By Jacob Epstein
Sports Reporter
With a win against Belmont last Tuesday, the girls’ lacrosse team improved to 10-8 on the season, sealing a record above .500. This particular team has made history with these achievements, earning the team’s first ever MIAA state tournament berth.
The girls officially booked a spot in this year’s bracket with a win over Cambridge two weeks ago, overcoming a shaky start to the season to accomplish what all high school sports programs desire: a spot in the state tournament.
This victory marked the second win against the Falcons that week, with the Lions winning the first game of the double-header, 10-4, giving the team momentum heading into the all-important playoff-clinching game.
Despite a valiant effort from the Falcons, South proved to be the dominant team throughout the game. Not willing to let the moment to clinch slip from their grasp, as the final whistle blew, the girls realized that they had achieved the goal which they had coveted all season.
“It was an amazing feeling,” junior Kayla Freedman said. “At the end, everyone just ran into the middle of the field screaming, so excited.”
The game ended with a 12-9 South win, causing a celebration full of Lion pride.
To put the icing on the cake, the win against Belmont helps to boost the team’s seeding in the tournament and gather more momentum heading into the postseason.
Throughout the entirety of the season, the team never lost sight of their mission: to make South history and prove themselves as a team.
“No one ever gave up this season. South girls’ lacrosse has a reputation of being kind of a joke and this year I think as a team we were determined to switch that mindset,” senior Elizabeth Barry said.
The girls started off the season slow, fighting through snow and harsh climate while facing a tough array of games to start off their 2015 DCL campaign.
“The beginning of the season was a little shaky mostly because it was a very new team and most of us hadn’t played together,” Freedman said. “By now we all know our playing styles and it’s very easy to all work together and predict what a teammate is going to do and be ready for it.”
Hard work, persistence, and a steady mindset has fueled the engine of this team for the last few weeks. The team has already etched its name into South history and, according to its players, is ready to make even more history.
“We work hard in practice and in games and it feels like the hard work has paid off,” Barry said.
Girls’ lacrosse will travel to Framingham High School on Monday as they take on the Flyers at 3:45 P.M.
