Spencerport's Molly Guzik continues special career: Section V girls lacrosse stats leaders

Concerning individual accolades, Spencerport's Molly Guzik boasts a resume few can match.

In 2023 alone, the junior earned the following recognition:

• US Lacrosse all-American.

• Monroe County Division II defensive player of the year.

• All-Greater Rochester selection.

• First team all-league in Monroe County.

The attention was warranted. Last spring Guzik led all of Section V in draw controls (147) while finishing eighth in points (87) and ninth in goals scored (60).

Even for the best of the best there's areas to improve, and Guzik has done just that. While Guzik has continued her dominance in the circle -- she again leads Section V in draw controls with 104 -- her scoring prowess has taken a leap forward. Guzik's 71 points through Wednesday's action lead Section V, while her 54 goals are second only to Greece's Mara Misiurewicz (60 goals).

"Molly is such a great all-around player. It's not so much what we wanted to improve, but I wanted her to continue to inspire the team," second-year coach Tara Pittman said. "She is one of the most humble athletes I've known. With her skill you'd think she'd be a selfish player, and she is the exact opposite. She comes early and stays late to help her teammates improve. That's what makes her such a special player."

Bookmark this: Section V girls lacrosse scores for 2024 season

So far, Guzik has pushed Spencerport to an 8-4 record, the Rangers' most recent win coming on Monday against a pesky Mercy team. While neither team managed to pull away through three quarters, Guzik's performance in the circle allowed Spencerport to string together possessions and build a multi-goal lead in the fourth in an eventual 12-10 victory.

While her stat line was impressive -- three goals, 10 draw controls, four takeaways -- there are also subtle contributions of note. When the Rangers held possession, it was Guzik who offered instruction to teammates on how to attack the Mercy defense, often pointing or gesturing the proper direction of the play.

There was even an instance, her coach noted, when Guzik was faceguarded by a Mercy defender but still able to signal instructions.

"She puts a lot of weight on her shoulders, that everything is her responsibility," Pittman said. "The amount of confidence she gives our team, it allows her to be like a director out there. It helps the kids who aren't experienced in certain situations or might be newer to our team."

When this season ends, Guzik will set her sights on a collegiate career at Syracuse University. Before then, though, her hope is that Spencerport will be the last team standing in Class B.

"We want that sectional title. We want that brick this year," Guzik said.

'The next Molly Guzik'

Late in Spencerport's win against Mercy, the Rangers watched a preview of what life will be like next season after Guzik graduates. The senior was sidelined for the final two minutes following a penalty, rendering the team without its calming presence and, more importantly in that moment, its primary draw-taker.

Enter sophomore Brooke Endres, who in Guzik-esque fashion cleanly earned a draw control that allowing Spencerport to drain the remainder of the clock and seal the win.

That wrapped a special night for Endres who, with three goals and five draw controls, reached the century mark for her career in both categories.

"She's been a starting midfielder since eighth grade, and in my eyes she can be the next Molly Guzik," Pittman said. "She's very smart, understands the game and is one of our captains as a sophomore. I'm very excited that I have two more years with Brooke."

Section V girls lacrosse statistical leaders through Wednesday, May 1

Goals

• Mara Misiurewicz, Greece – 60

• Molly Guzik, Spencerport – 54

• Bailey Cooper, Penn Yan – 49

• Maci Mueller, Waterloo – 48

• Ada Krupa, Eastridge/Bishop Kearney – 39

• Colleen Ginsberg, Gananda-Marion – 37

• Maddie Whitford, Livonia-Avon – 37

• Allie Good, Geneva – 34

• Myah Herron, Mynderse – 33

• Ashley Mandeville, Eastridge/Bishop Kearney – 33

Assists

• Erica Savage, Greece – 39

• Ella Peers, Fairport – 26

• Mia Quagrello, Mercy – 22

• Bailey Cooper, Penn Yan – 21

• Hanna Davis, Canandaigua – 20

• Chelsea Korzeniewski, Mynderse – 20

• Allie Good, Geneva – 17

• Molly Guzik, Spencerport – 17

• Maia Pronti, Victor – 17

• Kaitlyn Wright, Geneva – 17

Draw controls

• Molly Guzik, Spencerport – 104

• Ada Krupa, Eastridge/Bishop Kearney – 85

• Teagan Hudak, Palmyra-Macedon – 77

• Ella Peers, Fairport – 69

• Peyton Rothfuss, Penfield – 69

• Kate DeWald, Rush-Henrietta – 63

• Erica Savage, Greece – 63

• Taylor Mullins, Penn Yan – 61

• Lily Rowe, Livonia-Avon – 60

• Savannah Hinchcliffe, Aquinas – 57

Ground balls

• Zoe Baase, Brockport – 50

• Lauren Twist, Wayne – 48

• Jillian Willis, Eastridge/Bishop Kearney – 43

• Molly McJury, Brockport – 38

• Erica Savage, Greece – 38

• Madelyn Hillman, Wayne – 37

• Samantha Branner, Wayne – 36

• Maddie Askin, Geneva – 31

• Taryn Goodness, Palmyra-Macedon – 31

• Ada Krupa, Eastridge/Bishop Kearney -- 31

(Statistics courtesy of glaxfive.net)

This article originally appeared on MPNnow: Section V girls lacrosse 2024: Leaders in goals, assists, draw controls