CHS girls lacrosse team rolls into D2 state tournament
By Jay Turner
The CHS girls lacrosse team has lots to smile about after wrapping up a 14-win regular season. (Mike Tureski photo)
There are plenty of good vibes surrounding the CHS girls lacrosse team as the Bulldogs roll into the Division 2 state tournament fresh off two strong nonleague victories and winners of eight of their last nine.
If there is one thing to nitpick about, it’s their relatively light schedule, which explains their No. 22 position in the power rankings despite a stellar 14-3 overall record. However, they certainly seem to have hit on a formula that works, and they are fired up and ready for the challenge of the postseason, according to head coach Casey Bradley.
“I had no expectation when it comes to our record, but it’s been really awesome to see them succeed,” said the first-year coach. “My preseason expectations were that the girls were going to give their best every day, work hard and get better throughout the season as a team. I wouldn’t say that aspect has changed much. They continue to work together and succeed.”
In their most recent two wins, the Bulldogs looked focused and sharp as they outdueled Norwood 16-8 and Quincy on the road 13-8. Senior goalie Elyse Broderick was sensational in both wins, racking up over 20 combined saves, while junior midfielder Emily McCabe once again powered the offense with a combined eight goals and four assists. Junior Ella Yeaton also had another big week and sophomore Devan Spinale was a force against Norwood (5g, 1a).
The game against Norwood had added meaning for the Bulldogs as the night doubled as a fundraiser for the O’Keefe family in memory of the late John O’Keefe, a Canton resident and Boston Police veteran who was struck by a vehicle and killed on the evening of January 29. O’Keefe had been the primary caretaker for his niece and nephew and Bradley was their longtime babysitter.
“That game meant more than I can put into words,” noted Bradley. “I loved Johnny, simply put. I explained to the girls pregame that Johnny was the kind of person that put people above him; he worried about himself last. I told them to play like he lived his life: a total team player and putting others ahead of him. The girls played their hearts out.”
Bradley said the team has been particularly strong defensively over the past several weeks, led by the stellar play of Broderick and senior Tess Khoury, who Bradley pegged as two of the Bulldogs’ regular season MVPs along with Emily McCabe.
Overall, Bradley said she is thrilled with how her first season as a coach has turned out. “I’m proud that we made the state tournament,” she said. “I want and expect the girls to go out and play how they have the whole year. They always step up when they need to. If they believe in themselves, like their coaches have believed in them all season, they will succeed.”
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Posted by Jay Turner
on Jun 3 2022. Filed under High School, Sports.
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