Chatham High School’s (N.J.) girl’s lacrosse team faced its toughest challenge to date, as it squared off agaist Darien (Conn.), the No. 1 ranked public school girl’s lax program in the nation, per USALacrosse.com.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The Blue Wave (1-0) proved why it is on top, as it raced out to a 4-1 lead after the first period. Though the Cougars clawed back, Darien’s tough offense and stingy defense ultimately proved too much for Chatham, as it fell, 10-6, at Hass Field Saturday afternoon.
While head coach Helen McCutcheon-Oliver said that the Cougars (3-1) played very well in several facets of the game. But it was a few key elements of the sport that led to their demise.
“I think our girls played incredibly hard today,” McCutchen-Oliver said. “We really matched some of their physicality, speed, and agility. I think our defense played outstanding. They really stepped up, and stopped a lot of their feeds in inside, and a lot of their top drives. So, I think mistakes and turnovers overall are what killed us. And honestly, the (winning) draws in that third and fourth quarters were tough (to overcome). They had a lot more possession than us.”
All in all, McCutcheon-Oliver said “at the end of the day, we proved we could run with a team like that. And I am incredibly proud with the effort that we put forward. Would we have loved to be even a tiny bit closer and a get win? Yes, of course.”
As for the group of young players seeing action and part of the reloading this year, including five sophomores, the longtime coach said that the youngsters fared well against top competition today, a sign of special things to come for the squad.
“We have been talking a lot about those sophomores stepping up,” she explained. “This is the first game where they really had to show what they’re capable of, and that whole team (Blue Wave) is playing Division I somewhere. Just showing that we can match that type of play was really exciting, and also very telling for what we’re going to be able to be this season.”
The second quarter saw Chatham surge back and outscore the Blue Wave, 4-1, to knot the contest at 5-5 — including markers from seniors Leah Tapper and Annie Irish — at the break.
However, the Cougars fell behind, 7-5, 2:07 into the second half. But senior Nicolette Grossman drew the team closer to within a goal with 4:33 remaining in the third period.
But Darien responded with three straight goals and clamped down defensively the rest of the way to secure the win.
Senior Peyton Furst and Tapper registered two tallies apiece, with the latter added an assist. Junior Simone Claps contributed a marker and three groundballs in the defeat. Sophomore goalie Abigail Alden made give saves.
Chatham travels to Glen Ridge Wednesday for a 4:15 affair.
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