Friends’ Central defeats Shipley to advance to FSL final

Displaying a rock-solid defense, the Friends’ Central girls’ lacrosse squad defeated Shipley, 17-2, Tuesday in the Friends Schools League semifinals.

This victory was led by senior captain Sophie MacFarlane, who scored six goals.

Before the game, FCS assistant coach Kylie Young, when asked what the team would do to shore up its porous defense displayed in a recent 18-15 loss to Bishop Shanahan, replied that the Phoenix planned to “put high intensity on both sides of the ball and stick to our defensive plan.’

FCS did just that, holding to the Shipley offense to one goal in the first half en route to a 7-1 halftime lead.

In the second half, the FCS offense continued to pound the Gator defense with great passing around the perimeter and by drawing the Shipley players out of position. The FCS defense held together, refusing to be pulled out of position and letting no one cut through the middle unchallenged or without a defender close at hand.

Friends’ Central head coach Lauren Rubin, when asked about what her team would need to do to win the FSL finals, replied, “We need to stay hungry and keep working hard.’