Apponequet girls’ lacrosse defeats Sachems, preps for state championships
LAKEVILLE – While both teams scored in the first five minutes, the Lakers girls varsity lacrosse team decisively defeated the Sachems during their matchup on Friday, May 16.
This was the second time the Lakers and Sachems faced each other this season. Rated number five in the state’s power rankings, Apponequet scored 20 goals to Middleboro’s four.
Despite some good saves made by Middleboro’s goalie Liv Warren at the start of the game, the Lakers were up 9 to one with just under eight minutes to go in the second quarter. By the halfway point, the gap had increased 15 to one.
Middleboro managed to score three more points in the last half of the game but couldn’t make a comeback. The Lakers’ record for the season now stands at 14 wins and 2 losses. Middleboro currently has 4 wins and 12 losses.
“Apponequet is tough team,” noted Sachems Head Coach Sarah Bonaparte. Bonaparte added that some of the biggest challenges during the game were driving through the Laker’s defense and getting the ball passed the Lakers’ goalie Ally Arruda. Arruda has committed to playing lacrosse at Worcester State University.
Bonaparte also said playing the Lakers is especially difficult because Apponequet is not in the same conference.
Apponequet has already qualified for the state tournament, according to Lakers Head Coach Cindy Cuthbertson, for which team pairings will be released at the end of May. Any team that wins more than half of its games in a season automatically makes the cut.
Cuthbertson, who’s been coaching lacrosse for 12 years and field hockey for 33, noted she was especially proud of the team’s transition game during Friday’s matchup. Transition game refers to a team’s ability to get the ball back down the field once they have possession.
She also said her players are good at reacting when someone is “double teamed.” On those occasions, teammates step up and score points, she said.
Cuthbertson hopes to strengthen the teamwork and tighten up the Lakers defense as the team prepares for the state tournament.
