Indian Creek lacrosse moves forward with Bunker sisters’ final run
The Bunkers are back — and Indian Creek’s lacrosse program will only benefit from having the siblings' return to the fold.
Actually, the Eagles still have to wait for older sister Abbey Bunker’s recovery from an injury to join sophomore Stephanie Bunker as the team moves forward in the B Conference this spring.
Abbey and Stephanie are the third and fourth, respectively, Bunkers to star in lacrosse and basketball for the school.
Megan, a senior midfielder at Regis University, helped the Eagles win a C Conference lacrosse title in 2021 while Molly, a sophomore midfielder at Charleston University, and Abbey were part of the 2022 contingent that helped the Eagles to repeat a year later.
This year Abbey and Stephanie will have plenty of help on a potent midfield that includes seniors Naima Bead and Sophia O’Connell and freshman Mackenzie Johnson.
Another rookie, Megan Bach, is “making things happen” on attack, first-year coach Jess Wilkinson said.
Even without Abbey, Indian Creek has been adept at putting the ball in the net in its first four games this season, averaging 16 goals per game during that span.
The Eagles found the going a little tougher on Tuesday when they fell to Concordia Prep, 15-8, however.
Even so, Stephanie has had a terrific start to her sophomore season while scoring 31 goals in four games.
“Steph has been a force for us on the field,” Indian Creek coach Jess Wilkinson said. “She’s a threat on attack, having the ability to find her 1-v-1 opportunities. She’s a powerful lefty, but can use both sides of her body to find the best option to get her arms free for the shot. I know that her increase in production on the field has also helped others around her to take more chances offensively. It shows — our team has been doing a good job at producing the number of shots I want to see.”
With Bead, O’Connell and Johnson joining Stephanie on the circle, winning draws has also been a big part of the Eagles’ game. Stephanie had already accumulated 48 draw controls before Tuesday’s game.
“Steph has also stepped into her draw game in a big way,” Wilkinson added. ”Most notably, however, is the relationships she has with her teammates. She has so much support from the team, and I know having Abbey with her on the field has been helpful in taking chances more often. And when all is said and done – she’s still a sophomore!"
Stephanie said that some transferable skills from the court this winter are aiding her in the spring.
”I think my game has become quicker overall,” she said. “Basketball has definitely helped me with my cuts and conditioning, which I’ve been able to apply to lacrosse. There are still aspects of my game I want to improve, like using my right hand more often. But most importantly, I want to help make my team better as the season progresses."
Once a defense that needs “more experience, more cohesion…….and more reps,” finds its sea legs playing in front of the goalie tandem of junior Izzy Harries and freshman Lexi Kuzmeskus, the Eagles could make things that much more difficult for opponents.
“They’re learning on the job,” Wilkinson said. “I’m a first-year coach, so they’re getting used to me and I’m getting used to them, too.”
Abbey, who has committed to play lacrosse at Robert Morris University, is having fun watching her younger sister show what she can do with a stick in her hands.
"It's super exciting seeing everything she's able to do this season and being able to watch her succeed so much on the field,” Abbey said. “Seeing her grow and step up so much as a player only being a sophomore is incredible and I can't wait to see what else she's going to do in the future."
The Bunker bonds run deep — on and off the field, she said.
"I love being on a team with Stephanie and have been so grateful to play with her growing up as well,” Abbey added. “We push each other to be better and I love the healthy competition that comes with playing with her. Being close with her off the field allows us to have good chemistry and play together well on the field. If you ask anyone who's ever been on a team with her, they'll tell you how much of an amazing teammate she is and how she's always bringing positivity where it's needed — and I love that about her."
As the last in the line, Stephane is well aware of what the Bunker sisters have meant to ICS lacrosse.
"I definitely feel like it’s big shoes to fill, especially after watching my three sisters play all four years and succeed greatly,” Stephanie said. “It’s definitely a bittersweet feeling, knowing that once I’m done playing at Indiana Creek, that our legacy will come to an end."
This story was originally published on the IAAM website. Click here to view.
