By MICHAEL ALPERT, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Published on: 03/24/04

Halfway through lacrosse's third season of sanctioning by the GHSA, there can be no mistaking the sport's richness in north Fulton.

Of 49 varsity teams playing the sport from 27 schools, 15 are from the area.

Perhaps most telling, however, is that seven are among the top 10 in their respective boys and girls overall standings. Milton's girls were second to Westminster through last week, with Chattahoochee ranked third, Roswell ranked sixth and Centennial ranked eighth. Milton's boys were fourth behind Lassiter, Pope and Pace Academy, but ahead of No. 8 Chattahoochee and No. 9 Centennial.

Milton's girls enter home games today against Roswell and Tuesday against Centennial with a leading record of 3-0 in Area 1 (9-0 overall) through last week. Chattahoochee's game Friday against visiting Centennial is a matchup of the area's second- and third-place teams at 3-1 and 1-0, respectively, (6-1-1 and 3-1 overall).

Milton's girls have outscored opponents 132-44 through their first nine games. Leading the Eagles are sophomore winger Natalie Galvin, who had 16 goals and 12 assists, and senior attacker Kelsea Adams, who had 31 goals and 12 assists. Sophomore center Brianna Beach had 27 goals and seven assists, and sophomore keeper Kirstin Schneider had 91 saves and a 72-percent goals-against average.

Eagles coach John Schneider said consistent effort has been a key to winning.

Like everyone, the Eagles are vying to be among three teams from each of four areas that qualify for boys and girls postseason tournaments.

Chattahoochee's boys and North Springs' girls advanced to last year's tournament finals, but failed in their bids to become the first public schools to win it all.

"We're winning because we're playing as a team," he said. "The girls' game is a 12-player game, and we've consistently had them all out there contributing."

The Milton boys' game Friday at St. Francis is a matchup of Area 1's first- and last-place teams. The Eagles entered the week unbeaten (9-0, 3-0); St. Francis winless (0-5, 0-2). Centennial's game Friday at Chattahoochee matches up the area's fourth- and second-place teams, which began 1-1 and 3-1 in area (4-4 and 4-5 overall).

The Holy Innocents' girls began the week in fourth place in Area 2 (1-4, 0-1), while the school's boys began as the second squad in Area 4 (5-1, 2-0). Roswell's boys were sixth in Area 4 (2-6-1, 0-4) through last week.