Grosse Pointe Woods -- Girls lacrosse powerhouse Grosse Pointe South had no trouble beating host University Liggett 22-5 on April 16 to move to 4-0 under first-year Head Coach Lauren Germaine.

The Blue Devils raced to an 8-0 lead and never looked back against the Knights. The score was 11-3 at halftime. South added 11 more goals in the second half as nine Blue Devils found the back of the net during the game. Senior Anna Shepard scored seven goals. Junior Christine Greiner, sophomore Katherine Palms, and junior Molly Smith each scored three goals. Sophomore Lindsey Thibodeau scored twice. Senior Ashley Thibodeau had a goal and three assists. Sophomore Melanie Parke, senior Anna Basse, and senior Michelle Martinelli each added a goal for South.

Jacqueline Nichols and Liz Smith both scored two goals for Liggett (2-3).

South is coming off what some would call a disappointing season. After winning four-straight state championships from 2003 to 2006, the Blue Devils lost to South Lyon 9-8 in regional action last year. Last season was the first season without Michigan lacrosse coaching legend Deb Pavle at the helm. Pavle left South after her last championship to take the athletic director position at another lacrosse power, Bloomfield Hills Academy of the Sacred Heart. Sacred Heart won their third straight Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 2 championship last year.

Germaine took the reins this season and looks to guide South back to the championship with a talented, senior-laden team. Germaine attended Birmingham Seaholm and played for the Birmingham United team that won the state championship in 2000.

South beat Birmingham United 8-6 on April 7 in Germaine's first game against her old team. Birmingham is the defending MHSAA Division 1 champion. South also has wins over Brighton and Troy Athens.

The Blue Devils face Ann Arbor Pioneer on Monday (April 21) at home.