Girls’ lacrosse state finals roundup: Lincoln-Sudbury rallies for first Division 1 title since 1988

L-S (21-2) fell into a 3-0 hole to No. 3 Westwood (22-4) less than 10 minutes into regulation, only to claw back for a 4-3 lead at halftime on the strength of a Harper Friedholm strike with 22 seconds remaining.

The Wolverines, which hadn’t lost a postseason game since 2019, reclaimed the lead, 6-5, with three quick goals in the second half.

Ryan, who scored all three of her goals in the second half, evened things at 7-7 before scoring the final two goals for the Warriors, with the winner coming with 6:08 remaining.

Ava Connaughton scored the last of her game-high five goals with 4:04 remaining for the Wolverines to slice their deficit to one. But L-S played keep-away in the the game’s waning moments as a save by Lydia Mossi on a free position with 2:10 left secured the victory.

“Every year, we’ve been able to take one step forward,” L-S coach Kaillie Kelly said. “They’re the most resilient girls you’ll ever meet.”

Division 2 State

Notre Dame Academy (Hingham) 19, Wayland 5 — The No. 1 Cougars gave the packed crowd at Babson College’s MacDowell Field a lesson in perfection, capping a 25-0 season with a decisive win over second-seeded Wayland to repeat as state champions.

“I’m really proud of the way they handled themselves all season,” said NDA coach Meredith Frank McGinnis, who secured her fourth state title since taking over the program in 2011. “We expected a lot from them, and they responded.”

Wayland’s Jane Tardif opened up the scoring, but NDA quickly adjusted to the Warriors’ style of play and imposed their own pace the remainder of the game. Junior Siobhan Colin, a Canton resident, picked up three first-half goals as the Cougars jumped out to a comfortable 12-3 lead after 25 minutes.

Midway through the first half, NDA recorded back-to-back caused turnovers in their defensive zone, leading to offensive chances going the other way. From there, it was all Cougars. Clemson-bound midfielder Jane Hilsabeck scored three goals and was a towering presence all over the field, showcasing her team’s skill on both sides of the ball.

Five players scored three or more goals in a composed, balanced offensive showing for NDA. Boston College commit Alexa Kenney led the way with five, but the senior captain from Milton emphasized the team’s camaraderie and ability to call on any number of players to contribute.

“The biggest thing for us this season was not only our chemistry on the field, but off the field,” said Kenney. “No one plays selfish, ever, and everyone just wants the best for everyone else.”

Division 3 State

Newburyport 13, Norwell 10 — Back in 2014, as current members of the Newburyport girls’ lacrosse team fell in love with the sport, they watched the Clippers capture a state championship, dreaming of one day reaching that mountaintop.

They chipped away, year by year, stayed resolute following agonizing setbacks, and maintained faith that it could happen. Nine years and four days later, Newburyport outlasted Norwell at Burlington High to clinch a state title.

“We’ve been waiting for this,” said senior captain Anna Affolter. “It’s just an amazing feeling. We want to make Coach Cat [Batchelder] proud, we want to make our team proud, and we played for each other out there. That’s what’s important.”

No. 1 Newburyport (21-2) outscored its opponents, 74-12, in its four resounding tournament wins heading into the final. But No. 6 Norwell (19-5), which made a stellar run outlasting No. 3 Cohasset and No. 2 Medfield by one goal each, gave the Clippers a game effort.

The teams were knotted at 7 at halftime, and at 9 early in the second half, but Newburyport dominated possession and held Norwell to one goal in the final 20-plus minutes. Makenna Ward, Josephine Palma, and goalie Kate Keller anchored a terrific defensive effort.

Izzy Rosa and Olivia McDonald paced Newburyport with three goals each, while Affolter, Lilly Pons, and Reese Brombyadded two apiece.

Maddie McDonald led Norwell with three goals, and Danielle Cox and Reese Stoddard added two each. Coach Kara Connerty loved the way her team battled throughout. She said key turnovers led to opportunities for Newburyport’s balanced attack.

Newburyport junior Rita Cahalane scored the eventual winner with 10:33 remaining, and Newburyport ran out the clock to cement the second state title in program history.

“Our chemistry is just so good,” Rosa said. “It’s obviously bittersweet to leave this team next year, but it was a great ending. Couldn’t ask for a better one.”

Batchelder noted how difficult it is to get back to this point and win one. Newburyport was the No. 1 seed last year and lost in the round of eight. In 2021, the Clippers fell in the semifinals. This one, nine years in the making, was even sweeter.

“I thought we stayed composed, then we finally got some separation,” Batchelder said. “I’m just so proud of these girls.”

Division 4 State

Dover-Sherborn 10, Ipswich 9 — Dover-Sherborn’s senior class is chock full of championship experience. In 2021, they were sophomores on a team that captured the Division 2 crown over Bromfield. Last season, the group played a vital role as the Raiders went 16-9 and upset top-seeded Manchester-Essex in the Division 4 championship game.

In this year’s title game, members of the class of 2023 accounted for every one of Dover-Sherborn’s 10 goals in a come-from-behind victory over top-seeded Ipswich at Babson Park in Wellesley.

“[The seniors] know that at this stage, no matter who we play, it’s going to be a battle,” said Dover-Sherborn coach Erin Massimi. “I think those guys realized that they had to show up, and that’s exactly what they did.”

“Being able to have such a great high school experience with three championship runs, it’s just been so amazing,” said D-S senior captain Magdalena Rieper, who led the team with four goals.

Ipswich controlled play through the first half of the game and held a 5-3 edge heading into halftime, but Dover-Sherborn emerged from the break a new team. The Raiders went on a 5-0 run to open up the second half, an effort that was highlighted by two goals apiece from Rieper, a Tufts commit, and fellow senior captain Riley Spalding.

D-S seniors shined all over the field, with Spalding and Eloisa Luczkow dominating the draw circle, and goaltender Kathryn Mahoney with nine quality saves, including one in the final two minutes to preserve the one-goal lead.

The Tigers, who were led by junior Halle Greenleaf (four goals), mounted a comeback in the waning minutes of the second half, but Dover-Sherborn hung on to secure the title win.

Olivia Nolan reported from Wellesley and Trevor Hass from Burlington High.