Reloaded Warriors Finish With Winning Record

By Eliot Schickler

Losing its top two offensive players and No. 1 defensive stalwart would usually spell a rebuilding year for most teams.

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Evidently, the Brookline High girls lacrosse team didn’t get the memo, and instead of rebuilding from last year’s 10-10 regular-season record, it reloaded. Brookline, which was 10-11 overall after losing 17-6 at 11th-seeded King Phillip Regional Academy in the First Round of the Division 1 playoffs as the 22nd-seed.

Despite losing three-time All-Bay State Conference offensive forces Maggie Teahan and Birdie Hawkins, and defensive anchor Sydney Bueno, who was All-Bay State Conference Honorable Mention last year, the Warriors finished the 2026 season at 9-8, and earned the 18th-seed to the Division 1 playoffs, where they will travel to 15th-seeded Beverly High on Wednesday, May 27, for a 6 PM game.

Also graduating from last year’s team were defenders Sasha Harwin and Sophia Liu, and attacker Lauren Fisch.

“I’d say the team has played more cohesively this year than we ever have before, with everyone working as a unit on all ends of the field from the attack to the defense,” Brookline senior quad-captain Sylvie Kostant-Greeley said. “I’m so proud of how younger players have stepped up this year, particularly on the scoring end. This year, we’ve definitely had a good run, and we are all excited about our matchup against Beverly today and hopeful that we can pull out a win.”

Warriors senior quad-captain Elin Lindgren-Palm said, “I’d say the team has played more cohesively this year than we ever have before, with everyone working as a unit on all ends of the field from the attack to the defense. I’m so proud of how younger players have stepped up this year, particularly on the scoring end. This year, we’ve definitely had a good run, and we are all excited about our matchup against Beverly today and hopeful that we can pull out a win.”

Competing in a tough Bay State Conference (BSC) made it tough for Brookline, and two of its four non-league games were against BSC opponents. Moreover, the league seems to have undergone a realignment recently with Newton North High, a team the Warriors have beaten with ease in the past, finishing with a 14-3 record and earning the 11th-seed. Newton North turned the tables and swept its rivals, but Brookline was competitive, losing 8-6 at home and 13-7 on the road, in which the Tigers pulled away late.

The Warriors swept Needham High and Weymouth High, respectively, the two BSC teams from the other division with which they played non-league games. Needham had Brookline’s number in the past before losing an overtime game at Downes Field in the Southeast Corner of the 02446 area in 2023, before avenging the setback the following two years. In 2026, the Warriors turned the tables with a 15-9 win in Needham on April 2, and they grounded the Rockets at Downes Field, 8-7, on May 15.

Brookline beat Weymouth for the first time in ages at home last year. In 2026, the Warriors declawed the Wildcats, 16-6 on the road on April 16, and 16-3 at Downes Field on May 9.

Despite losing twice to vaunted Wellesley High, 19-4 on the road and 14-5 at home, Brookline held its own against a better team. The Warriors also split with Natick High, losing 11-6 on the road on March 31, but eking out a home win, 8-7, on May 5.

“I think the biggest surprise was how well we’ve been doing and how much we’ve bonded as a team,” Lindgren-Palm said. “We’re all such good friends now, and it’s been a blast to see everyone grow both together and on their own.”

Kostant-Greeley said, “The biggest surprise this year is definitely how bonded the team has become, and the positive atmosphere we’ve been able to cultivate. The younger players have definitely integrated into the team well, and we couldn’t be happier about that.”

Senior Clara Thibault and junior Lily Kleinbaum, who are prominent attackers, are the other quad-captains. Kostant-Greeley and Lindgren-Palm anchor the defense.

Seniors Scarlett Rothstein, Priscila Hill, Amalia Lindgren-Palm, Annabelle Sneider, Maya Schwartz, Chloe Jean, and Penelope West also provide leadership. Junior Carinn Bueno is the starting goalie and is a leader on the defense by directing traffic. The younger Bueno has improved from last year. Classmate Serena Yankowitz is an offensive force. Lila Gorman, Leila Koplan, and Ella Myers round up the junior class.

Gigi Hawkins, Nia Kirrane, Sofia Safer, and Audrina Williams anchor a strong sophomore class. Ella Nardone and Katherine O’Connor are two freshmen who are coming along nicely.

Brookline also edged a vastly-improving Milton High team, 11-10 in overtime on May 7. Milton finished the regular season at 10-7 and is the 12th-seed in the Division 2 tournament.

Although the Warriors had a good season, they ended the year with two one-goal losses against teams that were ranked behind them, which might have cost them in the power rankings. Brookline lost 7-6 at home to 22nd-ranked Braintree on May 18, who finished the year at 8-10 and made the playoffs, and 13-12 at 29th-ranked Framingham High on May 20. Framingham ended the year at 6-12 and also made the playoffs, a team the Warriors defeated 16-12 at Downes Field on April 14.

Despite the two losses, Brookline hopes to bounce back with a win up north.

“I’m really looking forward to our playoff game against Beverly,” Elin Lindgren-Palm said. “I think we have a really good chance, and we’re going to go on the field and work together just like we always do.”

Kostant-Greeley said, “I look forward to our game today; we definitely have an excellent shot at beating Beverly.”