Victory Over Hewlett Brings Mepham Girls Lax to 6-1 This Season

The (6-1) Mepham Girls Lacrosse team was ready to battle as Hewlett came to town yesterday trying to upset the favorites. In the end, the Lady Pirates prevailed, 11-7.

The first half was a strong showing from the Mepham Pirates; taking control the minute the game started. The game went nearly 10 minutes without a score, but was filling with crisp passes and good communication for the Mepham side. 

The pressure continued to build for Hewlett as Mepham continued to shoot the ball hard to the net. Mepham's Ashley Appel scored minutes later off a great feed from Lauren Johnson. After 15 minutes of play, the Mepham defense didn't allow many shots for the Hewlett girls to try and score.

For the next eight minutes, Mepham showed why they are still undefeated in Conference play, scoring five unanswered goals to take a 7-0 lead. The game seemed out of reach for the Hewlett side until Val DeNapol slid behind the defense and scored a late goal to end the shut out for Kathryn DeLauter and the Mepham side.

The half ended with Mepham up 7-1 and in complete control of their own fate.

"We need to watch for quick passes, because they are going to come after us" said Coach Geraldine O'Brien. "We need to keep our shots low and hard and we'll continue to score."

Mepham scored only minutes into the half from Lauren Johnson with a strong play around the net. The next three goals scored by Hewlett in a three-minute span that seemed to take a little wind out of Mephams sail. Coach O'Brien called a time out with 15 minutes to go to try and get her girls back on the same page.

After the timeout, both teams seemed hungry, on their way to each scoring another three goals. Play continued up and down the field, as girls exchanged shots stick checks. Both goaltenders played great towards the end of the game.

The last minute of the game was all Mepham, showing why they held an 11-7 lead. Lauren Johnson intercepted the ball and she and the Lady Pirates kept the ball in the Hewlett zone to take the win.

At the end of the game Coach O'Brein said that her team showed a lot of passion on offense and "goalie Kathryn DeLauter came alive and so did our Midfielders."

Coach O'Brien added she was pleased that her girls kept Nassau County-ranked Dani Kandel to only one goal.