PEABODY — In what Bishop Fenwick coach Jillian Robinson described as “a big win,” the Crusaders’ girls lacrosse team defeated Marblehead 11-7 at Donaldson Field Saturday.
Breanna Genzale (game-high 6 goals) scored two goals in each of the first three quarters to help Fenwick build a 9-6 lead going into the final 12 minutes. Ada Zaccaria and Sophie Koles scored two goals apiece and Kellie Holleran added another.
Zoe Dwyer led the Magicians’ attack with a hat trick. Maggie Svencer and Sammy Walker scored two goals apiece.
“We’ve been struggling to finish games. I’m happy for them because they played their best for all four quarters,” Robinson said. “They came in focused today because we know Marblehead is such a strong program. Our trend has been to lose close games in the fourth quarter. That was our best fourth quarter of the season and I’m so happy that they all showed up ready to play a full game today.”
Despite the fact that Marblehead had taken it to Fenwick in early April, 14-8, Marblehead coach Annie Madden said she didn’t take the Crusaders lightly.
“It was a little keep away game at the end, but we knew coming in to this that [Fenwick] is a strong team and we knew they were coming out to win today,” Madden said. “They put the ball in the back of the net a few more times than we did. We also turned the ball over that cost us a few possessions. But we put high pressure on their attack when they started to slow it down and turn the ball over. We had our opportunities, but just didn’t finish.”
Fenwick led 3-2 after the first quarter, thanks to a pair of goals by Genzale sandwiched around a goal by Zaccaria. Svencer countered with two goals for the Magicians.
The Red and Black came out hot during the second quarter, taking a 4-3 lead after goals from Walker and Dwyer. But Fenwick rattled off three straight — two from Genzale and one from Koles — to take a 6-4 halftime advantage.
Dwyer cut the deficit to 6-5 at the 10:45 mark of the third quarter. Genzale answered right back at the 10:08 mark to make it a 7-5 game.
The next five minutes were back-and-forth with both teams generating scoring opportunities, but unable to convert. Genzale and Koles closed out the final two minutes of the quarter with goals to give the Crusaders their largest lead, 9-6.
With 7:21 to go in the fourth quarter, Zaccaria struck again to make it 10-6. Dwyer cut the lead to 10-7 with a pretty goal about five minutes later, then Fenwick smartly played a game of keep away to eliminate any comeback hopes for Marblehead.
“We wanted to have the ball for the rest of the game, so they (Magicians) couldn’t catch up to us,” Robinson said. “To do that, we had to not broadcast our passes and had to make sure to maintain space off the ball and directions — and it was awesome.”
Despite the loss, Madden said there were positive takeaways.
“We are seeing some real great strength in the second half of the season,” she said. “I’m really so proud of how far we’ve come. Obviously, we didn’t come out on top today, but I can’t be upset at the fact that we are working so hard and adapting.”
The Crusaders (4-8) rank No. 23 in the MIAA’s latest Div. 3 power rankings. They host Masconomet Monday at 4 p.m.
“They’re fast, strong, and talented, so it will be a challenge,” Robinson said. “I’m encouraged by what I saw today. I believe it’s not how you start the season, but how you finish it.
Marblehead’s next game is Monday in Peabody (4 p.m.), followed by Wednesday’s road game against Masconomet (6 p.m.). The Magicians (6-8) rank 29th in Div. 2.
“Those are two outstanding NEC (Northeastern Conference) teams, so I expect they will both be outstanding games,” Madden said. “We’re still above No. 32 right now, which is good, so we can still make it, but we have a tough schedule ahead of us.”
