Out in one of winter’s last blasts, the Garnets beat the Byram Hills Bobcats, 11-6, in their home opening lacrosse game March 30
By Kevin LaManna
Out in one of winter’s last blasts, the Garnets beat the Byram Hills Bobcats, 11-6, in their home opening lacrosse game March 30. The girls were fresh off a 19-point victory. They carried that momentum straight into Nugent Stadium for the impressive showing in the home opener. The rout marked a triumphant return for Coach Dennis Hurley to the girls’ varsity program at Rye. “For an opening night at home under the lights, it was a great job, a great jumping off point for the season.’’
Midway through the first half, the Garnets led 5-1, and they continued to pound the Bobcats as the clock ran on. Rye rarely allowed the Byram Hills squad to clear the ball from its defensive zone, keeping the pressure on with superior ball control and successful play calling.
In the second half, the visiting Bobcats managed a 4-0 scoring streak, but the effort was too little, too late. The Garnets varsity squad led in all aspects of the game, from the draws to a suffocating defense.
Junior Scarlett Sulliman, who scored twice, said she was thrilled with her first game home after her return from boarding school in Arizona. “It’s a great program, and it was a joint effort where everyone flowed.”
Captain Tori Virtue scored a staggering seven goals, not to mention racking up countless draws and assists. “It’s an exciting way to start the season,’’ the senior said. “We have another senior-dominated team with a lot of great leadership.”
Photos by Melanie Cane