Danvers Girls’ Lacrosse Poised for Postseason

The Danvers High girls’ lacrosse program has come a very long way in a very short while under the direction of Julie Bevad, the third-year coach who grew up immersed in the sport on Long Island and went on to play at the University of New Hampshire.

This is Bevad’s first head coaching job and she starts each season with the broad goal of improving upon the previous year. For this year’s tourney-bound squad, that would mean exceeding 2010’s appearance in the Division Two North Sectional semifinals, a goal Bevad considers achievable.

“We reached the Division Two semifinal last year and this year believe we have the team to go to the State championship. Our goal as a program is always to improve on what we did the previous year and, since our inaugural year, we have achieved that. Our goals are set very high but the girls have worked hard all year so that we can surpass our goals,” Bevad said.

The Falcons head into Tuesday’s regular-season finale at Gloucester (6 p.m.) at 7-0 in the NEC South (12-5 overall). Three of their losses came at the hands of teams ranked in the Top 10 in either Division One (North Andover) and Division Two (Ipswich and Bishop Fenwick).

Bevad credits the Falcons’ four seniors – Caroline Crateau, Katharine Jennings, Rebecca Cann and Alison Tivnan – for their steady leadership this spring.

“They are all impact players, on and off the field. Their passion for the game and willingness to do whatever is asked of them is inspiring to all of the girls,” Bevad said.

Bevad, who holds both undergraduate and graduate degrees in mathematics, was thrilled at the prospect of building a new program from the ground up. Once a fringe sport with pockets of interest offered by a small percentage of Massachusetts schools, lacrosse has grown to the extent that 171 schools under the umbrella of the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) now offer programs. Danvers is one of 34 programs in Division Two North alone.

“The sport as a whole is new to Massachusetts and we started by teaching the basics of the game. The girls are athletic and coachable, so it made teaching the basis very easy. The girls worked very hard and have learned how to play as a team while advancing their skills,” said Bevad. According to the Web site www.maxpreps.com, her clubs have compiled a 41-16 overall record since 2009, including 22-0 in the NEC.

Bevad said female athletes are attracted by the game’s speed and precision.

“It is a great sport and I am really excited to see it grow in the Northeast. Lacrosse is a fast-paced game that takes a tremendous amount of skill and dedication. You can work on your skills individually but it takes a team effort to win a game,” she said.

Which is why you will hear Bevad and her staff praise players equally whether they score a big goal, make a key save, dive for ground balls or hustle the hardest.

“We have stressed that anyone can be a leader on and off the field. Throughout the season, we have seen leadership in all of our players. When we need it, someone has always stepped up into that role and the whole team will follow,” she said.

Bevad pinpoints athleticism and chemistry as the keys to the cohesiveness of this year’s squad, which has outscored its opponents, 217-161, holding nine to fewer than 10 goals.

“In lacrosse, you can always improve on your basic skills (stickwork, defense, checking) and we stress that everyone always needs to keep getting better. I push the girls to be the best individually and as a team and I expect them to be better next week for playoffs than they are today,” Bevad concluded.