One Up, One Down Last Week for CCHS Girls Lax

The following information was provided on behalf of CCHS Girls Lacrosse.

Patriots Pull Away From Wildcats 16-12

Junior Captain Allie Barrett scored two goals and added four assists, while Sophomore Lexi Goodhue punched in  five goals as Concord-Carlisle defeated Dual County League Small rival Weston 16-12 on Thursday.

The Patriots broke out with  a fast run early as Allie Barrett, Becca Olsen, Jenna Carlton, Emma Mahoney and Lexi Goodhue all found the back of Weston’s net within the first seven minutes of the game while the Wildcats scrambled to only  muster a goal making it a 5-1 game. But Weston found their game winning the next seven draw controls and fought back to bring the game back within one  goal. In an attempt to change the Wildcat’s momentum CC increased their physical play only to result in multiple fouls and Wildcat  free positions but over time CC narrowed the play.

The game remained tight for the following 10 minutes as CC defenders Senior Lucy Fell and Freshman Johannah O ‘Neil battled hard for turnovers and ground balls while Senior Halle Burns and Freshman Brianna Stout continued their physical type game. Both teams pecked away a goal at a time as Barrett, Olsen and Mahoney added goals at one end of the field, but with less than two minutes remaining in the half the Wildcats would took advantage of a key  draw control followed by a CC turnover to tie the game at seven apiece.

"I was happy to see the team come out of the gate with more confidence than they did two days ago" said Coach Paul Morrison. " We dominated early, but then had a mental lapse from the mid point of the first  half allowing Weston to tie the game by half time. That breakdown was a true sign of our youth and inexperience."

The second half began much like the end of the first half as Weston won two consecutive draw controls, transitioned well down field and and scored. But just as it appeared the Wildcats might pull away, CC took over going on a five-goal run as Sophomore Attack Lexi Goodhue dropped in three goals from around the crease with two assists coming from Allie Barrett and one from Jenna Carlton. Freshmen Hannah Dudley would add another goal along with Senior Kate Wyeth who made a strong drive and shot on net. Sophomore Attack Jenna Carlton would add her second goal of the game taking advantage of a free position shot.

Defensively, senior Captain Goalie Maddie Holmes tightened in net, making several fine saves and a total of six on the day. CC’s second-half momentum came as a result of  regaining draw controls, ground balls and caused turnovers as Junior Emma Mahoney( 4 draw controls),  Senior Halle Burns and Junior Allie Barrett (three ground balls each) and Kate Wyeth and Becca Olsen (1 forced turnover each) helped lead the way.

The Wildcats attempted to claw their way back into the game however CC would maintain its edge outscoring Weston in the final 10 minutes with two CC goals to every Weston one.

According to Morrison the team is a work in progress.

"Our performance was inconsistent but the kids never stop working to improve, and they turned it on at the end to secure the victory," he said. "I was very happy for two of my seniors, Goalie Maddie Holmes and Defender Lucy Fell. Maddie was the backup goalie last year and saw limited action but she has upped her game and embraced the starter's role. Lucy suffered a knee injury in the fall of her junior year and missed last season, but she had a breakout game against Weston causing them to turn the ball over five times"  

CC Up Ended by Westford Academy

On Saturday evening, the Patriots faced CC Division 1 North power Westford Academy at Doug White Field, and lost a hotly contested game by a score of 12-7.

The Gray Ghosts of Westford jumped out to an early lead scoring successive goals, but CC was able to chip away closing the gap with  a score of 5-3 the end of the half before Westford scored with seconds left to go up six to three.

"The last offensive and defensive series of the half was a killer for us" said Morrison. "We had the ball settled in their end to set up the last shot of the half, but turned it over with 30 seconds left and they transitioned it down the field and scored. Instead of going into the half down one with the momentum, we are down six to three. Westford is a team dominated by upperclassmen and they capitalized in key moments." 

CCHS continued to battle drawing within one goal to make the score 8-7 at the 12:32 mark of the second half. But the veteran laden Westford squad withstood the CCHS push and held on for a 12-7 win.

Junior Captain Allie Barrett had a strong performance for CC chipping in two goals and three assist. Junior midfielder Emma Mahoney had two goals and one assist for the Patriots. Senior Captain Kate Wyeth, Sophomore Lexi Goodhue, and Freshman Hannah Dudley each had one goal to round out the scoring for Concord Carlisle. Senior Lucy Fell (6 ground ball pick ups) and Freshman Johanna O'Neil (3 ground ball pick ups and 1 caused turnover) bolstered a defense that was led by Senior Halle Burns who did an outstanding job shutting down Westford's top scorer, and DCL All Star Bailey Mongillo. Goalie Maddie Holmes, a senior captain, was strong in net with nine saves. 

Despite the loss Morrison was positive about his team's performance.

"We played our best game of the young season against a highly rated opponent. Our team stayed composed in high intensity situations," he said. "As the season progresses and we mature as a team we will put together a great performance for the entire fifty minutes of play, which is something that we have not done yet, but are striving to achieve."

The Patriots return to action on Tuesday, April 9 and Wednesday, April 10 with home contests against DCL Small Division rivals Wayland and Bedford.