June 4, 2007

The Gray Sweeties 5th Grade Girls Lacrosse team concluded their regular season this past Sunday June 3rd with an easy win over the Falcons of Bayville. The game was not nearly as close as the 10-6 score made it appear, as the Sweeties blew out to a 7-1 halftime lead, and were up by 9-2 after three quarters. Only a late rally by Bayville in the final minutes closed the gap to the final score.

The Sweeties started strong, led by Haley O'Hanlon, who scored three of the Sweeties five first quarter goals. The passing was crisp and Katherine Malhame assisted on two of Haley's goals, including one where she hustled after a rebound of her own shot, recovered the ball behind the net and fed Haley in front for the easy shot. Caitlin Rieger assisted on Haley's second goal to put the Sweeties up 2-0, then scored herself on an assist from Jacqueline O'Hare, who had a typically active game. After Haley's third goal, Katherine then closed the scoring in the first after a determined drive to the net. She was assisted by Kayla Murphy, who seemed to control the draws all game.

The defense was very solid throughout. The Sweeties gave up few quality scoring chances and shut out the Falcons in the second quarter. When Bayville did get off shots, Evan Molitor was there to make crucial saves. She finished with seven saves for the game. The starting defense of Julia Dignam, Melanie McHugh and Alex Riceman played tough girl-on-girl defense and were ball hawks, with each scooping ground balls in the first quarter. For the game, Melanie led the team by grabbing four ground balls, followed by Kelly Tierney and Haley, with three each, and Sage Fuller and Jackie O'Hare with two apiece. Melanie also scored a goal to start the second quarter on a pass from Haley. Jamie Sweet, whose speed helped keep the Falcons on their heels, assisted on the final goal of the first half, hitting Katherine in front with a beautiful pass to make the score 7-2 at the half.

Control was the key in the second half. The efforts of Regan Marooney, Meghan Mulhall and Taylor Will were key on ground balls and they helped control the ball on the attack and through mid-field, as did Kristen Rasquin and Kelly Tierney on defense. Despite being ahead by more than three goals and having to make three complete passes in the attack zone before shooting, the Sweeties still managed to outscore Bayville in the third. Sage scored a goal to start the scoring, on an assist by Alex Riceman, who then scored a goal herself to close the third, as Sage returned the favor with an assist on Alex' goal.

In the fourth quarter, with the result really no longer in doubt, the Falcons made a strong push while the Sweeties were still playing under the three pass rule and no draws after goals. The score did get to 9-6, but the Sweeties quashed the rally, with the final goal being scored by Haley on an assist by Melanie. The Sweeties then controlled the ball and ran out the clock to take the win.

The Sweeties finished the regular season winning 7 games, and will be playing in the post-season in the upcoming Jay Gallagher Tournament on June 17, 2007. The coaching staff would like to thank all of the players, whose skill, determination, hard work and spirited but fair play make coaching them a pleasure each week. Additionally, and no less importantly, the coaching staff would like to thank each player's family and all of the friends of the team, without whose dedication and participation, the season could not be quite as successful or nearly as much fun. See you at Jay Gallagher Tournament.