St. Mary girls’ lacrosse coach Dave Watson instructs his players during a break in the action Wednesday against Cathedral at Spec Pond Field in Wilbraham. (Photo by Chris Putz)
WILBRAHAM – The St. Mary High School girls’ lacrosse team got out their history books to make a few notes in the margins.
St. Mary recorded its first-ever opening day victory in varsity girls’ lacrosse, and only its second win in the program’s short history, defeating Cathedral 10-7 Wednesday at Spec Pond Field in Wilbraham. Lauren Chapdelaine and Bella Butler led the Saints (1-0) with three goals apiece.
“It is very, very important for morale,” St. Mary coach Dave Watson said about the team’s strong start out the gates.
The Saints have already duplicated last year’s win total (1) in the first year as a varsity program. They participated as a junior varsity unit the two previous seasons.”
“The girls are working hard,” coach Watson said. “They’re showing a lot of cohesiveness, and they’re working as a team. Hopefully that will continue on.”
St. Mary received offensive contributions from many different players on a cold, blustery day. Andrea Watson scored two goals for the Saints, and Aisling Smith and Taylor Marshall contributed one apiece.
St. Mary goalie Karissa Foley finished with eight saves.
BOYS’ LACROSSE
Westfield 8, Minnechaug 5
Matt Lacroix had four goals, two assists, and won the majority of faceoffs to help propel Westfield (2-0) to its second victory in as many games.
“Matt was outstanding on faceoffs and was a catalyst all day for us,” Westfield coach Mark Cavalon said. “He just played an unbelievable game.”
Kevin Papineau contributed three goals for Westfield, Max Miller had one goal and one assist, and Ryan Wilson finished with an assist.
Bombers goalie Jake Cupak was strong in net, collecting 12 saves and making some key ones down the stretch. He was helped out by defensemen Ethan Nassar, Bryan Jensen, and Cory Ward.
Westfield scored the game’s final three goals in the fourth quarter.
BASEBALL
Southwick 16, Wahconah 7
Ross Lebo and freshman Jake Goodreau drove in three runs apiece, freshman Patrick King had two hits and two RBIs, and Kyle Manley and Nick Massarelli each delivered two hits for Southwick (1-0).
The Rams racked up 10 hits.
Southwick’s Bob Hamels scattered four hits, struck out four batters, and allowed three runs in five innings on the mound for Southwick. Bryan Shields allowed four runs on one hit in two innings of work. He had one strikeout.
“Obviously it was not an ideal baseball day,” Southwick coach Tim Karetka said. “It was freezing out there, but we got the job done.”
JV BASEBALL
Southwick 24, Wahconah 4
Danny McClellan, Nick Labodycz, Joey Frasco, Brian Mickalay, and Joey Stratton collected two hits apiece for Southwick. Frasco, the Rams junior pitcher, delivered four strong innings on the mound.
