Big Second Half Propels Medford Girls Lacrosse Over Watertown

The Medford High girls lacrosse team got off to a slow start on Friday morning against Watertown. With a 5-3 lead at halftime, the Mustangs finally put their offense together and pulled away in the second half, winning 14-5 at Hosmer Field.

The Mustangs were lead by a terrific twin duo who has been wrecking havoc throughout the sport of girls lacrosse around Massachusetts all year, Olivia and Katherine Timmins. The sister's combined for ten of their team's goals.

The Raiders' offense was a bit more balanced, as they got goals from Lauren Giordano, Kamilla Ionecian, Rehal Betram, and Kayla Costa. The real story for Watertown was between the pipes, as Julie Fraser had 12 saves, all outstanding point blank chances, and kept her team in the game throughout the day.

Head coach Lisa Lituri, obviously disappointed with the loss, was still happy with her young team's performance.

"I was extremely happy with our defense today," Lituri said. "We're clearly still progressing, but I thought our defense took some big steps forward today, and obviously Julie was outstanding for us in the cage."

Medford got things going early with a goal right off the face off. The Raiders answered quickly when Betram found the five hole of the Medford keeper several minutes later. 

Fraser then began to stand on her head midway through the first half with some big time saves, until Olivia Timmins found the back of the cage for one of her six goals on the day. 

Giordano then tied it back up at two minutes later with a pretty shot off a set play. Katherine Timmins then put her Mustangs back up 3-2 after Medford had called a time out to seemingly stop some sloppy play and Watertown momentum.

Ionecian then knotted it back up at three for the Raiders as the second half was winding down. The Timmins sisters each added one more goal before the half to leave the score at 5-3.

The flood gates opened up quickly on the Raiders when the second half began, as Medford rolled out of the break on a 9-1 run that lasted the entire half, seemingly finding any open area to cut in to for an easy goal.

The Raiders' lone goals in the half came at 8-4 when Costa went coast to coast and had a nice finish, going top right corner, then with the game winding down Giordano netted herself another goal as the final seconds ticked off the clock.

Despite the loss, it was clear that Lituri's second year squad was making some strides in the competitive department, and should be in a lot more games down the stretch as the year rolls on.

"We still have a lot to work on ... obviously,"  Lituri said. "I liked the way we moved around on offense today, but we still need to work on forcing our passes and shots, ground balls could always be better, and our set plays need some work as well.

"We have a game Monday (against Burlington) and that will be tough, but the girls are working hard and are continuting to try and get better, I think it's starting to show. We'll just keep grinding and progressing."