BURLINGTON — The Wakefield High girls’ lacrosse team traveled to Burlington on Tuesday seeking a key, league win. After a well-played, back-and-forth matchup, the Warriors left town with a 10-8 victory, improving to 6-9 on the season and 5-5 in Middlesex League play.
“It was another nail-biter of a game,” said head coach Cara Luca. “It was a very competitive and aggressive game played by Burlington but we kept our composure and came out on top.”
With the Red Devils celebrating their senior night and hungry for a win of their own, the game was intense from start to finish.
Wakefield’s attack was led by freshman Teaghan Johnson who finished with five goals. She was also strong in draw controls, picking up nine for the visitors.
Sophomore Keira O’Brien had three goals and an assist. Single tallies were scored by juniors Talia Gilligan and Rory McNeill.
Junior goalie Alla Othman earned 10 saves in the victory. Othman and the defense, including senior captains Maddy Taylor and Shea Suntken along with juniors Emma Ickes and Tori Grace, kept the home team’s attack from getting comfortable and held on late for the win.
Johnson got out to a quick start, scoring a hat trick in the 1st quarter alone. Gilligan’s goal made it four in the opening quarter for the visitors.
Wakefield scored three more in the 2nd — two from O’Brien and one from McNeill.
The second half was even more tense as penalties picked up but to coach Luca’s point, the Warriors kept their focus on the game. O’Brien’s third accounted for Wakefield’s 8th goal.
Johnson scored twice more for Wakefield in the 4th and the Warriors held on for one of their biggest victories of the season. Only a 10-8, road win at Winchester on April 30, the first victory over the Red and Black in team history, rivals the win over Burlington.
“I’m so proud of the way the girls played and the way they were able to work together,” said Luca. “These are the games that will forever stand out.”
The win was also important for Wakefield’s state tournament dreams. The latest Div. 3 power rankings, released before the game on Tuesday morning, had Wakefield ranked No. 24. The top 32 ranked teams automatically qualify. Burlington is ranked No. 17 in Div. 2, making it likely that Wakefield will at the very least jump past Bishop Stang for No. 23.
Perhaps most importantly, Tuesday’s victory provided the Warriors with the confidence that they can compete with anyone, not only left in their remaining three regular season games, but also in the state tournament.
The Warriors will host Watertown (7-9) on Monday at 4 p.m. Their final two games will be in Wilmington (8-9) on May 21 and at home against Lynnfield (5-11) on May 23.