Pats looking to be in contention for a title once again

Matt Metcalf, Sports Editor
Posted 4/7/15

The Pilgrim girls’ lacrosse team has been on the fringe of winning a championship – making it to the Division III title game in each of the last two seasons before coming up just short.

The …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

E-mail
Password
Log in

Pats looking to be in contention for a title once again

Posted

The Pilgrim girls’ lacrosse team has been on the fringe of winning a championship – making it to the Division III title game in each of the last two seasons before coming up just short.

The Pats, who lost some key pieces from last year’s squad, will look to take that next step this season with some talented returners, as well as some promising newcomers.

Pilgrim will be paced by its four senior captains – Madison Almonte, Christina Cavanagh, Emma Reilly and Emily Fluette – who should provide tremendous leadership and experience.

“A lot of the leadership will come from them,” Pilgrim head coach Tom Flanders said.

There was a big question mark in goal in recent weeks, as last year’s starter, Alex Pouliot, was having some injury trouble, but it turns out that she’s good to go for the start of the season.

Flanders was a bit concerned, not knowing if he was going to have to play a committee of keepers, which would’ve taken some other players out of their natural positions.

Pouliot, who is just a sophomore this season, had an impressive freshman year and will look to build off of it this spring.

“She stepped in last year and got hot for us down the stretch,” Flanders said. “Alex was a main reason why we made it as far as we did.”

Another big reason for the Pats’ success was Second Team All-State selection, Haley McCusker, who graduated and is currently playing for Coker College in Hartsville, S.C. – where she has already compiled 30 goals and 40 points in just 14 games for the NCAA Division III Cobras.

McCusker’s absence will leave a significant vacancy in the goal department, as she paced the offense last season.

One player who should step up to score some goals this season is junior Hannah Page, who would’ve been one of the players that Flanders would’ve had to throw in goal if Pouliot wasn’t ready to go.

Flanders will look for big things from a talented junior class, which will be highlighted by Page, midfielders Sophia Deluca and Hannah Johnson and defenders Alexia Martins, Madison Yehle and Emily Heon.

Three soccer players – senior Katelyn Vieira and juniors Kendra Tantimonico and Molly Lynch – came out for the team this season and will look to make an impact. Flanders has been impressed with how quickly the trio has picked up on the game.

Haley Buco, another soccer player, is also back after not playing lacrosse last season.

Senior Aislinn Curry should also see some time on the field for the Pats.

Flanders is pleased with the way that the program has progressed, as there are 44 girls playing this spring.

He’s hoping that the Pats will continue to trend in the right direction – and finally breaking through for a title would assist in that tremendously.

The Pats’ season will get underway on Friday, when they host North Providence for a 5 p.m. start.

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here