ST. ALBANS – The BFA-St. Albans Comets varsity lacrosse team hosted the Vergennes/Mount Abe Eagles on Wednesday, May 6, at the Collins-Perley Sports Complex. The Comets put together a 14-9 win and capitalized on a strong second half.
The Eagles got the scoring started just over four minutes in. The Comets would rally and get a goal from Braelyn Fitzgerald to knot the game 1-1 a few minutes later. Another marker would put the Eagles ahead less than a minute later, but Dahlia Steele would score her first of the game just seconds later to tie the game 2-2. Tatum Norris would then put the Comets up 3-2 with a goal with under 3 minutes to go in the quarter. June Yates-Rusch finished off the first quarter hat trick for the Eagles with the tying goal less than a minute later, and the Eagles would strike again just over 20 seconds later, netting the go-ahead goal. Steele would strike once again as time ticked away in the opening quarter, and the score went to the second quarter tied at 4.
The Comets picked up their defensive play in the second quarter, and despite allowing the first goal of the 2nd and trailing 5-4, they were poised to create separation. Steele finished off the hat trick just over two minutes into the quarter, and Marley Johnson scored to put the Comets up 6-5 with just over five minutes remaining in the half. The Eagles would tie the game 6-6 less than two minutes later, but that was the last time they’d be able to keep up. Steele would net two more goals before the half, and the Comets took the lead 8-6 heading into the break.
Fitzgerald finished off her hat trick with 2 goals in the third quarter for the Comets, and strong defensive play, combined with several stops from goalie Trinity Hemond, sent the Comets to a 10-6 lead heading to the final quarter.
The Eagles scored first in the final quarter to close the score to 10-7, but the Comets responded as Gabby Fraties deposited the ball into the net just over two minutes in to rebuild the lead to 11-7. Fitzgerald scored again shortly after to go up 12-7. The Comets would surrender a quick breakout goal to the Eagles, but Lilly Ferraro responded with a goal to put the Comets up 13-8 with just over 5 minutes left. Steele scored her fifth goal of the game with less than three minutes to go to increase the lead to 14-8. It was too much for the Eagles to overcome, in spite of a late goal, and the Comets celebrated the 14-9 victory on their home turf.
Greg Bessette
Dahlia Steele paced the Comets with 5 goals on the day. Braelyn Fitzgerald scored 4 goals and contributed an assist. Trinity Hemond played a solid game in net for the Comets, making some key stops en route to the victory.
The Eagles were led by June Yates-Rusch, who scored 3 goals. Callie Rule and Mattea O’Bryan each scored 2 goals for the Eagles.
Braelyn Fitzgerald talked about what helped her fuel the Comets’ win after the game: “I think getting around the defense and using my speed to my advantage. If I can get around the defense and look for my open teammates, I think that’s really helpful to the team.” She added, “We’ve been working really hard, not just this year, but in years past to get our chemistry going, and I think we’re finally starting to see that, so it’s really rewarding.”
Dahlia Steele spoke about the impact of the victory. “It was big. Going in, we had some losses under us, so having a win is going to spark the team.” When asked about her vision on the attack, she added, “I try to look for people, and to see what’s open. If it’s there, it’s there, and I do my best.” On the team’s momentum, she said, “I see a big change in the team in the last week. We’ve really been coming together, and I think that it’s really going to spark something for us.”
Comets coach Mary Pipes was ecstatic about her team’s win, saying, “I’m very, very proud. They’ve been working on the mental aspects of the game, and today they finally put it all together. I’ve seen glimpses of their game throughout the first four games of the season, and it was really nice to see it put together. They played a great game, but really, that’s not even their potential yet. That’s the best part is that they’re going to get even better. Now they know they can do it. They just needed to believe in themselves.”
She added, “We have a really solid team. Our bench is strong, and all the players are strong. We have a really solid team, and a lot of speed, which is great, and a lot of aggression, but it’s controlled.” Speaking to the physical battle, she added, “They were able to maintain their cool and not let that upset them. A lot of times in the past, we’ve been in situations where you kind of let that get into your game. They’re trying to get into your head, but these girls did not let that get into their game today, and that’s really awesome, and I’m really proud of them.”