The Bromfield varsity lacrosse team beat Hopedale Junior Senior High School 15-4 in a strong display of the team’s growth over the season. The win raises Bromfield’s record to 3-13, and lowers Hopedale to 4-11. However, after a string of losses and a forced forfeit, the Trojans are on the brink of not qualifying for the state tournament despite their recent victory.
The Trojans started the game strong, winning the first draw control and point. They maintained this lead, with captain Kristin Podgorni making five goals and five assists and captain Cavanna Aldrich scoring four goals. Other scorers were sophomore Hanna Wicks with three goals; captain Savannah Kuliesis with two goals and two assists; and freshman Eliza Feltz with two goals. The Trojans kept their edge, winning 18 of 21 draw controls. Sophomore Joana Juliano won the most draw controls with five, with Wicks and Podgorni each taking four.
Clean and dirty
Though the game appeared to be a clean sweep for Bromfield, many players succumbed to dirty fouling. “There were some moments on the field that I’ve never seen on a lacrosse field before,” said Bromfield coach Ali Wicks.
With three minutes left in the third quarter, a Hopedale player retaliated against Podgorni, pushing her as she ran by and slapping her across the back with her stick. Coach Wicks immediately called a timeout to sort the issue. Though refs did not see the foul, both teams recognized an aggressive and confrontational level of play. Fortunately no players were injured, and Wicks said she was proud of her players for “cooling off” and “playing a clean second half.”
The win against Hopedale placed Bromfield on the bubble for the MIAA Division 4 state tournament. The next game made Bromfield’s position more tenuous.
No refs showed up to the home game against North Middlesex on Monday, May 20, resulting in a default forfeit against Bromfield. The score was recorded as 0-7 because of the way point margins affect tournament standings. This was particularly devastating to the Trojans, who lost to North Middlesex by just one goal in the last seconds of their previous game on May 2. “We were really excited to come out and show them what we’re made of yesterday, but that didn’t happen, unfortunately,” remarked coach Wicks.
Because Bromfield beat Hopedale by 11 points, the win and forfeit cancel out, leaving the Trojans shifting among the last three spots of 32 teams in the tournament. Bromfield’s next game is scheduled against Hudson High School (4-11) on Thursday, May 23. The Trojans hope to win by 7 points or more to claim a spot in the approaching state tournament.
Olivia Muller-Juez is a Bromfield senior.
Lacrosse team seniors pose for a photo with their families on senior day, May 14. From left: Andrew, Savanah, Kimberly, and Kevin Kaliesis; Derek, Kristin, and Erica Podgorni; and Rob, Cavanna, and Colleen Aldrich. (Photo by Lisa Aciukewicz)
