CHS Girls' Lacrosse Returns Firepower For Another Title Hunt

March 28, 2010 by Greg Lederer

Senior Day held high stakes for the Cheshire High School girls' lacrosse team last year. The Rams hadn't defeated rival Daniel Hand nor held the Southern Connecticut Conference regular season title since 2006. Cheshire stunned the Tigers by building a 10-3 lead at halftime, but as indicative of their series, Hand rallied to within a single goal. The final minute-and-a-half felt like an eternity, as the Rams clung tightly to a 14-12 advantage. When the final whistle sound, the girls could celebrate a 14-13 victory.
“It is funny how things go in cycles. For me, I didn't think of it that way because we've played so many competitive games over the years,” said Cheshire Head Coach Dan Warburton, of beating the Tigers. “For the players who hadn't defeated them or won a title, it was huge. It is one of the most memorable games I've had here.”
Cheshire fell short 12-9 during third meeting in the SCC title game. Warburton hopes that experience will pay dividends this spring. Despite graduating 11 seniors, six of which started on defense, Cheshire returns many key contributors from a 14-6 season.
“We had a lot of productive players from the 2009 class we have to fill in for,” stated Warburton. “We have a lot of talent on the 2010 team. It's really important anytime you can return several integral parts from last year. They have been there and played in championship games. Not only do they have experience, but young players can also see their example.”
Warburton sets a goal every year of winning the SCC regular season. The Rams haven't held the tournament crown since 2006, so that honor means a lot to nine seniors.
“It was definitely a memorable moment (defeating Hand) and we want to win that tournament too, this year,” said senior Katharine Eddy, a mid-fielder.
Eddy (81 goals, 38 assists), a captain with classmates Kailey Farrell (72 goals, nine assists) and Alyssa Dupont (23 goals, five assists), return to lead an explosive offense. Cheshire broke the single-season record with 276 goals last spring.
“We have good potential, just have to use it,” added Dupont. “We have a good group coming back.”
Eddy made school history by becoming the first player to crack 80 goals and 30 assists in a season, earning All-American Honorable Mention/All-State/All-Southern Connecticut Conference first team. She broke the single-game record for goals (nine), as Cheshire won in Branford for the first time since 2005. Unfortunately, she fell a goal short of tying the single-season record of 2001 graduate Jennifer Martha. Eddy suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in the first half of the Division I first round. The Rams (14th seed) ended the season with a 20-8 loss at Avon (third seed).
“She is a hard worker and has done everything she can. She works so hard that she developed a stress fracture in her foot,” stated Warburton. “She should be playing soon. We need her healthy.”
After sitting out field hockey and ski seasons, Eddy wants to play alongside teammates again.
“I feel great. I'm excited to come back,” added Eddy, who will play at Colby College (Waterville, Maine).
Eddy and 2006 graduate Dana Heritage (Middlebury College-Vermont) are the only players to start four years for Warburton. But, Eddy's impact goes beyond 119 points.
“The special thing about Katharine is she affects so many aspects of the game. That is what makes her so valuable,” explained Warburton. “She is a great defender, good on the draw, and one of the best offensive players in the state. She can also scoop ground balls.”
Cheshire has balance to prevent opponents from singling out a player. Farrell (All-State second team/All-SCC first team) has similar size and stick skills to Eddy. Their chemistry rivals any scoring tandem from Connecticut.
“We've playing together since seventh grade,” reflected Farrell. “Hopefully, we can do as well this year.”
Farrell, who signed a scholarship to Monmouth University (West Long Branch, New Jersey), was among 36 players selected as 'Super Juniors' last year. Playing at Harvard University in June, she tallied a hat trick to lead Connecticut to a 13-8 victory over Massachusetts.
“I think what people don''t realize is that in 14 years of girls' lacrosse here, only five players have scored more than 70 goals. Kailey is in that group,” said Warburton. “She is strong, fast, and good on defense. I'd love to have her on attack, but she may have to play mid-field like last year.”
Dupont is the lone returning starter on attack. Captain Ali Zelisko (All-SCC first team) and Becca McCormick both graduated. In what she considers a defining moment, Dupont came up big during the regular season finale last year. With Hand paying close attention to Eddy and Farrell, Dupont was aggressive from the start and compiled a career-high four goals.
“I only get to improve from that,” stated Dupont.
“I think she is one of our stronger players,” Warburton explained. “From what I saw at tryouts, she can definitely step up and do a nice job.”
Junior attack Jess Sudock produced six goals and two assists last season. Sophomores Maria Blois, Alexis Sansone, and Alyssa Hague all made the varsity team during their first year. Sansone started every game at mid-field, after Blois incurred a stress fracture in the season opener. Blois contributed a goal and three assists in that game, so Warburton is excited to see what she can do over a full season.
“Maria is a player that can make a huge difference. She is like Katharine in that she impacts the game in different ways,” said Warburton. “Alexis is a great kid and got a lot of valuable experience last year. She is a hard worker and will be a good player for years to come.”
The versatility of senior Mariah McKechnie could be a wildcard. McKechnie cracked the lineup as a sophomore mid-fielder and then filled a defensive role last year.
“I think she will wind up at attack. She has starting experience and a good understanding of the game,” added Warburton.
Cheshire hopes to build chemistry at the defensive end. Graduated captains Irene Kalbian (All-State/All-SCC first team) and Katie Liberopoulos, along with Sarah DeFrancesco, Kathleen DeVylder, Lindsay Reihl, and goalkeeper Christine Collins vacate positions.
“It just depends on getting experience together,” explained Warburton. “We have an athletic group that should be solid by mid-season.”
Senior Brittany Gladish and junior Paige Pikulski made a significant impact last spring. Gladish was recognized with Most Improved Player, while Pikulski caused turnovers and collected ground balls.
“I think she (Gladish) is one of our most important defenders. She has a good stick and experience,” said Warburton. “At the end of last year, Paige was playing very well. We missed her when she wasn't out there. She is a difference maker and has to be a leader with Brittany on low 'D.'”
Goalkeeper is another key position. After starting for the last two years, Collins is playing at Keene State College (New Hampshire).
“(Senior) Ashley Roberts will get her chance to play,” stated Warburton. “You can't only go by a goalie's stats. It is up to the defense to help them.”
Kalbian was named 2009 MVP for her unique skill set. While being a ground ball leader and transitioning from defense to offense, she also smashed the single-season record for goals by a D-Wing.
“We relied on Irene for transition,” recalled Warburton. “We have athletic kids who can fill that role. It will be a few players instead of one.”
After opening with four home games last season, the Rams will face an opposite road. Cheshire visits Newtown (April 8, 4:15 p.m.), Simsbury (April 10, 10 a.m.), and Mercy (April 13, 3:45 p.m.) before hosting South Windsor on April 17, at 10 a.m. The Rams look to snap a four-game losing streak to Newtown, including last year's 16-15 loss in the opener.
“I think at the beginning of the year, it helps being on the road. You can get away from things,” reflected Warburton. “We will have home games later in the season.”
Hand (April 20, May 20), Branford (April 27), Guilford (April 22, May 18), Amity (April 29), and Hamden (May 6) are SCC rivals. Glastonbury (May 15), East Lyme (April 24), and Conard (May 11) are consistently among the state's top teams. Windsor (May 13) has been added to the schedule for the first time in years.
“I'm excited. I think it will be a really good year,” said Eddy.