For those not familiar w girls Lacrosse, the net in the stick is not allowed to be very deep. So the ball has to be cradled, in order to carry the ball. Especially in and out of traffic. It's a high degree of skill the girls develop, in order to do so. Pretty amazing to see their skills doing it. Players in high school, may sometimes push their pockets in deep, after stick checks (Utah HS only do 1 pre game check, college does it after each goal scored) their nets deeper, so the ball does not come out and it gives them a huge advantage.
In one of the semi final games today, a ref noticed the ball was not coming out of a girls net. Stopped the game and did a stick check. Found it was illegal and made her use a different stuck. By this time, there were only a few mins left in the game. In college, that is a major no no. Gets your team in big trouble. The game result can even be challenged. Any goals that girl may have scored, could be deleted. And the girl caught cheating could be suspended the rest of the game. But in Utah high school lacrosse, no such rules.
So the team with the girl who used the illegal stick, won by 1 point today. Turns out that girl scored 1 point and assisted another goal. She accounted for 2 goals in the game, with a major unfair advantage. Her team, won by 1 point. That is a major travesty. Her goals should not have been allowed.
Not sure what needs to change but I wonder how many girls will be incentived to cheat and use illegal sticks because Utah state rules allow for it to happen.
Something needs to change.