UPDATED Girls Lacrosse, Tennis, Softball Notes

UPDATE: The Hillers play the D-2 North champ Winchester Sachems Monday, 5:30, at Wellesley College. Winchester beat Ipswich 16-6 Friday night.

Duxbury scored first but after a few traded goals, never got the lead back, though the game stayed close or tied throughout.

The Hillers threatened to pull away a couple of times with four- and five-goal leads but Duxbury hung tough with incredible play in goal and incredible speed when they needed it most.

Many of the Hillers' scores came on patient lengthy setups. The Dragons' scores came on speed bursts from faceoffs or field-length, counter-attack rushes.

When Duxbury did try set plays, Hopkinton keeper Jackie Chirco played an aggressive game, swiping or batting passes near the goal mouth. 

Goals to start the second half by Hopkinton's Tess Chandler, Taylor Sokol and Brooke Rudden put the Hillers up 10-5. The game looked to be getting away.

But the Dragons showed heart and fought through the heat and humidity to make it a cliffhanger. 

After being awarded the D-2 South trophy, ecstatic Hopkinton coach Jodi Dolan gave her players the word. "I love you guys!" she said.

The Hopkinton softball team also finished off the last outs of  Thursday's rain-delayed game for a 5-0 win over Fairhaven High in Taunton  Friday afternoon. The softball team, still in uniform, was back in Hopkinton in time to cheer on Hillers lacrosse.

They play in the D-2 South finals Sunday at 6 in Taunton against the winner of Saturday's game between Abington and Coyle-Cassidy, which is in Taunton. (EDITOR'S NOTE: Friday's Patch said Coyle-Cassidy plays Hanover on Saturday (today). But Coyle-Cassidy already beat Hanover so Saturday's game is Coyle-Cassidy v. Abington.)

Here's an amazing feat: Hillers pitcher Michelle Cooprider threw 18 straight strikes to strike-out the first six Fairhaven batters Thursday.

The Hillers girls tennis team  also play indoors at 3 this afternoon at the Kingsbury Club in Medfield, 2 Ice House Road, Medfield, for the D-2 South title vs. Foxborough.