EVANSTON — Loyola girls lacrosse coach John Dwyer knows New Trier senior Charlotte McGuire’s game as well as anybody.
Dwyer is a cousin of McGuire’s father, Danny McGuire, and he said he helped teach her how to play the sport.
“She really transitioned from being a small, thin freshman, which is normal, to a complete player, particularly the last two years,” Dwyer said. “She’s an adept all-around player who is very dangerous to go up against.”
McGuire proved on June 6 at Northwestern’s Lakeside Field, although her five goals weren’t enough in the team’s 12-8 loss to the Ramblers in the state final. New Trier was the state’s runner-up for the second time in three seasons.
“You have to know where she is on offense all of the time,” said Dwyer, who also matched up against McGuire in the 2012 state final.
McGuire won a consolation prize earlier this season when she scored three goals in the Trevians’ 8-7 victory over the Ramblers on April 30. It was New Trier’s first victory against Loyola since the 2008 title game.
“That meant a lot to me,” McGuire said. “It got us all pumped up, and it gave us confidence going forward.”
A three-year varsity starter, McGuire is the latest in a long line of talented players to suit up for the Trevians, who ended the season 22-1-1. The Marquette-bound attacker scored a team-high 63 goals and recently was selected to first team all-state after being honored on the second team as a junior.
New Trier coach Pete Collins talked up his star player’s prowess on the field, but he spent much of his time praising her presence off the field.
“She’s a super kid, unselfish,” Collins said. “The whole team was one, but she was our leader. She’s a special kid, and we are proud of her.”