Belmont Knocks Girls' Lacrosse From Tournament, 16-6

The girls' lacrosse team raced by the visiting Generals, 16-6, at Belmont's Harris Field on Tuesday in the opening round of the Div. 2 North postseason tournament.

On a humid Tuesday afternoon, the Marauders sprinted out to a 5-0 lead within the first 10 minutes and 11-3 at the half over the squad from and never looked back.

Belmont utilized both speed and its tall center midfielder to control the ball for most of the game.

Belmont senior Caroline McCarthy – who will be playing lacrosse next year at Div. 3 powerhouse Hamilton College – dominated the draws (which takes place at the start of the game and after every score) at one point winning eight of nine, allowing the Marauders to be in control.

"I thought it was an awesome game," said Jessica Smith, who managed her final home game as Belmont's head lacrosse coach. (Smith will continue coaching field hockey in the fall.)

"They were relaxed, showed a lot of patience on offense and took far fewer bad opportunities today," said Smith.

Generals junior midfield Emily Gaucher (4 goals) and senior Abby Hughes (2 goals, 1 assist) led the scoring for Hamilton-Wenham, which finished the season 9-7. The Generals , both with its record and the postseason tournament birth.

The Marauders got out of the gate fast as senior Britta Marden (3 goals) hit the post in the first minute before McCarthy – who finished the game with five goals and three assists – scored off a free position shot early in the second minute.

McCarthy then tallied from mid-distance at the 18th minute followed by a 'Izzy' Goldstein (4 goals, 2 assists) goal off a cut in front a minute later.

On the other end of the field, Belmont's D swarmed the General players at every opportunity in front of freshman goalie Linda Herlihy (seven saves).

Generals goalie Morgan Kimball had 15 saves.

Belmont also excelled in capturing ground balls, ending the game with 20 which did not include balls intercepted in the air.

Down 9-1 with a minute left in the first half, Hamilton-Wenham scored twice within 14 seconds, with goals from Gaucher and Hughes.

But Belmont scored a pair from Goldstein, whose final score came with a second remaining on the clock.