101 goals: Lehi senior Camree Kenison hits scoring century mark as Pioneer girls lacrosse beats AF in 6A first round
-
- Lehi senior Camree Kenison shoots a shot during the 6A first round game against American Fork in Lehi on Tuesday, May 14, 2024.
-
- Lehi senior Camree Kenison (right) hugs freshman Kylie Johnson after the 6A first round game against American Fork in Lehi on Tuesday, May 14, 2024.
-
- Lehi senior Camree Kenison brings the ball up the field during the 6A first round game against American Fork in Lehi on Tuesday, May 14, 2024.
-
- Lehi and American Fork players battle for the ball during the 6A first round game in Lehi on Tuesday, May 14, 2024.
-
- Lehi players celebrate after the 6A first round game against American Fork in Lehi on Tuesday, May 14, 2024.
-
- The Lehi keeper makes a save during the 6A first round game against American Fork in Lehi on Tuesday, May 14, 2024.
-
- Lehi and American Fork players battle for the ball during the 6A first round game in Lehi on Tuesday, May 14, 2024.
-
- Lehi freshman Tilly Poulton (8) runs up the field during the 6A first round game against American Fork in Lehi on Tuesday, May 14, 2024.
-
- American Fork keeper Abygail Coston makes a save during the 6A first round game at Lehi on Tuesday, May 14, 2024.
-
- Lehi and American Fork players battle for the ball during the 6A first round game in Lehi on Tuesday, May 14, 2024.
-
- American Fork freshman Claire Corbridge (center) tries to evade defenders during the 6A first round game at Lehi on Tuesday, May 14, 2024.
-
- American Fork freshman Claire Corbridge (left) shoots a shot during the 6A first round game at Lehi on Tuesday, May 14, 2024.
As a sophomore at Lehi in 2021-22, Camree Kenison ran track and cross country but found herself wanting something different.
“I’d done it for a long time and I love the people,” she said. “They are my best friends. But it kind of stunk for me.”
So she decided to start running in a different sport, girls lacrosse, and found a home.
“I like to run after a ball,” Kenison said. “I love the teamwork and the girls and the practices. Lacrosse is the best. I love it.”
Her athleticism gave her an edge and she started having success for the Pioneers.
“What makes her so good is her work ethic and the fact that she doesn’t give up,” Lehi head coach Taylor Siri said. “She is awesome on and off the field. She’s a leader and she’s like a good friend to all the girls on the team, but she definitely holds herself accountable.
“She’s always running outside of practice. Before every game, she runs a mile. And she’s always shooting. That work outside of practice shows. She’s like a dream player. Every coach wants one like her.”
Fast forward from Kenison’s initial days to Tuesday’s 16-5 6A first-round win over Region 3 rival American Fork at Lehi. That was when she notched her 100th career goal — and added one more just for good measure.
While that tally is very impressive, Kenison is quick to shrug off the idea that scoring so much makes her some sort of extra-special player.
“Quite frankly I think anybody can do it,” she said. “I just love playing. The reality of the game is sometimes it’s tough. Last week was a really rough week and I had to take a step back and realize that like I’m not just a lacrosse player. I’m so much more than a lacrosse player. It’s just a part of me. I think that’s where success comes from is knowing that you’re so much more than one thing.”
But Lehi has come to rely on Kenison to create and finish opportunities around the net.
The senior put in half of her team’s goals (eight) in the win over the Cavemen that kept its season alive — and might’ve had more if not for some excellent saves from American Fork senior keeper Abygail Coston.
“She’s naturally a playmaker,” Siri said. “She gets those reps in outside of practice to be able to make big plays.”
The Pioneers surged to an early lead but American Fork stayed close enough to be dangerous. But every time the Cavemen made a push, Kenison seemed to find a way to get a big goal.
“Those are my favorite moments,” Kenison said. “To have momentum the whole game is honestly the goal but when you come back from not having momentum, that the fun part. You can come back from a failure. That’s the best part of success.”
Even though Lehi had handled American Fork in both region matches, the Pioneers knew they couldn’t get complacent.
“I was very nervous,” Kenison said. “It’s the playoffs. And it doesn’t matter how much you are up because they can always come back really fast. We just tried to work together as a team. We’ve been working on having good team chemistry, so it was fun.”
The swarming Lehi defense made it tough for the Cavemen to find openings offensively, eventually providing scoring chances for Kenison and the Pioneer offense.
“Our defenses really stepped up and has been able to work as a unit,” Siri said. “Our team unity especially on the defensive side has been big and then we’re a very attack-heavy team. Camree does score a lot of our goals but we also have a lot of other playmakers as well. Working as a team has helped us this year.”
Winning on Tuesday means that Lehi, the No. 15-seed, gets to advance to the second round to face No. 2-seeded Fremont. The Pioneers know they are going to be on the road against a good opponent but are looking forward to the challenge.
“I just want to have fun,” Kenison said. “I feel like as long as the team has fun, we work together and we just play better. I want us to compete with the other team. I think they should be ready, because we’re definitely going to give them a fight.”
Lehi is scheduled to take on the Silverwolves in Plain City on Thursday at 4 p.m. with a spot in the 6A quarterfinals on the line.
