Girls’ Lacrosse Defeats NMH: 8-4 Victory Extends Big Red’s Winning Streak to Six Games

Last Saturday, the girls’ varsity lacrosse team played away against Northfield Mount Hermon. In their closest game yet, Exeter still crushed their opponent, coming out with an 8-4 win. This victory extended their win streak, and raised their record to 6-0.

From the first whistle, Big Red was mentally prepared to compete. After the long two-hour bus ride, however, the team had a slower start than they have demonstrated in previous weeks. Lower Eleanor Mallett expanded on the game’s stagnant start. “NMH was actually not a particularly challenging opponent—it was more our own composure and cohesive play that was lacking in the first half, and that was the hardest to combat throughout the game,” Mallett said.

At the end of the first half, the score was tied 2-2. Throughout the first half, NMH did a good job keeping the ball in their zone for long periods of time when they had possession. This style of play was much slower than Exeter’s aggressive offensive play, and was a difficult adjustment for the team. Because NMH did not drive to the cage very often, it was harder for the Exeter defense to capitalize on their mistakes. In terms of technical play, NMH did a better job possessing the ball right off the draw and they were always on their toes, winning most of the ground ball game.

"We all hope that we can keep being as successful as we are now and we can only get better from here as the season progresses.”

Despite the team not being their “usual working machine,” as Mallett described them, one of Coach Breen’s trademark speeches at halftime inspired a shift in the team’s energy.

In the second half, Exeter picked up their play and created more scoring opportunities. Lower Anna Reaman specifically identified a turning point in the game. “There was one time during the second half when [upper] Kelsey Detels intercepted a pass from NMH and she drove down the field and passed it off to someone who scored a great goal,” she said. This was just one of the six goals Exeter would go on to score in the second half.

In net, senior Allegra Grant made her presence felt once again. “Allegra kept us in the game by saving the numerous difficult shots on net. Without her talent in the net, the team would not be doing this well,” Reaman explained.

Although the team came out with a win, they recognize that their play in the first half was not up to par. Prep Bella Hillman said,  “We want to see that same type of play over the course of the whole game, not just the second half.”

Even on their off days, however, girls’ varsity lacrosse can still win games. “For a lot of the returners, it feels super good to be winning against the teams that came back and won after trailing versus Exeter. We all hope that we can keep being as successful as we are now and we can only get better from here as the season progresses,” Hillman said.

This Saturday, the team will play at home against Milton Academy, where they hope to continue their success and take their win streak to eight games.