CHS girls lacrosse headed to playoffs despite 0-2 week

Just when it appeared as if their season might be finished, the CHS girls lacrosse team received new life last week thanks to a surprise berth in the upcoming MIAA south sectional tournament.

Senior Caitlin Hutchinson (Mike Barucci photo)

In the same week in which they lost two straight games and fell to 6-10 overall, the Bulldogs learned that they would still be invited to the dance by virtue of their record against league opponents, which was good enough for a top two finish in the Hockomock’s Davenport Division.

“We’re still alive,” acknowledged first-year head coach Bethany Compagna, who received the news last Monday prior to the girls’ Senior Night game against Norwood — an eventual 17-16 defeat at home.

Compagna said the game against the Mustangs was a “true heartbreaker,” ending with a Norwood goal deep into overtime in front of a big crowd of Bulldog supporters.

“It was just a great, great game,” said the Canton coach. “I would say it was probably one of our best-played games all season.”

Fittingly, 14 of the team’s 16 goals were scored by seniors, led by captains Mary McNeil with five and Christine Ward with four. Senior Erin Proctor also had a big game with three goals, while classmate Danielle Arthur chipped in with two. Junior Mary Nee registered the other two goals and also had four assists to add to her team-leading total.

After the game, Compagna thanked her players for a “tremendous performance” and also praised the contributions and leadership of her eight seniors, including captains Jackie Martin and Julia Mackie, as well as Caitlin Hutchinson and Kelsey Trerice.

Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, last Wednesday’s game at King Philip proved to be an entirely different story as the Warriors jumped out to a 10-2 halftime lead and never looked back, winning 17-8.

“Honestly, they just came out flat,” Compagna said of her squad, who seemed to struggle with the field conditions as well as KP’s swarming defense.

McNeil, the Bulldogs’ leading scorer, didn’t even register a single point as she faced constant double- and triple-teams and barely had a chance to get a pass off let alone get near the net for scoring chances.

Ward finished with a team-high three goals in the loss, while Casey Bradley and Olivia Devoe each had a pair of goals and an assist. Sophomore Mary Kent also scored for Canton and Hutchinson finished with one assist.

The Bulldogs were due to wrap up the regular season this week with a home game Tuesday against Milford and an away game Wednesday at Mansfield.

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Posted by Jay Turner on May 31 2015. Filed under High School, Sports. Both comments and pings are currently closed.