Milton High Girls Lacrosse Optimistic of a Turnaround

For first-year girls’ lacrosse coach Caitlin Finn, the season’s certainly been a challenging one. After a promising 3-2 start to the season, the Wildcats are in the midst of a four-game losing streak and must win six out of their final nine games for tournament qualification.

“We got off to a great start, and then we ran into some of the toughest teams in the (Bay State Conference),’’ said Finn. “We have a lot of seniors on the team, but we also have a lot of underclassmen, who don’t have a lot of experience at the varsity level. We’re trying to work them into the lineup, but we’ve just been coming up short in the past few games. We need to find a way to turn things around if we’re going to have a shot at making the tournament this season.”

After just a four win campaign last season, the Wildcats seemed destined for a change after a promising start, now some mid-season injuries along with inexperience have slowly taken its toll on the Wildcats.

“We’ve had some players out with injuries, as well as some other things,’’ said Finn. “But we’ve managed to hold it together and remain positive. The senior captains have been doing a great job really keeping this team together. They’re like another set of eyes and ears on the field for me, and I’m very lucky to have such great leaders like them.”

Leading the way for the Wildcats has been sophomore sensation and attacker Jen Berry, who currently is the top point scorer.

While Berry has delivered a solid season, she’s also missed several games due to unspecified reasons. Other offensive contributors for the Wildcats have been sophomore Olivia Phelan along with senior tri-captain Kat Phelan and sophomore Erin Higgins at midfield.

“With (Jen) out, the other girls have really had to step up and they’ve been doing a great job,’’ said Finn. “They’ve found a way to contribute offensively, whether it’s setting up a scoring opportunity or finding ways to score goals. Even though it doesn’t show up in the win column, the effort has definitely been there and we’ve been in almost every game this season, win or lose.”

Also serving a solid leaders on and off the field have been senior tri-captains Emma Drew, Kat Phelan and center Ines Campbell. Drew, who has developed into one of the Conference’s top goalkeepers, has managed to keep the Wildcats well within striking distance against top competition.

“(Drew) just has great athletic instincts when she’s out there, and she just knows where to be at all times,’’ said Finn. “She’s one of the smartest athletes I’ve ever coached, and she does a great job directing traffic out on the field. She’s not afraid to talk it up and she’s got a great outgoing personality. She’s certainly made my job a lot easier.”

While she’s posted just a 3-6 overall mark, Drew has averaged close to 25 saves per game, while altering and deflecting shots from close range.

“She (Drew) does a great job cutting down the angles of the attackers,’’ said Finn. “She’s made some outstanding saves on some penalty shots and she just never gives up on the play. She’s a leader on the field, and she’s not afraid to talk it up to the girls, in crucial situations of games.”

Phelan, who’s served as an anchor in the back, has developed into a solid role on defense. Along with fellow seniors Jessica Rush, Kathleen Walsh as well as sophomore Julia Rush, Phelan has managed to keep opposing goal scorers in check for the most part.

“(Phelan) is a great defender and she leads by example,’’ said Finn. “She’s a quiet leader for the most part, but isn’t afraid to talk things up when she has to. She’s been a huge part of our defense, and she’s the leader back there for us.”

Campbell, who’s the starting center back, has been essential in guiding the midfield offensively and defensively and is crucial to the Wildcats’ transition game.

“(Campbell) is the perfect balance between leading by example and being a vocal leader,’’ said Finn. “All three captains know so much about the game, and they’ve been doing a great job working with the younger girls.”

During their four game losing streak, the Wildcats have suffered close defeats to Braintree (9-6), Natick (10-8) along with losses to Norwood (13-2) and Newton North (13-6).

“In the Braintree game, we had the lead most of the game, but (Braintree) was able to capitalize on some opportunities in the end,’’ said Finn. “The first time we lost to Natick was (12-4), but when we played them again, we only lost by two. The () game, we were pretty much in that game until they were able to break things open.”

Needing to win six out of their final nine games of the season, the Wildcats are well of the challenges that await them.

“We need to start scoring some more goals, and find ways to finish off chances,’’ said Finn. “Everybody has to step up and contribute and take advantage. We’re optimistic we can turn things around real soon.”