Julia Mara goes in for a goal against the Natick goalie. (Photos by Lisa Aciukewicz)
The Bromfield girls varsity lacrosse team beat the Natick Redhawks 15-12 last Saturday, April 23, in its second home game of the season. The win brought Bromfield’s record to 5-1 and Natick’s to 3-3. The game showcased the Trojans’ strength and exposed weaknesses as they move forward with nine games left in the regular season.
The top Bromfield scorers in Saturday’s game were seniors Tallie Dutkewych with five goals and Julia Mara with four. The remaining goals were scored by senior Megan Hoggins, who struck three times; sophomore Kristen Podgorni, who scored twice; and senior Chloe Scornavacca, who scored once.
The game was more competitive than expected for the Trojans. Bromfield beat Natick by 11 points last season, but five of the Trojans’ key players have since graduated, leaving the two teams more evenly matched.
With 17 total draw controls for Bromfield and 12 for Natick, the teams initially appeared to be equally strong. Both teams grappled for a lead until halfway through the first quarter. With 13 minutes remaining, Bromfield pulled ahead, ending the half at 9-5.
In the beginning of the second half, Natick won two consecutive draw controls, leading to two goals. Natick continued to score, pressuring the Trojans’ defense. At 12 minutes left in the game, co-captain Tallie Dutkewych received a yellow card for a dangerous follow-through. Three minutes later, sophomore Kristen Podgorni was also penalized with a yellow card.
Bromfield held a lead by continually employing a fast break strategy, as opposed to Natick players, who set themselves around the net. The Trojans’ method worked, and coach Maesa Phongsamouth said she was satisfied with how players created scoring opportunities by dashing towards the goal.
Despite the victory, Phongsamouth called it one of the team’s rougher games. The team lost five seniors last year, four of whom now play for Division 1 schools. A lower than expected turnout this season left the team has only three alternates. The team now stands with five seniors, one junior, five sophomores, and four eighth-graders. “Mentality wise, they’re still on the younger side … but hopefully, they’re getting more confident daily, and we’re just really working to get better from each game,” she said.
Co-captain and goalie Peyton VanDorpe had a similar outlook. She said the game went well, but that there was still room for improvement. “Just on our defensive side of things, we have to communicate a lot more,” she said.
Co-captain Tallie Dutkewych (#4) speeds past Natick opponents on her way to scoring five of the team’s 12 goals.
“Hopefully, they learn from what they saw on this, going into next week, because we have a little bit tougher games next week,” said Phongsamouth.
Bromfield won their next game Tuesday, April 26, 20-10 against Wachusett Regional High School, which went into the game with a season record of 3-3. Bromfield was scheduled to play Chelmsford High School (4-3) on Thursday, April 28, and Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School (6-0) on Friday, April 30.
Olivia Muller-Juez is a Bromfield sophomore.
Sue George holds up her phone to FaceTime her father as she nears the finish line. (Photo by Amanda LaRiviere)
