HOLDEN — The Wachusett Regional High girls’ varsity lacrosse team has had its share of ups and downs over the past years, but this could be the time that this gritty group of Mountaineers puts it all together to erase what have been too many heartaches.
The team has gotten off to a 3-0 start in 2024, and although some of those victories came down to the narrowest margins possible, it’s all been a motivator for sure, say players and coaches.
“It’s been over 10 years since we were 3-0, and so we want to keep going and keep the energy high throughout the season,” said senior captain and Iona University-bound Meg Jones. “Ever since our pre-season meetings, we’ve set goals and told all the new girls that we want to be a big competitor this year. Our biggest goal was to beat teams that we’ve never beaten before, and we’ve already done that with two games. We definitely set goals before the season and before each game.”
“We really set the tone,” echoed senior co-captain Rileigh Leary, who will be joining the U.S. Coast Guard in the fall. “Typically, we don’t do that well in Mid-Wach (League), We have a lot of young girls on this team, and as older girls, we try to set an example for them. That creates a good dynamic for everyone. I think that that we’re going to be a good team this year. It (winning) sets the tone for the rest of the season.”
Wachusett defeated Algonquin Regional (17-4), Minnechaug Regional (19-17) and Leominster High (15-14) before dropping a 12-22 decision to Chelmsford High last week.
“Our girls really did a good job coming into the season learning to adapt to the environment and the game at hand. Each team that we’ve played is uniquely strong,” said head coach Jill Liposky. “I think the team’s been good in adapting to situations that arise.
“We go through our goals every year. We come to practice every day and work hard. The main thing is to practice like we’re going to give ourselves a challenge for the games. That way, our defense is pushing our offense, and our offense is pushing our defense. It sets the game mentality.”
“In practices, we all come together. We try to identify what our weaknesses are and build off them so we’re stronger together as a team,” senior co-captain Kaitlyn Head acknowledged. “Before our games, we’ll do affirmations and come together as a team. We’ll say the things that we want to do well with each other.
“I like the group dynamics with this team. There’s no tensions between people. It’s a good team to be on. Everyone’s friendly.”
One aspect of the team’s comportment this year will be putting team ahead of individual, said Liposky. That’s already been seen with the squad preaching and believing in their success coming by collective effort.
“We need to play as a unit and having this whole ecosystem and wholistic team approach,” echoed Liposky. “As the season progresses you’ll see a lot more people are stepping up within the team, which create opportunities for us. And that’s the biggest strength I’ve seen so far.
“I love the culture. This is going to be a real positive year for us. I also think our leadership has developed that over the past few years playing together. It’s the team approach, and it comes from the sidelines to the on-field play of the team.”
Members of the 2024 Wachusett Regional High girls’ varsity lacrosse team are seniors Kaitlyn Head, Jordan Jarvi, Meghann Jones, Nadia Krasheninin and Rileigh Leary; juniors Alexis Gamache, Emily Hazen, Hannah McGurn, Kate Robinson and Eloise White; sophomores Jayla Bertrand, Elyse Gamache, Alison Jones, Sydney Marshall and Lilliana Mitchell; and freshmen Alison Fontaine, Clara Robinson and Evelyn White. Captains are Leary, Head and Meghann Jones.
