Girls' Lacrosse Demolishes The Hill School

By Michael Yang

Last Saturday, the girls’ varsity lacrosse team went head-to-head against the Hill School. At the conclusion of the game, Big Red won a triumphant 12 to 3. The game marked the first interscholastic game for Big Red in 388 days, and 673 days since the girls’ varsity lacrosse team last stepped onto the field. 

Senior co-captain Marymegan Wright discussed her experience with the game. “This team works so hard, plays so well together, and always brings an amazing attitude to practices and games. Between the amount of people who came to our game, all the work our team has been putting in, and the opportunity to finally play after losing last season, we couldn’t have asked for a better game.”

Lower Sami Smith remarked on the energy at the game. “The lacrosse game looked like any other game except for the masks and the immense amount of energy from not only the team but the fans.”

Head coach Christian Breen added to Sami’s words about the thrill of being back on the field. “It was a beautiful afternoon, with many fellow student athletes in the stands to support GVLAX. It was a glorious day!”

During the game, “we worked well as a team in transition and our speed definitely helped with our attack. Our defense was solid and had really strong communication that shut out the hill for most of the game,” senior Savita Keidel said.

Senior Margaret Norsworthy-Edghill added, “Our team's speed, quickness, stick skills, and overall athleticism were on full display. We're certainly a team full of talent, but the work we put in during the fall, winter preseason, and first week of practice were evident in the way that we truly played as a team no matter the combination of players on the field.”

Senior teammate Molly Theobald added to the enthusiasm of her teammates,.“I am currently injured so I cannot play, but you could just see from the sidelines that everyone was locked in and focused!”

Lower Emilie Dubiel remarked on the first interscholastic game in over a year at Exeter. “It was really exciting to have the first interscholastic game in over a year. Everyone was super excited, and it was amazing that all the hard work we have been putting in during the offseason and practices could pay off.”

Wright exclaimed, “It was super exciting! I think honestly we were less concerned with being the first game back and more excited to have any chance to play at all!”

Norsworthy-Edghill added, “It was incredibly special and definitely contributed to a sense of team pride and unity as well as excitement among ourselves and the campus, which undoubtedly led to the size of the crowd we saw on Saturday. I can't fully express how proud I am of how each member of our team continued with their dedication and diligence in training starting from the beginning of spring break last year, and seeing all of that pay off was so vindicating as well as inspiring for the rest of the season.” 

Theobald praised Breen’s dedication and leadership. “Coach did a great job of making sure that everyone played and I think that it was a great first game that helped boost our team's confidence.”

The practices leading up to the game included “lots of fitness and skill work as we work to find out mojo together,” according to Breen. 

“We spent time on defensive movement drills to help the defense practice their directive communication, slides, and double teams,” added Keidel. 

Norsworthy-Edghill noted the high team morale both before and after the win. “Our practices in and out of season have remained the same in terms of intensity, communication, and expectations,” she said. “We're a team that puts a huge emphasis on playing and working hard as well as on team comradery as evidenced by the buddy system implemented throughout both the off-season and spring, our weekly fire pits that are still running, and the high likelihood that at any given moment you might see a girl's lacrosse player doing wall-ball in or next to the field house.”

Coach Breen described coaching the team as a joy. “This is an incredibly hard working and connected group of players. Each day is a gift to me!”