The Darlington Lady Tigers lacrosse team might not have qualified for the state playoffs this year, but they made a lasting impression on coaches around the state. Two Darlington lacrosse players were named first team all-state when the Georgia Lacrosse Coaches/GaSports.com All-State Team was announced Thursday [May 5].
Goalie Leslie Beninato and midfielder Brittni Dulaney, both juniors, were chosen first team all-state and led the Lady Tigers to a 12-3-1 record this spring. It marked the first time the Lady Tigers have ever had two first-team all-state selections in the same season, and Darlington coach Penny Braden said having two selections shows the respect her team has earned.
"I certainly think it speaks volumes about our program and these two players," said Braden. "Most of the other first teamers came from schools that made it to the playoffs and even to the Final Four. Our record showed that even if we didn't make it to the playoffs, we certainly held our own against the best teams in the state this year."
For Beninato, it is her second straight first-team all-state selection after being honored as a sophomore last year. She made 135 saves, had a 58.4 save percentage and a 6.47 goals-against average this spring. Beninato also holds the school record for most saves in a single match (26) and most saves in a season (241).
"Last year, Leslie might have had better stats when you look at the book, but she was still strong this year and her stats held their own against other goalies in the state," said Braden. "She won matches for us this year with her defense."
Dulaney had a huge offensive season, scoring a school-record 93 goals and handing out 11 assists. Dulaney was the team's Most Valuable Player each of the last two springs and was the team's Best Offensive Player this season.
Along with the record for most goals in a season, Dulaney also set the school record for most goals in a single match with 11 and already owns the mark for most career goals with 131 in just three years. Dulaney also had 85 ground balls and won 75 draws for the Lady Tigers this year.
"Brittni was a midfielder, so she had to play defense and offense," said Braden. "Everyone looked to her for leadership, even the seniors. Her 93 goals stand out, but she was a team player. When you have a player who does the things Brittni did, people might look at them in a bad way and call them a ballhog. But our kids didn't look at her like that. When we needed a goal, they got the ball to her."
Braden said Dulaney and Beninato both have the skills to play in college if they continue to work and improve.
"Brittni defniitely wants to go and play in college," said Braden. "I've already talked to several places about her.
"Leslie hasn't decided if she wants to go to that level, but people have told her she does have the potential to play in college if she wants to. People have told me she can be a Division I goalie right now if she wants to be."
Darlington's boys had a player receive all-state honors as well. Midfielder Braxton Allen was named second-team all-state by the Georgia Lacrosse Federation Boys Coaches Council after leading the Tigers to an 8-4-1 record this spring.
*Written by Joseph Myers, Rome News-Tribune Sports Writer, published 5/11/05
