Girls Lacrosse Makes Quick Exit from the Playoffs

The  girls' lacrosse team fell short in the first round of the MIAA State Tournament (East Division 1) on Memorial Day, losing to the Reading Rockets, 9-3.

The Rockets (No. 7, 16-4) defeated the Raiders (No. 10, 16-5) led by Sarah Lautman and Christine Johnson who proved unstoppable throughout the game, scoring four goals each. Reading's Lauren Cranitch locked in a goal of her own, as well.

The game started off with each squad scoring two goals a piece, but unfortunetly for the Raiders, the Rockets soon after went on a scoring spree. Reading scored seven times in a row before Medford could tack on their third and final goal of the game.

"We took a time out to catch our breath when it was tied at 2-2, and the girls turned their switch on," said Reading coach Michaela Hardy. "They were able to start playing the game that we know how to play, the game that we practice day in and day out."

Goal scoares for the Raiders included junior Olivia Timmons, and Madie Forcier. Timmons had a single goal, while Forcier had two. 

"Our junior attacker, Olive Timmons, had 92 goals and 28 assists in 20 games, thats pretty good numbers,"said Medford coach Matt Galusi."But today, I put it all on my seniors. My nine seniors were warriors today," he added.

Next up, the Rockets will take on either Lincoln Sudbury (No. 2, 16-2), or Peabody (No. 15, 10-6) depending on the outcome of their first round game on June 1. The time and location of the game has yet to be decided. 

Hardy says her squad is going to have to come out more prepared to play if they are going to face a strong team like Lincoln-Sudbury. 

"Against a team like Lincoln-Sudbury, we can't come out the way we came out today because teams are going to take it to us right off the bat," she said. "We need to win the draw. If you win the draws, you win the game."