Wellesley girls lacrosse team stays perfect at Needham

NEEDHAM — Prior to this season, there was one major question being asked about Wellesley’s girls lacrosse program: How would the Raiders fare with a roster filled almost entirely with underclassmen following a missed season?

However, when you have players such as Lauren Burke, Alanna Dumalac and Maja Desmond returning, that makes things a little easier.

The trio continued their rampage through the Bay State Conference Monday, scoring 14 combined goals to propel Wellesley to a convincing 16-6 victory over rival Needham.

“I think that while those girls were the ones that scored, I think it was a real team win,” said Raiders coach Steve Balter. “We talked about coming into this game, stopping their fast break. I don’t think they had any fast-break goals, and that’s on our middies and our defense doing a great job on the ride. Offensively … it’s their teammates creating space for them.”

It only took 58 seconds for the Raiders (5-0) to strike, as Desmond opened the scoring by firing an absolute rocket into the cage. The Dartmouth recruit was far from finished. She added two more goals in the first quarter, completing the hat trick with 1:10 remaining, as Wellesley took a 3-1 lead.

“I was really hyped up for the game all week long,” Desmond said. “All day, I was super excited. But I really give credit to our goalie (Ella Kahrl). She was hyping me up the whole time, she made some great saves that contributed to some of my energy, along with my defense.”

In the second quarter, Dumalac decided to take things over. The junior midfielder registered a hat trick of her own within a span of 10:52, providing the Raiders a 7-2 lead at the break.

When it appeared Needham (4-2) was starting to gain some momentum following a pair of goals from junior Kristina Pisano and senior Maddy Foster in the third quarter, the Raiders just flipped a switch and ramped the pressure back up.

Wellesley would go on to rack up six goals in the fourth quarter, highlighted by Dumalac’s sixth and final tally of the day with 1:07 remaining. The junior also finished with seven draw controls for the Raiders in the effort.

When the dust settled, Desmond finished with five goals, while Burke added three for Wellesley.

Pisano notched a hat trick for Needham.

“I think we all play really well together and know how each other play,” Dumalac said. “I don’t think I could have (this success) without (Burke and Desmond).”

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/2Tb2L6N