By Tyler Maheu, Staff Sportswriter
Last Thursday night, a game Mount Anthony Patriots squad was no match for Woodstock’s offensive firepower, as the Wasps girls lacrosse team won their match 17-6.
The Patriots came into the game with seven wins and appeared to pose a tough challenge after a tight first quarter. Both teams traded two goals apiece before a net-finder from senior Aleks Cirovic gave Woodstock a 3-2 lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
“MAU is strong every year, so we knew this game would be more challenging,” said Woodstock head coach Amanda Hull. “I think we came out feeling that, maybe the pressure, and had to get our feet under us.”
They found their feet in the second quarter, ripping off five straight goals to take an 8-2 lead, two of which came off the stick of sophomore Sarea Beardsley.
Mount Anthony wouldn’t go down without a fight, however, as they soon netted three straight of their own, two from Riley Laupron and one from Cate Cummings. Laupron was dominant, scoring five of her team’s six goals. The Patriots’ physical style of play on both defense and offense seemed to briefly stifle the Wasps.
“They were a physical team, and that’s a different mindset for us to face,” said Hull. “It was good for us to see that.”
After their three-goal outburst, the Patriots were held to just one goal the rest of the game, thanks to a great performance from Woodstock’s senior goaltender Jessica Baumann.
Four different Wasps scored goals in the third quarter: Beardsley (one), sophomore Betta Cirovic (two), junior Ryann Hughes (two), and sophomore Alaythia Lockhart (one). Lockhart’s goal sent the team into a frenzy, as it came from an unlikely source on a perfect assist from Cirovic. Lockhart, typically a defender, was given playing time as an attacker Thursday and made it count.
In the end, six different Wasps scored on the night, with Betta Cirovic leading all with five goals. “If you look at all the games we’ve played, four to eight different girls are scoring,” said Hull. “That’s a big plus for us.”
With the win, Woodstock improved to 10-2 on the season and retained possession of first place in the Vermont Principals’ Association Division II. This week, the Wasps had their two remaining games before the playoffs: Saturday versus Green Mountain (a 16-3 win) and Tuesday, May 26, against Rutland (a 20-5 win).
