RallyNorth.net

Knights return to title game

Tuesday, June, 09 By Jeff Hamrick

NORTH ANDOVER — While the Scarlet Knights didn't finish off the regular season looking real fit and spruce for the postseason, the North Andover girls lacrosse team has proven more than ready for another strong playoff push.

Less than three weeks removed from a heart wrenching triple-overtime loss to third-seeded Masconomet, the second-seeded Knights took command in the second half last night for a 14-9 victory over the Indians in the North semifinals. It was the second straight year North Andover defeated Masco in the semis and the third straight season the Indians had their season squashed in the same round.

The Knights (17-5) go after their second consecutive North title at 4:30 Thursday at top-seeded Billerica. A second straight championship, however, looked improbable after North Andover closed the regular season losing to both Billerica and Masconomet.

"We have a lot of heart this year," said North Andover coach Meredith Prior, whose squad finished 21-2-1 last year after losing in the state semifinals to Westwood. "We went through a few things that we didn't want to go through at the end of the season.

"But we had the heart to come back to win it (after being tied at halftime). That shows their composure and their smarts. I'd rather see the adversity in the regular season and then see them come out like they've done in the playoffs."

After falling behind by two early, North Andover rallied late to first take a lead before going into intermission tied at 5.

"The draws are the most important thing in the game," said Prior, who watched Masco win seven of the game's first 10 faceoffs. "In the first half, we weren't winning them. But our (defense) kept us in the game. It was phenomenal in the first half, and then they played even better in the second half."

One reason for the offensive spurt, was Prior inserting Abbie Karalis on the draw as the junior won two of the final four before half and four of the first five after the break.

That allowed the Knights to forge a 9-6 lead as Michelle Poirier (two), Leah Chittick (who had three in the first half) and Colleen Chittick each scored goals.

"My focus was just to get the ball for our team," said Karalis, who combined with Emma Johns to win seven of the first 12 draws after intermission. "I wanted to win this game so bad because of losing to them in the regular season. We got ourselves together and realized how much we love our seniors and how it's our year to win the whole thing."

Karalis helped finish off the Indians by scoring three of the Knights' five goals the final 12 minutes when NA turned a 9-8 lead into a 14-8 advantage. Goalie Lauren Hiller ensured her teammates effort would stand, making several critical saves on eight-meter penalty plays.

After falling behind 8-5 early in the second, Masconomet (15-5-1) rallied to within one with goals by Sammy Dindo and Molly Gillespie, who scored twice in a 15-second span after winning draws and streaking down field each time. Both Dindo and Gillespie scored three goals while Meghan Collins had a pair and Grace Fahey had five assists — four in the first half.

"We're an explosive team, and it's just that they got a couple breaks," Masconomet coach Alan McCarthy said. "We lost a few assignments and (the Knights) are too tough. We had to play 50 minutes at the top of our game, and that didn't happen over the course of tonight's game.

"Lacrosse is a game of runs, and unfortunately they put a strong one together. Draws are normally our strength, but we lost three or four possessions there that proved key."