This year’s varsity lacrosse season has taken a few unfortunate turns, forcing the team to contend with the loss of two goalies and a season cut short by the coronavirus. Nonetheless, the strong bond of the players enabled them to push through these obstacles and grow even stronger as a team.

The team’s starting goalie unexpectedly quit before the first game, but luckily Gia ‘22 stepped up to fill the spot for the team. Sadly, Gia broke her wrist shortly after taking the position. Despite the unfortunate circumstances, Adriana ‘20 volunteered to fill Gia’s spot.

“Stepping up as the new goalie during the season was both nerve-wracking and exhilarating,” Adrianna said. “This was my first season of lacrosse as I had previously rowed crew throughout high school, so ultimately I was very scared of messing up and disappointing the team.”

Adrianna’s teammates and coach helped her adjust to her new position.

“I was soon welcomed with an immense amount of support from my teammates and coaches which ultimately fueled my confidence in the position and allowed me to not only trust my teammates but to trust myself as well,” Adrianna said.

Despite losing two goalies, the team won their first game against Westridge, 11-9.

“Our first game was not our best game this season, but as the games progressed and we played together more and more and practiced together more, I think we had really gelled,” midfielder, Audrey ‘21 said. 

The team ended their season short with a loss against Glendale, 10-17.

“I was really proud of that game in particular because I feel like we all played so hard and we were all starting to get to know each other. We really came together as a team,” Audrey said. 

The team has worked to stay connected while away from school. Every Monday and Thursday the team meets on Zoom to work out together. Coaches Meghan Toomey and Kaitlin Stewart set up a virtual team training Google folder of at-home workouts including strength circuits, stick work routines, and foot-work routines. The coaches have also initiated a friendly competition between the team where each player enters the number of workouts they complete or minutes ran in a day into an shared Google spreadsheet. Whoever does the most reps or minutes is put at the top of the leaderboard. Despite these efforts, the players felt the virtual meetings were not the same as face-to-face interaction.   

“It’s such a disappointment not being on the field with my team because now I don’t get that time after school to see my lacrosse friends,” defender Mira ‘21 said.

The circumstances are especially difficult for seniors who will miss events like senior night, and won’t have another opportunity to be on the team next year. 

“Even though they were able to lead the team for a short amount of time, they weren’t able to for the full time, which makes me really sad because we’re not going to have the chance to play again together next year” Audrey said.

After a rough season and many untimely setbacks and obstacles, the Marlborough varsity lacrosse team’s connections to each other remain unbroken and stronger than ever. 

“At the end of the day we’re all teammates and I love them all so much,” Audrey said. “I love my team! I could not say that more.”