Spring has been rough for all of us New Jersians so far. Rain, dark clouds, and chilly weather – no one seems to be able to catch a break. Lucky enough for the girls lacrosse team, the one day so far of blue skies and sunshine was a game day. Waking up on a Saturday morning to sunny weather whilst a bagel is cooking up in the toaster is the way most of the team prepped. Unfortunately, the good weather was not enough to secure Madison a win during their game on 4/2 against West Morris Central. 

Compared to the girls’ first game against Caldwell, goals were sparse. The first half of the game was a tough battle for the Madison girls to get a goal in the back of the net. Finally, just six minutes shy of the end of the first half, freshman Gabby Mariani managed to score off an assist from junior, Gwen Eilender.

As the half ended, the score was 1-4, West Morris leading. 30 seconds After halftime, after a moment to decompress and a chance to regroup with the team, junior Gwen Eilender scored. Following another goal from West Morris, no other goals were scored by either team until the last leg of the game. 

In that time, freshman SK Preston was stellar in the mid-field, having caused three turnovers and winning two draw controls. Junior Rileigh Baggett and sophomore Paige Lutz were not afraid to get down and dirty, each accumulating four ground ball controls. Junior Fiona Beacom and freshman Riley Holland each had two caused turnovers and one interception, while freshman Hadley Holland had two caused turnovers, one ground ball control and one draw control. 

Sophomore Sophia Modi has had a great first two games of the season. Modi, who is the returning varsity goalie from last year, saved thirteen goals during the girls’ first game against Caldwell and seven against West Morris.  

With seven minutes left in the game, West Morris scored their sixth goal. From a bystanders point of view the game may have looked over, but the team knew they could bring it back. In a show-down during the last three minutes, Gabi Mariani, assisted by Eilender, had an explosive shot on goal. Less than a minute later, Hadley Holland scored. 

It was a tough fight to the last moment, and Madison unfortunately couldn’t come all the way back and West Morris got a final goal in the last two seconds of the game and secured the victory.

It may not be the start they wanted for the season, but the weather may be changing for Madison.