CCHS Girls Lacrosse: Patriots Miss Posteason, But End on a High Note

Patriots End Season On High Note

After losing to Shrewsbury Monday by one goal thus dashing any hopes for a Division 1 playoff run, the Patriots  (8-9-1) rebounded in  strong fashion Tuesday by defeating No. 10 ranked Framingham (14-4) 15-13 at Doug White Field.

Concord-Carlisle looked both strong and confident in their final game as they competed at the highest level against an athletic and stealthy Flyer team. Once again junior captain Allie Barrett led the charge, racking up 5 goals and 2 assists while Becca Olsen and Emma Mahoney both added 3 goals each. Back in the lineup for CC were starters Center Hannah Dudley, who collected 1 goal, 5 draw controls and 3 ground balls, and Sophomore Lexi Goodhue who had 3 tallies of her own with her distinct crease roll from around the net.

The Patriots battled the high-powered Framingham offense, matching them goal for goal through the first 15 minutes of play.

But with just over 10 minutes remaining in the half and CC up by one, they managed the first notable lead as a Framingham shot hit the CC cross pipe. The Patriots grabbed the ensuing ground ball then quickly transitioned down field for a tally. Moments later, Johanna O’ Neil would win the draw control and pass off to Kate Wyeth speeding down the right side of the field. Wyeth'sperfect pass assist to Becca Olsen split the seam of two Framingham defenders and Olsen found the back of the net giving the Patriots a bit of breathing room and a 3 goal lead.

Both teams battled for  goals through the following minutes as CC continued to chip away at extending their lead. With confidence growing, the Patriots went into the half up by five, at 14- 9.

As expected, Framingham came out fast and furious to begin the second half. CC Goalie Conley Ernst made several early key stops to help keep the Patriot lead. Though unsuccessful, the  Patriots continued to create scoring opportunities of their own including a breakaway shot, three free positions and a high pipe shot. Both teams then buckled down and a defensive battle ensued as each offense could only muster one goal before the ten minute mark of the half.

Once again CC defenders Lucy Fell, Johanna O Neil and Madeline Leahy played smart resilient defense awhile freshmen defender Brianna Stout continued her aggressive prowess.

Down 15-10 with 11 minutes remaining, the battle-tested Flyers  were determined to not give up and continued to grind out plays while going on a 3-goal run to bring the game within two. But CC would again match them goal for goal as Patriot’s Mahoney and Barrett each notched scores to help stave off any remaining Flyer attack.

The Patriots maintained the ball for the final seconds as the clock ran out, thus ending their 2013 season.

Coach Paul Morrison looked back on the season.

"We had some very close losses over the year, none more bitter than the one goal loss to Shrewsbury yesterday," he said. "Yet this team was always resilient and battled to the end, and today they were rewarded for that effort by beating one of the top ten teams in the state. Kate Wyeth, Maddie Holmes, Lucy Fell, Halle Burns and Miranda Gaehde are terrific athletes and wonderful people. The Class of 2013 has laid the foundation for CCHS Girls Lacrosse to reach greater heights in the near future."

Patriots Hand One To Colonials

In a must win game to continue their quest for the Division 1 North playoffs, the Patriots allowed a four-goal halftime lead to slip away, losing 15-14 to the Shrewsbury Colonials on Tuesday.

It was a tale of two halves for the Patriots, who took control for the first half of the game. 

CC midfielder Becca Olsen dominated in the Shrewsbury end, tallying four goals within the first 15 minutes of play, including a beautiful stick check to scoop the ball and fire it to the back of the net. Allie Barrett, Emma Mahoney, Jenna Carlton and Cassidy Hale all provided additional tallies for CC, as Johanna O’Neil provided them with six draw controls and two ground balls. Meanwhile CC defenders Lucy Fell, Madeline Leahy and Brianna Stout coupled with Senior Captain and goalie Maddie Holmes played a staunch, resilient defensive game making the Colonials work hard for every  goal they could muster.

A Patriot yellow card allowed the Colonials to take an early lead of 3-2. However,once the teams regained balance, CC managed the ball better and went into half with a solid 9-5 lead.

The second half was all Shrewsbury, however, as the Colonials made adjustments in their game plan, gaining more draw controls and modifying to a fast break game which stymied the Patriots.

The Colonials went on a seven-goal run to take a 12-9 lead and CC Coach Paul Morrison called for a time out.  Following the stop in play, the Patriots resumed with a goal each by Mahoney and Hale to bring the game within one. However, Shrewsbury responded with three straight fast breaks to push out to a 15-11 lead.

With just over 4 minutes remaining and a second time out, the Patriots began to gain momentum again as Hale, O’Neil and Mahoney all fought to win crucial draw controls. Kate Wyeth, Olsen and Hale then followed through with needed tallies to bring the Patriots within back one a goal.

At 15-14 and just over a minute remaining, CC had to win the draw control for any chance to tie the game. And they did, as Hale won the ball and raced down field toward goal spotting Barrett to her right. Barrett seeking a must-needed goal then drove to goal, cutting between two Colonial defenders and firing a perfect bounce shot to tie the game.

Unfortunately, a questionable charging call was announced by an official negating the goal and giving Shrewsbury possession. The Colonials then effectively went into stall mode for the remaining minute to win the game as time ran out. 

"It was a tough way to lose" said Coach Morrison. "We had two goals called back in the second half with our season on the line. The kids never gave up, and like they have all season they fought and competed to the bitter end."

Season Ending Notes

• Based on the win-loss record of their opponents, laxpower.com determined that the Patriots ended their season with the fifth most difficult Division 1 Girls  Lacrosse schedule in the state only behind Andover, Westwood, Notre Dame Academy and Lincoln Sudbury.  
• In spite of significant injuries to several starters, the Patriots lost two games by only two goals and three games by only one goal.
• The Patriots will be returning 16 of their 21 Varsity players in 2014.
• The Junior Varsity team under Co-Coaches Amy Carlton and Helen Lyons completed a very successful season with a 14-4-1 record.
• The Freshmen team under Head Coach Jenn Frizzelle and Asst. Coach Nancy Campbell had a perfect undefeated season with a 12-0 record.