Girls Lacrosse: Pohmer sisters step into spotlight for Liberty
Sunday, April 21, 2024
By Jarrod Ulrey
julrey@cbussports.com
The Pohmer sisters, (from left) Madeline, Isabelle, and Eloise, are all starters for Olentangy Liberty this season. Photo: Kevin Rouch
One grade apart and standouts for the Olentangy Liberty girls lacrosse team throughout their prep careers, senior Isabelle Pohmer and her junior sister, Madeline Pohmer, already have enjoyed memorable times in the sport together at both the prep and club levels.
What they didn’t have much of – until this spring – were similar experiences with either of their other two siblings.
While their youngest sister, Katherine Pohmer, is only a sixth-grader who is beginning to gain experience in competitive lacrosse, their other sister, Eloise Pohmer, has become an immediate starter this spring despite being a freshman.
“It’s really fun playing with both (Isabelle and Eloise),” Madeline said. “I feel like playing with them, I’m able to get real, immediate feedback. When I’m playing with my sisters, they tell me exactly what I (need to improve on).
“I played one summer with (Eloise) in club because she played up and I was two years older than her, but this is my first year with her in a while. I was able to watch her throughout middle school, but it’s just fun to see her on the field and be able to pass with her.”
The Patriots broke through with their first Division I regional title last spring, eventually losing to Upper Arlington 14-10 in the state championship game to finish 21-3.
Although Liberty lost standouts Makenna Harrington and Lexi Bird, who are now playing for Florida and Stetson, respectively, it hasn’t taken a big step back – with much of the team’s success now centered around the two oldest Pohmers.
With a 15-10 victory over Hudson 15-10 in a non-league game April 20 in which Isabelle Pohmer scored six goals, the Patriots improved to 7-3 overall. They won their first two OCC-Central Division games in dominating fashion, defeating Hilliard Bradley 22-2 on March 20 and Hilliard Davidson 20-1 on April 9.
Then in a rematch of last year’s state final, the Patriots lost to UA 9-8 to drop to 2-1 in the league. Liberty also lost to the Golden Bears 14-12 in last year’s regular season.
In this year’s matchup with UA – which won its 11th state title last spring – sophomore Megan Benton scored two goals and both Isabelle and Madeline Pohmer were among six players to score one goal.
Liberty’s first two losses this spring were to out-of-state teams during a trip to Florida in March.
“You always expect (UA) to be great,” coach Tim Bosco said. “We have a lot of returnees, which helps, and I think our defense is better this year. We’ve played a pretty tough schedule. We are kind of young in spots.
Olentangy Liberty’s Madeline Pohmer (center) shoots through traffic during the Patriots’ 9-8 loss at Upper Arlington in an OCC-Central Division matchup April 16. Photo: Michael Rich
“I’m super proud that we’ve raised the expectations and raised the standard. We’ve got really good player leadership, really confident player leadership, and that’s allowed us to break through.”
The Pohmers’ father, Kevin Pohmer, grew up on the east coast where lacrosse’s popularity has been stable for decades. Their mother, Sarah Pohmer, also was an athlete in high school.
Isabelle Pohmer has committed to play for Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania, and Madeline has committed to play for Cornell in New York.
Both Isabelle and Madeline also ran at the state girls cross country meet last fall when the Patriots finished seventh.
In the offseason, the Pohmer sisters compete for the Long Island Top Guns club program.
The day after last year’s state girls lacrosse final, the Pohmers traveled east to begin competing at the club level.
“We just have a lot of talent on the team this year, so we’ve been working really well and we have a lot of athletes,” Isabelle Pohmer said. “Our team is really young, but I feel like we’ve been adjusting. Last year was our first time making it past the regional final, and it was just a really good team atmosphere. Everyone had the game goal in mind to make it to state, so I feel like that’s helped motivate everyone.
“It’s a lot of fun playing with my sisters. It’s my first time playing with Eloise on a team, but I’ve played with Madeline my whole life and I feel like we play really well together. As a team, I think a state championship is definitely within reach this year. That’s probably the end goal for me and the team.”
Olentangy Liberty’s Isabelle Pohmer (center) looks to pass during the Patriots’ 9-8 loss at Upper Arlington in an OCC-Central Division matchup April 16. Photo: Michael Rich
Isabelle Pohmer leads Liberty with 42 goals and 15 assists, junior Corinna Hilmas has 29 goals and 10 assists, Madeline Pohmer had 28 goals and nine assists and senior Brenna Heffernan had 16 goals and 27 assists. Heffernan is a Cincinnati commit.
Isabelle holds the program record for draw controls in a season and career, and last season during a 20-4 win over Olentangy Orange, she showed her offensive explosiveness by scoring seven goals.
Both Isabelle and Madeline play at midfielder, with Eloise starting at defender.
“(The Pohmers are) a pretty good story,” Bosco said. “Isabelle is a three-year starter and a really good on- and off-the-ball field leader. She really leads with her focus and her passion and effort. She’s definitely the leader of our offense and takes control when she needs to take control. She’s just an extremely smart player. Madeline is an unbelievable player, the MVP of my team last year because she does everything.
“The lacrosse IQ is off the charts with all three of them. You never know how a freshman is going to be, but Eloise has an incredible IQ and is definitely one of our best defenders as a freshman. She has the benefit of having two older sisters.”
According to Madeline Pohmer, one thing the Patriots have been working on is staying consistent throughout games. Her role has changed slightly from seeing action on the defensive side of the midfield to using her dodging and offensive creative skills this spring.
Eloise Pohmer began competing in lacrosse in kindergarten and plays on defense for both the Patriots and at the club level.
“Having my sisters be on the team helps a lot,” Eloise said. “We’re all pretty athletic and all pretty tall. When you see us on the field, we’re all fast and move the ball really quickly. We have a good relationship off the field and on the field. I always would go to every one of my sisters’ games growing up. Since I was little, it was always my goal to play with them. We’re always practicing stickwork and running together.
“It was a bit overwhelming (starting on varsity) at first, but the team has done a great job including me. It’s going to go really well because we’re a really close team and we have so much going for us.”
Olentangy Liberty’s Eloise Pohmer (10) looks to clear during the Patriots’ 9-8 loss at Upper Arlington in an OCC-Central Division matchup on April 16. Photo: Michael Rich