Goalkeeper Darragh O’Connor comes up with a save in a game against Tahanto, April 30. (Photos by Lisa Aciukewicz)
Claire Lackner outpaces her opponent in a game against Tahanto, April 30.
Hanna Wicks gets boxed in.
It’s been a rough few weeks for the girls varsity lacrosse team as its 2024 season gets underway. At the bottom of their league with a 0-6 record, the loss Friday, April 26, against Nashoba Regional High School reminded the young team to focus on team-building and improvement, rather than on winning games.
Bromfield’s 17-9 loss in their latest game against Nashoba was their smallest margin of the season. Co-captain Kristin Podgorni led Bromfield’s scoring with four goals and two assists, followed by co-captain Savannah Kulieses, who scored two goals, two assists. Sophomore Hanna Wicks scored two goals, and third co-captain Cavanna Aldrich made one goal.
Bromfield won 12 draw controls and made 18 turnovers. Their goalies, sophomore Darragh O’Connor and junior Charlotte Churchill, made eight saves between them.
Two years ago, the Trojans played competitively through the state championship, finishing the season as semifinalists with a record of 19-2. Aldrich, Podgorni, and Wicks all played during those seasons, and they are working together to adapt to this year’s challenges, namely, a young roster.
“We have a lot of younger players on our roster this year, many of whom are stepping into positions they had no idea they would be responsible for,” commented Aldrich. The team is composed of four seniors, one junior, seven sophomores, and five freshmen. “This of course creates a learning curve for the entire team, but honestly, I think we are all doing a great job grappling with the many challenges that are being thrown at us,” said Aldrich.
The team also has a new coach this year, Ali Wicks, who was assistant coach last year and previously coached junior varsity. Aldrich described her as “uplifting” and “a master at keeping her spirits high in times when no one else would be able to.”
All things considered, the team’s attitude this season is positive, with less emphasis on winning games and more on building the lacrosse community. The team’s new priorities are to make positive examples for younger lacrosse players. Aldrich, a Harvard Youth Lacrosse coach, said, “It is important to keep in mind that we are the role models for the little laxers and that the future is only growing brighter for our Harvard lacrosse programs!”
Bromfield was scheduled to play Tahanto Regional Middle/High School Tuesday, April 30.
Olivia Muller-Juez is a Bromfield senior.