Back
Actually, the Eagles still have to wait for older sister Abbey Bunker’s recovery from an injury to join sophomore Stephanie Bunker as the team moves forward in the B Conference this spring.
Abbey and Stephanie are the third and fourth, respectively, Bunkers to star in lacrosse and basketball for the school.
Megan, a senior midfielder at Regis University, helped the Eagles win a C Conference lacrosse title in 2021 while Molly, a sophomore midfielder at Charleston University, and Abbey were part of the 2022 contingent that helped the Eagles to repeat a year later.
This year Abbey and Stephanie will have plenty of help on a potent midfield that includes seniors Naima Bead and Sophia O’Connell and freshman Mackenzie Johnson.
Another rookie, Megan Bach, is “making things happen” on attack, first-year coach Jess Wilkinson said.
Even without Abbey, Indian Creek has been adept at putting the ball in the net in its first four games this season, averaging 16 goals per game during that span.
The Eagles found the going a little tougher on Tuesday when they fell to Concordia Prep, 15-8, however.
Even so, Stephanie has had a terrific start to her sophomore season while scoring 31 goals in four games.
“Steph has been a force for us on the field,” Indian Creek coach Jess Wilkinson said. “She’s a threat on attack, having the ability to find her 1-v-1 opportunities. She’s a powerful lefty, but can use both sides of her body to find the best option to get her arms free for the shot. I know that her increase in production on the field has also helped others around her to take more chances offensively. It shows — our team has been doing a good job at producing the number of shots I want to see.”
With Bead, O’Connell and Johnson joining Stephanie on the circle, winning draws has also been a big part of the Eagles’ game. Stephanie had already accumulated 48 draw controls before Tuesday’s game.
“Steph has also stepped into her draw game in a big way,” Wilkinson added. ”Most notably, however, is the relationships she has with her teammates. She has so much support from the team, and I know having Abbey with her on the field has been helpful in taking chances more often. And when all is said and done – she’s still a sophomore!"
Stephanie said that some transferable skills from the court this winter are aiding her in the spring.
”I think my game has become quicker overall,” she said. “Basketball has definitely helped me with my cuts and conditioning, which I’ve been able to apply to lacrosse. There are still aspects of my game I want to improve, like using my right hand more often. But most importantly, I want to help make my team better as the season progresses."
Once a defense that needs “more experience, more cohesion…….and more reps,” finds its sea legs playing in front of the goalie tandem of junior Izzy Harries and freshman Lexi Kuzmeskus, the Eagles could make things that much more difficult for opponents.
“They’re learning on the job,” Wilkinson said. “I’m a first-year coach, so they’re getting used to me and I’m getting used to them, too.”
Abbey, who has committed to play lacrosse at Robert Morris University, is having fun watching her younger sister show what she can do with a stick in her hands.
"It's super exciting seeing everything she's able to do this season and being able to watch her succeed so much on the field,” Abbey said. “Seeing her grow and step up so much as a player only being a sophomore is incredible and I can't wait to see what else she's going to do in the future."
The Bunker bonds run deep — on and off the field, she said.
"I love being on a team with Stephanie and have been so grateful to play with her growing up as well,” Abbey added. “We push each other to be better and I love the healthy competition that comes with playing with her. Being close with her off the field allows us to have good chemistry and play together well on the field. If you ask anyone who's ever been on a team with her, they'll tell you how much of an amazing teammate she is and how she's always bringing positivity where it's needed — and I love that about her."
As the last in the line, Stephane is well aware of what the Bunker sisters have meant to ICS lacrosse.
"I definitely feel like it’s big shoes to fill, especially after watching my three sisters play all four years and succeed greatly,” Stephanie said. “It’s definitely a bittersweet feeling, knowing that once I’m done playing at Indiana Creek, that our legacy will come to an end."
This story was originally published on the IAAM website. Click here to view.
Indian Creek School
Indian Creek school is a co-educational, college preparatory independent school, located in Crownsville, Maryland. Students in Pre-K3 through grade 12 receive a vibrant educational experience based on excellent academics steeped in strong student-teacher connections.
