For the primary time in just a few years, the lady’s lacrosse panorama feels settled.
The season was cancelled by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, impacted by the pandemic in 2021 and restructured by the swap to a state-wide, four-division format final yr.
This season brings familiarity with the brand new system, and the main target shifts in direction of the standard participant and coach turnover that happens yearly. Still, many acquainted squads are projected to have lengthy postseason runs.
Westwood is the defending Div. 1 state champion, defeating Wellesley 16-1 within the title recreation. The Wolverines misplaced important expertise from final season, however some key returning gamers are seniors Ava Connaughton, Lil Hancock, Kella McGrail and goaltender Riley Harrington.
“I think we have a lot of returners who know what it takes to get to the state championship and the amount of work it takes, and then newcomers who are ready and willing and everyone’s trying to find their spot,” Westwood coach Margot Spatola mentioned. “I think what we’re working on right now is really kind of finding our flow and working together.”
Wellesley is trying to avenge the championship loss and counting on a mixture of confirmed veterans and unproven underclassmen to fill the outlet created by 5 graduated seniors. Coach Steve Balter listed sophomore Kaitlyn Fuller, and seniors Jess LaPlaca and Taylor Read as gamers he expects to have impactful seasons.
“We want to get better every day and we want to be playing our best lacrosse in June and be the best version of ourselves,” Balter mentioned. “It’ll be exciting to see that because we are not only young, but also an interesting mix and a lot of talented kids.”
Some different applications to observe in Div. 1 are Franklin, Central Catholic, Lincoln-Sudbury, Walpole and Concord-Carlisle.
In Div. 2, Notre Dame Academy (Hingham) stays the group to beat after outscoring groups 76-11 in match play to take residence the championship. The group graduated 5 key seniors however expects important contributions from sophomore Emma Connerty, and seniors Alexa Kenney, Reilly Walsh and goaltender Maggie Donahue.
“We’re definitely young,” coach Meredith Frank McGinnis mentioned. “We’re trying to fill leadership roles and figure out adjustments on the field and strategy and are taking it day by day.”
Other groups to observe in Div. 2 are Duxbury, Wayland and Bedford.
In Div. 3, Medfield and Cohasset performed to a aggressive 11-9 state ultimate that went the way in which of the Warriors. Medfield’s quest to defend will function many new faces, because the group appears to be like to exchange 11 seniors, however seniors Alex Blake and Chloe Shield, together with juniors Alex Proefrock and Kelly Blake, will prepared the ground.
“The amount that we’ve grown in two weeks, I can only imagine how much we’re going to grow over the season,” Medfield coach Mary Laughna mentioned. “I’m feeling pretty good about this team and how well they’re learning things and how well they’re starting to put things together.”
On the opposite facet is Cohasset, which has a brand new head coach in Billy Bitter, and a bunch of veterans, together with goaltender Aizza Chase, Kara Fulton, Reese Hansen, Avery Regan, Alexis Donovan and Laney Larsen, trying to enhance on final season.
“Catching and throwing and doing it sort of without mistakes is something that these girls have done a nice job at,” Bitter mentioned. “Chemistry wise, a lot of these girls have been playing together for a couple years and kind of know each other’s tendencies, when to get through one another.”
Other groups to search for in Div. 3 are Weston and Newburyport.
The Div. 4 ultimate noticed Dover-Sherborn defeat Manchester-Essex. However, semifinalist Sandwich is trying to take a step up after reaching a state semifinal for the primary time in program historical past. Leading the cost for the Blue Knights will likely be Ryann Cobban, Riley Morrison and 5 different returning starters from final season.
“We’re a very balanced team with seven out of 12 returning starters for me,” coach Kelsey Beaton mentioned “That was the furthest that Sandwich lacrosse has ever made it and it’s great to have had so many kids be present for that and get a feel for it. It shows them that they can do it, because they did do it.”
Another group to observe in Div. 4 will likely be Nantucket, which additionally fell in a state semifinal.
Players to observe
Alex Blake (Medfield)
Kelly Blake (Medfield)
Alexa Kenney (Notre Dame Academy)
Reilly Walsh (Notre Dame Academy)
Ava Connaughton (Westwood)
Riley Harrington (Westwood)
Lil Hancock (Westwood)
Bailey Lower (Nantucket)
Brigid Welch (Walpole)
Charlotte Wymes (Bishop Feehan)
Ella Szymanski (Newton South)
Ellie Wall (Duxbury)
Emma Dacey (Hopkinton)
Jamie Tanner (Franklin)
Kaitlyn Carney (Franklin)
Laney Larsen (Cohasset)
Kara Fulton (Cohasset)
Maddie McDonald (Norwell)
Ryann Cobban (Sandwich)
Kaitlyn Fuller (Wellesley)
Jess LaPlaca (Wellesley)
Source: www.bostonherald.com