The girls lacrosse team has had a successful season so far this year with a record of 8-5-1. They only need one more win or a tie to qualify for tournament. Senior Captain Hope Kelley said, “The team is very united off the field, and it shows on the field as well. We’re improving as the season progresses and I’m proud of where we are this point. It’s been a great season so far.”
Kelley has had her third great season as a varsity player for the Rebels and is the only senior attack. Kelley is going to UMass Amherst and is considering playing for the club team there.
Though the Rebels have lost against elite teams such as Notre Dame Academy of Hingham, Medfield, and Needham, head Coach Mike Tosone said, “We are still not at the level of these types of teams. We are a good or very good team but not ‘elite’ yet so there was no disappointment in the losses because the girls played as hard as they could. The only real upset we’ve had is against Newton North.” However, on Friday May 4, with the home field advantage, Walpole beat Newton North 16-13 by playing much better than they did the first time. Many girls had an outstanding game, including junior Seana Cofsky, who scored several goals, and goalie, Senior Captain Erin Nelligan who had several great saves that kept Walpole on top. Nelligan is attending Thomas College, a Division III school in Maine, next fall and is going to play lacrosse there. “I am really excited to play in college because I love the sport so much. However, I am nervous to play at that level.”
The defense for the girls has been very good throughout the year especially against Wellesley. Though it was a loss for the Rebels, it was a close and competitive game. Wellesley moved the ball around in their offensive end well creating fewer opportunities for the Walpole attack. However, the strong defense was able to keep the Raiders away only allowing them to win by one goal in a 6-7 game, the lowest scoring game overall. Senior Captains Courtney Bradley and Adrianna Frattasio both had very good games preventing Wellesley from scoring.
Frattasio is one of the top defenders on the team. After starting lacrosse her junior year, she was recruited by Southern New Hampshire University, which is a Division II school, in August and verbally committed there in September. “I loved the coach and the campus so that’s why I chose it.” Frattasio has also enjoyed success in other sports. She has played soccer and softball, although she stopped playing soccer after sophomore year and softball after freshman year. However, her favorite sport will always be basketball. Frattasio played varsity basketball her sophomore, junior, and senior year, but she said, “I’m so happy I decided to play lacrosse. I love everyone on the team and the sport itself. I’m so excited to play next year, but naturally I’m also pretty nervous. I knew I wanted to play a sport in college, and I’m glad I’ll be playing something I really love.”
Bradley, though being a strong defender, will not be playing lacrosse at Worcester State, where she is attending next fall, but she is also optimistic about the rest of the season. She said, “I think the seasons going well especially with the schedule because there are so many teams we are playing that are not in our league. I think we will keep getting better from here on out.”
Even with some hard fought losses the Rebels have also had some crushing wins against Dedham, Brookline, and Milton. With only five more games left in the regular season the girls have some tough competition ahead of them including Framingham and Franklin but are looking forward to meeting the challenge and head into the postseason.
