‘We’re just having a good time together’: New Albany chasing perfection behind McClelland, Paz
Wednesday, May 15, 2024
By Michael Rich
mrich@cbussports.com
New Albany’s Maddy Paz (left) attacks the Pickerington Central defense during the Eagles’ win at Central April 9. Photo: Kevin Rouch
Ellie McClelland and Maddy Paz have been intertwined with each other seemingly forever.
Senior midfielders for the New Albany girls lacrosse team are in the midst of a season that has been perfect.
Varsity staples since they were freshmen, McClelland and Paz experienced highs and lows, ups and downs and everything in between.
Whether it’s been something on a micro level as McClelland finding Paz for a goal or the macro level of winning a state championship, the two have done it all and everything in between.
Well … almost everything.
“We always have little moments where we’ll yell at each other just (being) competitive,” McClelland said. “It’s not out of spite or anything … we’re just having a good time together. (We) really want what’s best for each other and push each other. I’m really appreciative of all the memories and moments we’ve had together that I’ll remember forever.”
The Eagles enter the Division I, Region 1 tournament at 18-0 overall and the top-ranked team in the state according to LaxNumbers.com. They’re seeking their first state title since 2022 when they beat Upper Arlington 14-13 in overtime where Paz scored the game-winning goal after McClelland secured the draw.
“I think it’s because we’re so competitive,” Paz said. “We just push each other so much and we work so hard. I think we both have the same mindset when we’re working. Just being competitive with each other has made us work well together but also pushes us to be our best selves.”
It hasn’t all been easy along the way. New Albany, seeded third in last year’s regional qualifier, fell to Olentangy Liberty in the final to finish 16-6.
The team had a change in leadership when coach Kaela Springhetti took over for Elaina Enich last October. The seniors led offseason training between coaches.
“I definitely learned how to be a leader,” Paz said. “Working with the other seniors – we didn’t have set captains. It was just a role we sort of embodied. We hold each other to a very high standard. Holding each other accountable in the offseason was crucial.”
The result has been perfect.
New Albany’s Ellie McClelland (right) shoots during the Eagles’ game at Pickerington Central April 9. Photo: Kevin Rouch
New Albany, which won four other state titles in Division II when the tournament was run by the Ohio School Lacrosse Association, is the top-seeded team in the regional qualifying tournament and hosts 16th-seeded Newark on May 16.
The Eagles defeated the Wildcats 19-0 on April 3 to open OCC-Ohio Division play on their way to their eighth consecutive league title and 13th overall. New Albany is on a 43-game winning streak in league play.
“In my interview, I probably had six or seven (players) from the team and I could just tell how much they loved the game,” Springhetti said. “I always tell people that you can not teach somebody to work that hard – you either have it or you don’t. And these girls really have it.”
Paz and McClelland are the Yin and Yang or eating breakfast for dinner or French fries in a frosty.
“Maddy brings the energy … Ellie brings balance,” Springhetti said. “I thought Maddy practiced at 100%. Then at DeSales in our first game, I’ve never seen anything like that. I thought she was practicing at 100%, but she plays at 150. (Ellie) is so thorough and she works so hard. She’s such a smart lacrosse (who) balances her energy all over the field. She’ll get a stop on D or she’ll win the draw and she’s pretty balanced with assists and goals. They’re two totally different types of players that balance each other out really well.”
The Eagles have an average margin of victory of 9.4 goals per game with only seven games being decided by fewer than 10, including one-point wins over Upper Arlington on April 18, Massillon Jackson on May 4 and Liberty on May 7.
New Albany’s Maddy Paz faces off with Pickerington Central’s Faith Osborn during their game at Central April 9. Photo: Kevin Rouch
McClelland’s 94 points and 35 assists led the team and she was second in goals (59), ground balls (52) and draw controls (91) through 17 games. Paz led the Eagles with 74 goals, 57 ground balls and 112 draw controls and was second in assists (19).
“(Paz) really pushes me to be the best player I can be all the time,” McClelland said. “I can confidently say that I wouldn’t be the player I am without her. We spend hours and hours of time together shooting around at the field or doing stick tricks. You name it – we’re always together.
“Our connection off the field has really translated on the field. She’s someone I can really trust at all times and someone that I just feel very comfortable with.”
Charlotte Halliday had 27 goals, Logan Snyder had 22 goals, Graciella Balcerzak had 29 ground balls, Ema Gravlin had 20 ground balls and Ryan Franklin had 55 saves for the Eagles before a 20-8 win over Dublin Jerome on May 13. Snyder, a freshman, who had taken over in the face off circle, also had 27 draw controls.
“As a team, we can’t win games with just one or two people,” McClelland said. “We need to involve everyone on the field in order to be successful. I really, really try my best to make sure everybody is getting involved. It’s something that, personally, I try to do in my game is being a threat both ways. I want to be able to take a hard drive and score on my own, but also see my teammates.”
A relationship that’s been so intertwined will diverge next year. McClelland is going to play at Notre Dame and Paz at Ohio State.
“I think Ellie is the most determined player,” Paz said. “When she has a goal or something on her mind that she wants to accomplish – she will not stop until she achieves it or reaches it. That’s something that I aspire to be more like. I just love her dedication. She works so hard.”