A sixth-ranked Holy Child lacrosse team upset Rye Country Day School during the quarterfinal of the New York State Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS) tournament May 20 before topping seventh-ranked Fieldston 19-11 at home last Monday.
By Melanie Cane
A sixth-ranked Holy Child lacrosse team upset Rye Country Day School during the quarterfinal of the New York State Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS) tournament May 20 before topping seventh-ranked Fieldston 19-11 at home last Monday.
The Gryphons’ 12-9 quarterfinal win at RCDS was incredible for several reasons. It’s only the second time Holy Child has made the post-season lacrosse playoffs.
Third-ranked RCDS was a strong favorite since Holy Child finished sixth in its eight-team League. And the last time the Wildcats faced Holy Child, they trounced the Gryphons, 21-10. Holy Child and RCDS were evenly matched in what turned out to be a rollercoaster game.
Holy Child Coach Charles Sliter credited the win over RCDS to outstanding performances by goalkeeper Alexis Lange, a junior who had 12 saves; sophomore midfield Maggie Welsh; senior co-captain Helen Brosnan; Elizabeth McCooey, a junior who scored three goals on attack; and Lily Dennis, a freshman midfielder who scored the final goal.
Against Fieldston, senior co-captain Charlotte Elcock scored eight goals; McCooey scored a season-high five goals; Welsh netted three and Brosnan added two. Goalie Lange snared eight saves.
“Whatever happens, this team has already made Holy Child history,’’ Sliter said.
In post-season lacrosse, Holy Child had won just one playoff game before, back in 2009. This month, as the 6th seed out of eight teams, the Gryphons were shocked but thrilled to make it to the finals.
On Wednesday, Holy Child lost a heartbreaking game against Hackley, 13-6, in the championship at Manhattanville.
Senior captain Charlotte Elcock scored five goals in the loss, giving her a Holy Child school record –105 points. Elcock broke the 2009 record of 101 points set by Hadley Duncan, who is now a junior on the Division III National Championship lacrosse team at Trinity College.
