PEABODY — The seven seniors on this year’s Bishop Fenwick girls lacrosse team are all three-year starters who are well versed in head coach Jill Robinson’s system.
So it should come as no surprise that their talent, experience and know-how has helped the Crusaders off to a terrific start this spring.
Senior Molly Sullivan and captain Hannah Bettencourt each scored three goals while goaltender Courtney McKenzie and a star-studded defensive unit shut down St. Mary’s of Lynn as the hosts took an 8-5 victory Thursday on the turf at Donaldson Field.
“I can’t say I’m surprised at our record (5-1) because of those seven seniors who are back,” said Robinson, whose team returned 10 starters all told. “We knew we had a chance to be very good, and so far the girls are playing that way.”
Those seniors — captain Kiley Bloom at attack, Sullivan and Bettencourt at midfield, Olivia Watson, Meghan Eastman and captain Frankie Herbert on defense, and McKenzie in net — lead the way both through words and actions. Confident in their abilities, they move the ball upfield and into scoring areas smartly while also knowing how to get it out of their defensive zone.
The team’s younger players are also intent on making their own mark this season, too. Junior Breanna Genzale, who can play both midfield and attack, added one goal and a team-best three assists Thursday. Sophomore Neive Bachman, another attack, scored late in the third quarter to give Fenwick a three-goal advantage (7-4), while classmate Cori McMeniman sparkled defensively in front of McKenzie (5 saves).
“Defense has been the star of the show for us,” said Robinson, her team winners of four straight. “We haven’t given up more than six goals in a game all season because of them. Frankie’s so good at what she does; Cori’s a natural defender, and our two low players, Livy and Megan, protect the crease so that no one gets around out front. Then there’s our brick wall in net, Courtney.”
High scoring junior midfielder Ava Nason had a game-high three goals for the visiting Spartans. The second of those tied the game for the final time (4-4) early in the third quarter before Genzale, Sullivan and Bachman (on a great pass from Genzale) gave the home team some breathing room.
“We really started connecting on shooting the ball low in that third quarter,” said Robinson.
“Breanna’s been great for us,” she added. “She’s so athletic and talented. She’s a kid who if you san to her, ‘Go out and score’, she can do that against anyone.”
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