Westwood aims to adapt
When you take the helm of a legendary program, you have to find the proper balance. New Westwood girls lacrosse coach Margot Spatola spent the preseason trying to find that sweet spot after taking over for the Wolverines longtime leader, Leslie Frank.
“We have to remind ourselves that we have to honor the time and commitment of the teams’ past, but we have to be our own team,” said Spatola. “We’re honoring the past while being ourselves.”
The lacrosse community, both within town and throughout Massachusetts, has championship expectations for Westwood every year. Frank’s eight championship seasons in an 18year career, including last year’s title, set those lofty goals.
Westwood still has those expectations, but Frank’s absence isn’t the only change. It’s a smaller squad and overall program than in the past, and Spatola, a former Wolverines assistant, spent part of the offseason wondering how her upperclassmen will react to her new role.
“I’ve known a lot of these girls for a few years,” said Spatola. “I wasn’t sure if the relationships would change, if they wouldn’t want to come to me with some things.”
Spatola’s aim is to create a back and forth as they forge new territory together.
“I want to hear what they have to say,” she said, “because this is my first year coaching too.”
Coming off a 74-goal junior campaign, Haley Connaughton will lead the Wolverines as a tri-captain.
“She was on the team as a freshman and learned a lot from those seniors,” said Spatola. “I hope she can do the same for these freshman.”
While Westwood has a new look, the team they defeated in last year’s title bout will have the luxury of returning 15 players. Led by midfielder Olivia Pino and defenseman Abbie Cronin, North Andover will be the team to beat in Division 1 North. Billerica and
Masconomet both have deep rosters and the tenacity to make a deep sectional run as well.
Franklin will look to repeat in Division 1 East thanks to several freshmen to watch, including Erin Walsh, who notched four goals on Needham in the teams’ opening tilt last week. The Division 1 South runner-up Rockets and the section’s other longtime power, Notre Dame
Hingham, both lost a lot of scoring power to graduation, but should continue to be near the top. Junior midfielder Caitlin Chicoski should keep Wellesley in the conversation late into the season.
In Division 2, Marblehead will turn to Irish national team member Lucie Poulin to push them again to the North sectional title.
“She has been in this position before,” said Ma- gicians head coach Annie Madden of the senior. “She has great stick skills. As a defender, she is very quick and she has the ability to move the ball upfield.”
Poulin contributes in all areas of the game, with her work on the draw and with ground balls equally as impressive as her offensive work. Her prowess, complete with the team’s depth, makes them a contender to unseat some of the division’s traditional powerhouses. Junior midfielder Caroline Driscoll “knows what to do when the ball is on her stick,” according to Madden, and will also be key to the Magicians’ chances this spring.
“This year our girls have set their expectations high,” said Madden. “After last year’s experience, they know what it takes to win.”
Norwell has won the last two state titles, and the experience of Herald All-Scholastic defender Grace Connerty and goalie Chase Henriquez will keep the Clippers a high level again this year. They also add two sisters, Murphy and Maddie McDonough, who have already committed to Division 1 programs. After falling to Norwell by a mere goal in the state title game, Walpole has high expectations for junior attacks Celia Walsh and Emily Curtis. Elle Hansen will keep Cohasset in the mix again this season.