(Newburyport) The Newburyport girls’ lacrosse team is very good.
“They play some of the best team lacrosse in the state,” said North Reading coach Matt Costello after his game today versus the Clippers.
Newburyport (14-1) defeated the Hornets, 14-5, in Cape Ann League action winning their tenth straight. The Clippers are now 8-0 at home and 11-0 in the CAL.
“They have a lot of talent, but they use it together as a team,” added Coach Costello.
The Clippers should have been tired after a tough battle yesterday against Bishop Guertin arguably one of the best teams in New Hampshire.
And they were tired but with experienced depth on both sides of the field it hardly mattered.
“We were definitely tired today,” said Clippers Coach Catherine Batchelder, “but we were able to play everybody a lot. We took a load off the starters from yesterday.”
“We try to play together no matter what,” explained Makenna Ward post-game. “It isn’t always one person trying to do everything.”
The Clippers had scoring from nine different players with Izzy Rosa leading the scorers with four goals and two assists.
North Reading (7-9) had the defensive skills to keep the Clippers from rushing straight into their end and launching shots. However, on this afternoon, the Clippers were good enough running set offenses that they prevailed anyway.
Newburyport scored eight unanswered goals to start the game and had that 8-0 lead with nine minutes left in the first half.
Bri Slattery broke through for North Reading and Jenna DiNapoli added another goal. The halftime score was, 10-2.
The Clippers started the second half with four straight scores to enlarge their advantage to, 14-2, with nine minutes left.
In the process of growing their lead, the Clippers also moved this game into running time.
North Reading closed the game with three straight goals.
“North Reading has really improved from the first time we saw them (April 27th),” said Coach Batchelder. “I thought that their goalie (Kaitlyn Supple) was excellent.”
“We’ve been working on execution and good decision-making on offense,” said Coach Costello. “At the end of today’s game, we protected our sticks and did better at staying out of pressure.”
Newburyport is #1 in the MIAA Division 3 power rankings. North Reading is #16. Thirty-two teams make the tournament.
“There’s a chance we could play North Reading in the tournament,” said Coach Batchelder. “The higher ranked team will have the home game until the Final Four.”
Makenna Ward: “Our defense is very complicated but fun. When we click it looks (and works) so good.”
Coach Batchelder: “We have tough games at home next week against Manchester-Essex and Bedford (NH).”
Newburyport 10 4 = 14
North Reading 2 3 = 5
Newburyport goals: Izzy Rosa (4), Reese Bromby (2), Anna Affolter (2), Brela Pavao (1), Lilly Pons (1), Rita Cahalane (1), Olivia McDonald (1), Emily Fuller (1), Maddie Heath (1).
North Reading goals: Bri Slattery (2), Lilly McInerney (2), Jenna DiNapoli (1).
Newburyport’s four seniors (Sydney Turner, Elizabeth Turgeon, Audrey Cooper, Emily Fuller) were honored pre-game.
The weather was splendid.
McClelland Miscellanea 