By Paul Vozzella
Hometown Weekly Sports Reporter
In its biggest challenge to date, girls lacrosse proved once again that it is one of the biggest threats in the state as it defeated Needham 18-7. Walpole remained undefeated at 6-0 with the win.
While it took the Timberwolves a little bit of time to warm up, Needham came out of the gates with a lot of energy, scoring a goal 1:11 into the game. That was the last time Needham would hold a lead.
Within 30 seconds of its opponent’s goal, Walpole answered with captain Sophia Fruci finding the back of the net. The Timberwolves would win the ensuing faceoff and cap off the offensive possession with a goal from junior Ava MacLean. Although Needham was playing tight defense, Walpole’s patient approach proved to be superior.
The first quarter onslaught was far from over with a 2-1 lead. Walpole went on to score seven more consecutive goals en route to an 11-2 lead heading into the second frame. Captain Caitlyn Naughton was responsible for four scores while Fruci rounded out an early hat trick with two more goals. MacLean scored for the second time in the quarter, and junior Emily Hagan and captain Jenna Wong each added on a goal to round out the first quarter.
Walpole seemed to let its foot off the gas in the beginning of the second quarter, spending the majority of the first five minutes on defense and allowing two goals. But just as momentum seemed to be shifting in favor of the opponent, the Timberwolves responded with four consecutive goals – culminated by a flashy spin move around a defender on a score from Fruci – to go into halftime with an eleven-goal lead.
With the game firmly in hand, Walpole made it priority number one to drain as much clock as possible by easing up in the attacking zone, primarily making perimeter passes for over three minutes. The game plan worked to a tee as the team tacked on three more goals and did not have to retreat to defense for much time.
The fourth quarter saw head coach Mike Tosone make a call to the bench, subbing in underclassmen for starters. Walpole was able to continue its defensive prowess, forcing turnovers, but Needham managed to tally three more goals. Still, it never threatened Walpole on the scoreboard before the final buzzer.
The Timberwolves followed the victory with another against Weymouth before heading into April vacation.
There is still plenty of season left but it is tough to find a team in Massachusetts that has gotten off to a better start than Walpole.
