s only loss this spring came against the Warriors, a 12-11 overtime setback April 23. “I’ve been here for four years and it’s been the goal every single season, and to be able to achieve it surrounded by a team that means everything to me. That is the most hard-working and poised group of girls ever, it feels even better.”

Bunker posted four goals in the first half to help overcome a slow start for the Eagles, while timely stops on free positions by Alewine and numerous draws won by Bunker helped the Eagles finish off the season at 15-1, including an 8-7 victory against Beth Tfiloh on April 8.

“Honestly, they are probably a little deeper in their starting lineup, but we have the best goalie in the league and the best player in the league,” Eagles coach Steve Willett said. “They’re phenomenal. A freshman goalie, she’s a gift. She’s a tough kid, a good kid. Neither one of them has an egotistical bone in their body.”

Willett and his Eagles needed Bunker, Alewine, and their hard-charging teammates at their best as Beth Tfiloh jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first 10-plus minutes of the contest. “That’s always the case against these guys,” Willett said. “They’re a good team; they’re a tough team. They play the game the way it’s supposed to be played and it’s always a tight ballgame.”

Then it was Indian Creek’s turn to dictate play. The Eagles responded with six unanswered goals for a 6-3 halftime advantage, and it was Bunker who fueled that rally with four of those six goals along with an assist to Kalle Huff that put the Eagles on the board. Mia Putzi tossed in a goal of her own in the rally.

Bunker scored two late goals on free positions with the Eagles holding a man-advantage after Alison Krieger received a yellow card.

The Warriors started the second half off just as strong as the first with Marissa Ross, Paige Glick and Grossman finding the back of the net to tie the contest at 6-6 with around 16 minutes left in the match. The game remained deadlocked heading into the final 10:46 following goals by Bunker, on a free position, and Grossman, off a drive and dish by Krieger.

Beth Tfiloh (13-2), however, was shut out the rest of the contest behind the play of Alewine, her defense, and the draw control by Bunker.

“Elia, honestly, that was the biggest game-changer for our team this year, having an amazing goalie like she is. She is just so good. She really holds our team together,” Bunker said. “She is like a rock.”

Beth Tfiloh coach Alexa Eckley said Bunker’s success on the draw control and the play of Alewine was the difference in the game.

“I think that was really hard to keep momentum going, because even after we scored, then we had to fight to get the ball back again,” Eckley said. “Their goalie was outstanding today. She came up with some huge saves. Even though we adjusted our shots, she was just fantastic. I give a lot of credit to her.”

Bunker, who will play basketball and lacrosse at Seton Hill University (Pa.) next year, put the Eagles up for good with her sixth goal of the match with 10:32 left in the match. She secured the draw and then raced from just inside her team’s territory to the goal for a finish and an 8-7 advantage. She next found a cutting Putzi for a 9-7 lead with 6:35 left before capping the game’s scoring with a double spin move and finish with 6:23 remaining in the match.

“It seems to be what I practice the most,” said Bunker of her spinning attack. “It seems the most effective for me. That’s kind of my go-to to get open and go to the goal.”

Willett raved about his star senior afterward. She finishes her career as the all-time points leader in program history. “Megan Bunker, she’s been this way for four years,” Willett said. “A very strong player. She plays a complete game. It’s not just scoring; it’s not just the draws. She plays great defense. She’s fantastic.”