By Paul Vozzella
Hometown Weekly Sports Reporter
Officially through the halfway point of the season, girls’ lacrosse stands at the top of the Tri-Valley League Small Conference after a 20-8 victory over Ashland. Following the victory, the Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) released its first power rankings of the season, ranking Medfield first overall in Division III.
Based on its performance on the road against the Clockers, it’s no surprise the defending state champions currently stand at the top, either. In what was assumed to be a close affair, Medfield made easy work of Ashland.
“This was a big win for us,” said head coach Mary Laughna. “I think every year, Ashland always gives us a good game. They play hard for an entire 48 minutes… I think it proved to us that we're a strong team and strong contender.”
The Warriors never trailed in the matchup and showcased a full display of its depth, as nine players tallied a goal.
After an opening faceoff win for Medfield, freshman Sophia Zeppieri looped around the goal and opened the offensive attack with a score 50 seconds into the game. Senior Maeve Kelly added on a goal just a few ticks of the clock later and another midway through the quarter to bring the game to 3-0.
One factor played a big part in the fast start and throughout the entire game.
“Michaela McDonald and Maeve Kelly killed it on the draw,” praised Laughna. “ We were able to get possession and keep possession.”
Ashland managed to stunt Medfield’s quick start and bring the game back within one score before the first quarter came to an end.
With Ashland making a push, the Warriors found a second gear and took off with the lead. Senior Kendall Herrick forced a turnover at midfield and advanced the ball upfield to Michaela McDonald for a goal. Herrick was far from finishing her performance in the quarter, however. She went on to score a hat trick en route to a 10-4 lead at halftime.
Junior Izzy Kittredge tallied two goals while junior Stella Scobbo notched another in the second quarter.
After McDonald kicked off the scoring in the third, Ashland answered with a goal that seemingly bounced off the post but was counted as a score. In response, Scobbo went off for three consecutive goals in under four minutes to increase the Warriors’ lead to 14-5.
Herrick scored once again and Kittredge rounded out a hat trick, capping off a run of five unanswered goals. Ashland scored on a free position shot; it was one of four in the game.
“I think we were kind of bailing them out in a way,” said Laughna on the fouls. “We played good defense and then at the last second we would go for that check or get out of position… It's something we talk about the whole season.. so just got to keep reinforcing that.”
The bench finished the game strong for the Warriors to help improve the team to a 7-3 record.
