Friday May 13 was a lucky day for Holy Child’s lacrosse team and an unlucky day for their Rye Country Day opponents.
By Melanie Cane
Friday May 13 was a lucky day for Holy Child’s lacrosse team and an unlucky day for their Rye Country Day opponents. This game was important for both teams because the winner would take the fourth seed in the FAA tournament, but the loser would not qualify for the tournament.
Both teams shared the disadvantage of playing in a torrential downpour. The Wildcats had the home field advantage but the disadvantage of missing two of their star players, Taylor Regan and Charlotte Cooper. Earlier in the week Regan surpassed the 200 goals and 100 assists milestone. Despite the difficult conditions, both teams played their hearts out, but the Gryphons came out on top 16-14.
The Gryphons won the first draw control and Brigid Hans scored off the draw. That early goal energized the whole team. They were first to ground balls and defended the ride and transition superbly, quickly jumping ahead 5-1.
The Wildcats struggled to adjust to their positions without two key players, but they caught up to the Gryphons tying the game at six. In the last few minutes of the half, Holy Child players put their foot on the gas scoring two successive goals before halftime.
The teams traded goals in the second half. In the end, the Wildcats could not penetrate the Gryphons’ strong defense enough to make up their two-goal deficit.
Hans was named MVP of the game. She led the scoring with six goals and had 11 draw controls. Coach Catherine Conway said she was invaluable on every part of the field: scoring, winning the draw, and blocking shots. The coach also gave a lot of credit to Charlotte Brosnan who scored four goals. “She is coming into her own as a player and is confident all over the field. I am excited for her leadership as a senior next year.” The Wildcats’ top scorer was freshman Ashley Manning with four.
Coach Conway and senior Dulce DelPriore credited the defensive unit with shutting down the one-on-one plays. Maired Walsh led the defense. “She was calm and collected.” Goalie Maggie Semprevivo made some tremendous saves and Charlotte Wertimer blocked the goal.
Offensively, the attack was patient and they dominated on draw controls. Senior Madi Warne who hit the century mark in goals and assists last week led the attack. She said, “We were looking forward to that game all season and it was such a great win.” Coach Conway added, “I was very proud of the fight. It was a solid team effort.”
The win propelled the Gryphons to the FAA tournament on May 16, where they lost to top seed Greenwich Academy 10-9. After being down 7-3 at halftime they turned it around in the second half by winning some big draw controls. They got within one goal of Greenwich in the last 30 seconds of the game.
“It was a great showing by everyone and we hope to keep that energy and intensity going all the way through to NYSAIS,” said DelPriore.
