Charlotte Beecher, Reporter
@Charlottebcour1
Last week, the girls lacrosse team beat Darien 7-5, breaking their 85 game consecutive winning streak against FCIAC opponents. This was the girls’ first game due to their two week quarantine, which also only allowed them to have one practice before the game. After not having a season last year, this was a well deserved win for the girls team.
In the game, Dillyn Patten scored two goals, and Kaleigh Harden scored two goals. Goalie Claire Mahoney was also able to block many shots throughout the game.
Winter sports revolved around COVID-19 cautions and mask wearing. As the spring season now roles into play, outdoor fields and increased vaccinations will allow for a more “normal” looking season. But, this season will still be much different from the most recent 2019 spring season. For girls lacrosse, some of those differences will include limited amounts of spectators in the stadium and still a more restricted schedule.
The absence of a 2020 spring season has affected this year because instead of only having to evaluate the freshman for the first time, coaches now have to evaluate the sophomores as well. “It’s going to be a lot different because I have not seen the tenth graders play and the ninth graders are obviously new,” Girls Lacrosse Head Coach Kristen Woods said. “Not having a season last year will definitely impact the makeup of teams and COVID protocols.”
Mckenna Harden shoots on goal in the first quarter. Mckenna and her sister Kaleigh both earned all FCIAC honors in the last lacrosse season. Photo by Charlotte Beecher
How other schools are proceeding with spring sports could also have an effect on who is able to play. Currently girls lacrosse is not able to play out of state teams, resulting in the elimination of games between New York schools and New Canaan. Coach Woods did report that there are some games and scrimmages already scheduled for this season. “Our team has booked two games against Darien, and we added Greenwich to our schedule,” she said. “We added a scrimmage against Greenwich Academy and then Sacred Heart Academy of Greenwich to increase the intensity of the schedule, which normally we would have gotten from out of state teams.”
Even though the girls don’t have to wear masks while actively playing, social distancing is enforced on the sidelines. Keeping in mind that coaches have not seen the ninth or tenth graders play before, Coach Woods said the size of the team will remain the same as previous years. “Normally we carry a roster of 22-25 girls on all three teams, that’s what we’re going to go with this year.” She said.
Spectators are limited to one or two parents, wearing masks. Although this does not affect the actual playing of the game, will it affect the energy and excitement of the players if there are not as many fans to cheer them on in the stadium? “I think the energy will still be there, I think the kids are excited even more this year to get back out on the field, because we missed last season,” Coach Woods said. “I think there is going to be an excitement there that no crowd can get you fired up for.”
