JV girls’ lacrosse wraps up season

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Photo by Erik Kleinbussink

Sophomore Isa Davis-Astrada passes the ball to freshman Addison Purvis in the game against Sherwood on Apr. 21.

The JV girls’ lacrosse season ended on Apr. 25 after a 7-5 loss against Northwest. The team finished with a record of 4-5. After a season full of upsetting losses and exciting wins, new and experienced players alike were able to grow individually and as a team.

On Mar. 31, the girls traveled to Richard Montgomery and kicked off spring break with a 11-9 win against the Rockets. Hoping to come back from spring break with a win, the team ventured to Churchill on Apr. 14. Sophomore Josie Spicer scored four of the five goals by the Patriots, in addition to winning three draw controls and picking up two steals. After the game was tied at the end of regulation, the Bulldogs scored a goal in overtime against freshman and rookie goalie Aava Nikakhtar, who got 11 saves. After the tough loss against Churchill, sophomore Kailey Waxman was pulled up to the varsity team as three varsity players were out with injuries.

The girls headed home to face the Paint Branch Panthers on Apr. 18. The Patriots came out on top with a 13-1 win, with goals scored by freshmen Addison Purvis, Sami Karcz, Danielle Rubin, Siena McCarthy, Jenny Brailovsky and Peyton Higgins, and sophomores Melissa Lee Marissa Cook, Skylar Cohen, Nikki Cohen, Hana Ghalib and Madeline Hill.

They kept up their energy from the Paint Branch win when they faced the Sherwood Warriors on Apr. 21. Though the earlier loss against Churchill was upsetting for the team, it taught valuable lessons and skills that were utilized in the 13-1 victory against the Panthers and the Warriors. “It motivated us to be very fast and quick from the draw because we need to get down there,” Purvis said.

For their ninth and final game of the season, the team headed to Northwest on Apr. 25. They fell short in a 7-5 loss against the Jaguars. Skylar Cohen was the top scorer of the game with three goals, and Ghalib followed with two. Sophomore Isa Davis-Astrada also contributed with an assist, as well as Karcz who had two draw control wins, along with two draw control wins, a ground ball and an assist.

As this was their last game of the season, the team had a chance to reflect and think about their most notable memories with the team. Coach Alexa Young hopes to return as JV coach next year if given the opportunity. Her most memorable moment of the season was beating Sherwood, since it felt good from her high school experience. Young also appreciated “all of the hat tricks.”

New and experienced players alike were able to develop their skills on and off the field, such as teamwork, stick skills and communication. “I think it went really well because a lot of new people came to lacrosse and they all learned new skills and we all grew together as a team,” Brailovsky said.

Spending practices and games together, players were able to meet new people and become closer with each other. “I loved the bonding experience,” sophomore Nibras Hassan said.