Patriots Nipped by Tomahawks

The following was provided on behalf of Concord-Carlisle High School girls varsity lacrosse.

The Concord Carlisle girls lacrosse team fell just short Saturday in a close contest to last years Division 1 state finalist, Algonquin, 12-11. Senior Captain Kate Wyeth led the Patriots with 3 goals and 1 assist while Juniors Becca Olsen and Emma Mahoney each collected 3 goals.

With continued injuries to three veteran starters, Coach Paul Morrison needed to rely heavily on his five freshmen players including Cassidy Hale, Brianna Stout, Madeline Leahy, Johanna O’Neil and Center Hannah Dudley, all of whom battled mightily and showed great composure in a very close match.

Patriot Sophomore Goalie Conley Ernst had a standout game in net. Ernst continually made save after save helping to keep CC in the game while her infectious enthusiasm helped rally her teammates. Ernst collected  a season high 11 saves while earning a 50 percent goals against average.

Turnovers were the main culprit for CC as Algonquin applied high pressure much of the game forcing the Patriots to drop balls and rush passes in their midfield transition game. Algonquin took advantage of two Patriot yellow cards by scoring two goals in the second half.

The Patriots battled back from a one goal 8-7 halftime deficit to take a 9-8 lead as Sophomore Attack Jenna Carlton tied the game followed by a Kate Wyeth go-ahead goal on a nice feed from Becca Olsen.

Algonquin’s fast midfield transition game proved to be too much, however, as the Tomahawks took back the momentum and lead with a 3-goal run.

The Patriots rallied for two more goals coming off draw controls, one tally each by Hannah Dudley and Emma Mahoney before Algonquin notched it on a fast break goal with just a minute remaining in the game. The Tomahawks went on to win the final draw control, stalling the ball to seal the win.

"It was a great high school lacrosse game" said Coach Morrison. "With the injuries we've been dealing with every player dug down deeper to put us in a position to be in the game at the end. Our veteran players led the way. Kate Wyeth had a monster game for us along with big efforts from Becca Olsen and Emma Mahoney." 

Down But Not Out

When returning Patriot Varsity starter Emma Brandhorst went down with a season ending ACL injury in the final minutes of a scrimmage win over Medfield, Morrison knew he just lost one of his strongest offensive players. When leading scorer Allie Barrett went down last week with a high ankle sprain in a win over Masconomet, he knew the combined loss would be a huge obstacle.

Morrison challenged his underclassmen and first year players to step up and push harder than they have ever before.

And the players did just that as they played their hearts out for 50 minutes last Thursday, April 25, falling short to Acton Boxboro 12-8 in a closer game than the score indicated.

Offensively CC outgained the Colonials in draw controls and ground balls.  Defensively they caused several forced turnovers. Senior Lucy Fell was given face guard duties in shutting down the Colonials top scorer. In the end, it was twenty two CC turnovers that made the difference. 

The Patriots controlled ball possession for much of the first half, patiently working the eight meter as they attempted to penetrate the staunch Colonial defense. AB’s goalie proved to be proficient collecting two early save while a third CC opportunity hit the crossbar. The Patriots attempted several tight passes that resulted in AB turnovers, and ultimately goals. But Patriot Center Hannah Dudley would rally for CC’s  first goal followed a minute later by Junior Midfielder Emma Mahoney’s goal on a Free Position shot tying the game at 2.

The matched remained tight for much of the half as both defenses buckled down forcing turnovers while the offenses were unable to generate much firepower.  With less than 6 minutes in the half, AB capped off 2 goals, then a last second goal before the half. The score, AB 5, CC 2.

Morrison lamented on his teams pattern of first half struggles. "This is the second game that we have scored just two goals in the first half. Both teams turned the ball over a ton and neither was able to get into a rhythm," he said. 

The Colonials continued their momentum in the second half connecting on sharp passes to fast cutters adding another two more to the box score. At the five-minute mark Patriot Jenna Carlton found fellow Attacker Lexi Goodhue open by the edge of the net and Goodhue found the AB webbing for her first of two second half goals. CC Junior Attack Becca Olsen followed up with two consecutive tallies of her own to bring the game back within two.

But AB pressured CC at midfield causing a couple crucial turnovers that resulted in two fast break Colonial goals before Patriot’s Goodhue pasted her second goal. Sophomore goalie Conley Ernst entered the second half making 3 impressive saves. The Patriots intensified their defensive effort with several forced turnovers including a spectacular open net goal saving stick check from behind play by O’Neil.

While CC dominated time of possession they were unable to convert on several shots and free positions. Olsen earned her third goal of the game then Dudley followed up with her second. But with only minutes remaining CC turned the ball over again resulting in a fast break goal by AB and  putting the game out of reach.

"We played better in the second half." said Morrison "It took the team a while to adjust to playing without a leader like Allie Barrett. The turnovers are still a big concern. It is going to be hard to win games if we have the amount of unforced turnovers like we did against AB."

 Some noteworthy Patriot Mid-Season Statistics:

• In Every Game- The Patriots record now stands at 3-5-1 however each of their five losses have been decided, on average, by just two goals
• Compete With The Best- The Patriots tie against Wayland is Wayland’s only non win of the season.
• Turnovers A Culprit- In the 5 Patriot losses, they have averaged 15 turnovers a game. In the 3 Patriot wins they have averaged 6 turnovers a game. 
• Draws controls  going up- The Patriots averaged 5.5 draw controls a  game in their first 4 games and  11 draw controls a game in the last four games.
• Young And Athletic- The Patriots typical starting lineup includes 9 underclassmen and 3 Seniors.