On May 28, the Rye High School Girls’ Lacrosse team defeated the Mamaroneck Tigers, ranked fourth in New York State, by a score of 13-9. The non-stop, heavy rain did nothing to dampen the fans’ enthusiasm at Nugent Stadium as the Garnets battled a talented Tigers team that had beaten them 15-11 a week earlier.

Head coach Michelle Mason said after the game, “This was definitely a pretty big upset, but we didn’t approach it that way. We showed in the last game that we could play with them. We did a much better job controlling the draw than we did last time, and that made a huge difference.”

When asked what she thought made the difference, midfielder Lilly Whaling said, “We had a great week of team bonding and practice, and we knew what we had to do to win. We have a close relationship as a team, and we worked really well together.” 

Goals from Ella Buckley, Mackenzie Chimento, Della Goodman, Ellie Hedges, Caroline Stevens, and Whaling, and assists from Hedges and Maren Wydra contributed to the win. Goalkeeper Sophie Brett saved seven, and Rye’s defense did an excellent job managing Mamaroneck’s top players.

Coach Mason said, “Our defense really clicked. Caroline [Stevens] on defense is always such a competitor, but she takes it to another level for big games. She even scored two goals, as a defender. And Audrey Porter, who usually plays as a midfielder, stepped up to play defense, and she did really great on the draw. She’s one of those players who is always ready to do whatever I ask of her.”

After a 13-1 win over Greeley June 1 and a tough 19-13 loss to Yorktown the following day, the Garnets were 9-6 on the season and in third place in the league.

The win against Mamaroneck was particularly special because the game was dedicated to the One Love Foundation, an organization that educates young people about the differences between healthy and unhealthy relationships. The foundation was created in memory of University of Virginia student and lacrosse player Yeardley Love, who was killed by her abusive boyfriend in 2010. Before the pre-game ceremony, Rye attacker Clare Verille explained how she became a team ambassador: “When I heard about the One Love Foundation and their mission, I decided I had to get involved and bring their message to Rye. I’m now trained to give workshops, and I hope to establish a Rye High School club next year, to educate kids about the signs of a healthy relationship, and how to identify and avoid abusive relationships.”

Verille, fellow junior attacker Katie Porter, and team manager Molly Richardson, sold T-shirts, handed out educational materials, and raised money at the game to benefit One Love. 

Audrey Porter being introduced in the starting lineup at the beginning of the game.