READING — When the time lastly got here to return to the apply area for tryouts this previous spring, Kate Leone lastly was in a position to breathe a sigh of aid.
The Reading ladies lacrosse star had spent months working her approach again from a sequence of left knee accidents, most notably a torn ACL and meniscus. Now following two surgical procedures, the senior and her teammates have this system off to considered one of its finest begins in class historical past at 14-1.
“It felt amazing,” stated Leone. “I was a little nervous at first, because tearing your ACL is a big deal. I think it’s more of a mental game than it is physical. It just felt good to get back out there with my teammates, and make an impact.”
A DePauw girls’s lacrosse commit, Leone (25 objectives, eight assists) has confirmed to be a Swiss Army knife for the Rockets, as has St. Michael’s commit Julia Barbato (27 objectives, 23 assists). Meanwhile, the Rockets have been fueled offensively by a trio of sophomore sensations with Libby Quinn (45 objectives, 18 assists), Megan Shanahan (32 objectives, 17 assists) and Molly Trahan (31 objectives, 5 assists) all having breakout campaigns.
“We have a list of goals,” stated Leone. “I think we’ve done a great job with checking them off, but there’s still a few left on our list. We’d love to make it all the way.”
Sam Maher, a senior captain, has shored issues up on the defensive finish for Reading.
“I just think everyone on the team is a threat,” Maher stated. “I think we have a lot of depth, and not a lot of other teams (can say) that.”
Rachel Monroe has served as head coach at Reading since 2013. During the final decade, her groups have had their justifiable share of success. The Rockets reached the Div. 1 North semifinals in 2019 (a 12-11 loss to Marblehead) beneath the previous MIAA playoff system. Reading adopted issues up by embarking on a run to the North semifinals once more in 2021, solely to falter to rival Chelmsford with an 11-7 loss.
Last season, the Rockets noticed their marketing campaign finish within the Div. 1 Round of 16 by the hands of Walpole (an 11-6 loss June 11). Yet, there was a sudden resurgence for this group in latest weeks.
“They’re motivated,” Monroe stated. “But they’re calm, humble, hardworking. So, they’re motivated, they want to do well. They want to win, but they get nervous, playing teams that beat them the previous year. We just focus a lot about mental toughness, preparation for the opponent, and taking it one play at a time, one game at a time, one half at a time. Trying not to look too much into the future.”
On April 24, the Rockets had a chance for revenge towards the Timberwolves, and so they succeeded of their endeavors as Reading dealt Walpole a convincing 16-9 defeat. It was an announcement victory, and a defining second for this system.
“I think it was a huge win,” stated Leone. “I think we went out there, and we showed them what Reading girls lacrosse is capable of doing, and that we are a contender in the state.”
As of this previous Friday, Reading was seeded third total within the MIAA’s Div. 1 energy rankings with a ranking of 13.9499. The Rockets have additionally been propelled by the efficiency of junior Caroline Jadul (39 objectives, seven assists).
“I don’t want to speak too soon,” stated Monroe. “But we have high hopes for the postseason. But you never know, (when it comes) to the postseason.”
Reading will look to shut issues out in type because it takes on Middlesex League rivals Burlington, Arlington and Winchester earlier than capping the common season with a recreation towards North Andover. Then, the Rockets will look to finish their final aim of profitable a Div. 1 state championship.
“I think we just want to come out every game and show them what we can do,” stated Leone. “I think everybody is a threat on offense. Our defense is phenomenal. Our goalies are great, and we just keep on playing like we do. That’s all we can ask for, just keep on playing, and giving it our all.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com