Girls’ lax battles Mansfield to season-opening draw
By Jay TurnerIt was an exciting start to the season for the CHS girls’ lacrosse team as the Bulldogs salvaged a draw with a strong second half against Mansfield last Wednesday.
Trailing 12-9 at halftime, Canton outscored Mansfield 8-5 the rest of the way on the Hornets’ home field, capped off by Mary McNeil’s game-tying goal with only 45 seconds remaining in the contest to make it 17-17.
“Even when we were down, we never gave up,” said a satisfied head coach Chris Murtagh after the game. “It shows that our team has a lot of character — there’s no quit to it.”
Murtagh said the girls made some fundamental errors early on and it “looked like it was going to be a long afternoon.” However, they managed to settle down and slowly chipped away at the Hornet lead, led by senior captain Jackie Merrigan, who finished with a team-high six goals.
Merrigan, the team’s starting center, is coming off a 55-goal season and will be counted on to shoulder the offensive load this season in the absence of 2013 leading scorer Meghan Lennon.
The Bulldogs also boast two talented scorers up front in McNeil and Sam Sullivan, and both had a big game last week with four goals apiece. Kellie Stigas (2 goals) and Caitlin Hutchinson (1 goal) will also be looked upon to contribute offensively, as will senior captains Shannon Proctor and Sam Nolte.
On defense, the Bulldogs feature a solid core of veterans, led by Jackie Martin, Rebecca Wysocki, and Julia Mackie. The team also added a new goalie, freshman Katherine Doody, who earned the start last week and will likely share time with last year’s starter, junior Isabelle Hegland.
Murtagh said he has high hopes for this year’s group and expects to be in the mix for a division title.
“It will be an interesting season for us,” said the veteran coach. “Our goal is to contend for the Davenport Division and then take it from there.”
This week, the Bulldogs had two games scheduled: Monday at Attleboro and Wednesday at home versus Sharon. The squad then heads to Oliver Ames on Monday, April 14, followed by games against Ursuline Academy next Wednesday and Milford at home next Thursday.
Short URL: https://www.thecantoncitizen.com/?p=24999
Posted by Jay Turner
on Apr 10 2014. Filed under High School, Sports.
Both comments and pings are currently closed.
