Friends’ Central wins Friends Schools League title
The Friends’ Central girls’ lacrosse team, which captured the Friends Schools League championship May 15 with a 15-7 win against Germantown Friends in the championship final, had extra motivation to beat GFS after losing in the league final to them last year.
Before the May 15 championship final, Friends’ Central head coach Lauren Rubin said that in order to beat GFS, “We have to win the draw, take advantage of every opportunity, and score [as often as possible] with each possession.’
Friends’ Central followed this blueprint to the letter, scoring on the numerous turnovers the GFS offense committed and rarely missing the goal during their numerous offensive possessions, giving them an early 8-0 lead. A huge burst of energy from the Tigers shortened that lead to four goals by halftime.
In the second half, the Friends’ Central offense was red-hot, using great cuts from up top and strong drives through the GFS defenders to score. Also, the FCS defense was strong, forcing turnovers and preventing the Germantown Friends team from getting many shots on goal.
Despite a last ditch desperate effort by GFS in the last 12 minutes of the game to catch up, the Friends’ Central offense refused to turn the ball over, sealing their league championship.
Friends’ Central senior defender and captain Lisa Bernstein, “This win feels that much better because we lost last year, and it feels 10 times better because of getting redemption.’
Bernstein and Hannah Posencheg held GFS’s two top scorers to one goal each, and the entire defensive unit of Avital Schweitzer, Miranda Mastrocola (one goal, two draw controls, two ground balls), Lorna Macfarlane (two goals, one assist, three draw controls, two caused turnovers) and Abby Crowley (two goals, two ground balls, one caused turnover) were outstanding all day, according to FCS head coach Lauren Rubin. The FCS coach added that Sophie Berger and Hayden Posencheg were standouts on redefense and in transition, and together they combined for six ground balls and three caused turnovers and forced GFS into multiple midfield mistakes. Rubin also added that Lorna Macfarlane dictated play through the midfield.
Anne Pizzini had six saves and one ground ball, including two big saves at the end of the game to thwart any comeback attempts by GFS. Jesse Rubin led all scorers with five goals and three assists and pulled in four draw controls.
Other FCS standouts included Sophie Macfarlane (three goals, one assist, two caused turnovers) and Emily Tedesco (two goals, two assists, two ground balls.)
