Holy Child Lacrosse

By Melanie Cane

Holy Child’s Lacrosse team pummeled St. Luke’s 18-7 on April 12 for their fourth win a row. Early in the game, the teams played evenly. The Storm scored the first goal and the Gryphons had several shots that St. Luke’s goalie saved. Twelve minutes into the half, Olivia Bonner scored on a bounce shot from the left side of the goal. St. Luke’s interfered with a pass at the Gryphons’ goal and scored on a breakaway.

Down 2-1, Holy Child tied it up on a shot by Lila Pfohl from in front of the goal and took the lead on a free shot by Maddie Warne. Then Holy Child goalie Symone Ryans made two beautiful saves and Pfohl scored again on a perfect pass from Molly Semprevivo.

After Holy Child’s fourth goal, St. Luke’s called a timeout with eleven minutes left in the half. A few minutes of frenetic play ensued. Both teams had multiple steals, but neither team scored.

Gryphon coach Catherine Conway called a timeout and the team returned to the field much more composed and cohesive. With 5:30 left in the half, Ryan Delane scored on a pass from Warne. Then Bonner scored off a crease roll. Warne shot over the goal before Emily Panarella ran the ball from midfield into the goal. With seconds left in the half, Bonner shot off the post, but then scored a free shot. In a stunning play, Delane spun around her defender to score with less than a second on the clock.

Holy Child took a 9-2 lead into the second half. The Storm quickly tacked on one, but Charlotte Brosnan answered with a free shot. Gryphon Molly Mackie scored by charging the net and St. Luke’s answered on a steal. Up 11-4, the Gryphons scored twice before St. Luke’s responded. Then Bonner scored on a penalty shot, Delane beat her defender, and Pfohl scored on a free shot. Margaret Scala scored by scooping up the ball that Warne knocked out of her opponent’s stick.

Bonner ended the game with five goals, and Ryan Delane and Lila Pfohl both scored three. Goalie Symone Ryans had nine saves. Senior co-captain Charlotte Brosnan won six out of nine draws. Fellow co-captain Charlotte Wertimer said this was the best game the team has played so far. “We played a really tight defense and became more of a unit which helped us win most of our draws.”

Coach Conway was impressed with how well the team came together after a slow start. “I called a timeout and told the girls to settle down. That was the turning point of the game.” She thought the defense, especially Wertimer and Ryans, had a fantastic game. “They held the double team really well and got the charging calls.” She added, “This was a solid team win. We are a really young team and today we clicked.”

Maddie Warne running the ball downfield.

Senior co-captain Charlotte Brosnan

Lila Pfohl, coming in for the kill, scored three against St. Luke’s.

Emma McCuin with the pass