By Allison Goldsmith
I&M Sports Editor
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Photo by Nicole Harnishfeger
Lia Newman fights for the ball against a Barnstable player during Saturday's 9 -6 loss at home. |
The girls varsity lacrosse team split its two games this week, defeating Cape Cod Academy on the road Wednesday 10-7 before falling at home to Barnstable Saturday in a close 9-6 game.
Despite having a full starting roster back following spring vacation, the Whalers (3-6) got off to a slow start against both teams. Against Cape Cod Academy Nantucket was able to make a comeback in the second half, but against Barnstable, the Whalers came only within two goals before time ran out.
The Red Raiders made the trek to the island Saturday for a late-afternoon start in damp conditions. The Whalers had possession early but could not convert shot opportunities. As they have in nearly every game this season, Nantucket fell behind quickly as Barnstable put up two goals in the first four minutes.
“If we were able to come out and match them goal for goal in the beginning, the possibility of a win is there for us,” head coach Amy Knapp said. “We just weren’t able to find the net. We shot it right at the goalie or stick side. We had a lot of opportunities we were just not able to convert.”
The Whalers finally found a break on a transition from the defensive end. Lexi Baker connected with Riley Fredericks, who transitioned to Emily Pitts in the offensive end, where she found Winnie Maggs on the crease for the goal.
“Their transition has definitely gotten better from the first game. The passing has come along nicely, which is great to see. They realize by doing that they are able to catch their defense off guard and move the ball quickly,” Knapp said.
Despite the textbook Nantucket transition goal, Barnstable did not slow down and added three more goals for the 5-1 advantage before the half.
Barnstable played a solid defensive game against Nantucket.
“They used their body and pushed us out. Nantucket needs to learn how to do that. We depend too much on that (stick) check and it has a lot to do with the fact that we are slow,” Knapp said.
In the second half goalie Theresa Head kept the Whalers in the game with seven saves on multiple Barnstable scoring opportunities. Meanwhile, the Nantucket offense began to give the Red Raiders some trouble. Sarah Andrews connected on an eight-meter shot early in the half, and after Barnstable responded, Andrews connected with Fredericks for the goal in the upper right corner to keep the Whalers in striking distance at 6-3.
The Red Raiders kept responding, and the Whalers kept coming right back. Lia Newman added a goal off the draw and Andrews added another eight-meter shot to keep things close.
Andrews found Baker on a nice cut to the net to pull Nantucket within two goals at 8-6 with just over a minute remaining. The Whalers continued pressing but Barnstable added an eight-meter shot to put the game out of reach.
Against Cape Cod Academy last Wednesday, the Whalers came out in control against the non-league Seahawks, but could not put the ball in the net.
“The first five minutes, we dominated. We were down in their attacking end, but we couldn’t get shots off and couldn’t get shots in, and as soon as they got the ball and transitioned it down, they scored,” Knapp said.
Cape Cod Academy took a 2-0 lead before Nantucket responded and played to an even 4-4 score at the half.
In the second half the Whalers’ defense stepped up and the transition game picked up as Nantucket outscored the Seahawks 6-3.
Andrews led the way with four goals, while Baker contributed two. Fredericks, Maggs and Pitts scored once each. Head made 10 saves between the posts.
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