CHS girls’ lax team opens season at 2-1

After two decisive victories, 19-14 against Foxboro and 15-13 over Oliver Ames, the Canton High girls’ lacrosse team fell to Middleboro 13-4 to start the season off with a 2-1 record.

“The score shows it was really a tough game,” coach Chris Murtagh said of the game against Middleboro. “We started off close at the beginning, but then they started to run away with it.”

By the second half, Middleboro managed to break away and outrun Canton in many offensive pursuits. Goal scorers from Canton included junior captain Michelle McNeil with two, and one each from senior captain Sarah Healey and sophomore Meaghan McKenna.

The game was much closer in the Bulldogs’ win against Foxboro, with the lead going back and forth almost every time the ball moved up or down the field. And the cold weather and grass playing field resulted in the ball making strange bounces, which the Warriors were able to capitalize on.

“It seemed like one of those games where whoever had the last shot would be the victor,” Murtagh said. “But the end we started to turn up our game play and came away with the win.”

Sophomore Meghan Lennon finished the game as the team’s high scorer with seven goals. Healey was close behind, netting six. Other scorers included McKenna with two, and one each from McNeil, sophomores Jen Martin and Mary Lennon, and freshman Jackie Merrigan.

The Bulldogs performed similarly strong in the first game of the season against Oliver Ames.

Despite some first game jitters, the team established a strong lead before allowing some sloppy game play at the beginning of the second half provide a window for OA to capitalize on. But the Bulldogs managed to regroup and eke out a victory.

Healey and junior Emma Compagna finished the game with four goals each. McKenna followed closely behind with three goals, McNeil finished with two, and Merrigan and sophomore Amanda Crowley netted one goal apiece.

“We’re excited about starting the season after a tough spring,” Murtagh said. “The girls have been practicing really hard, even with the bad weather.”

Murtagh also noted the strong leadership already present from team captains Healey, McNeil and senior Julie Knochin. Looking ahead to the rest of the season, Murtagh said the team’s goal is to win the Davenport Division of the Hockomock League and perform well against Hanover and Cohasset, two new competitors on the team’s schedule this season.

“They’re both strong programs,” Murtagh said. “So it will be interesting to see how we perform in each game. It will hopefully be a good preview of postseason play.”

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Posted by Jeffrey Cattel on Apr 14 2011. Filed under High School, Sports. Both comments and pings are currently closed.