Girls overcome weather, stage charity lacrosse match
To say there were some challenges in the lead-up to the second edition of the A Shot for Life girl’s lacrosse game would be a massive understatement.
Still, the determined staff had no intention of any logistical issues get in the way of another successful showcase.
The event was projected to be played in the Union Point Sports Complex in Weymouth, but a recent storm rendered the facility unfit. A move to the outside turf was the fix, but a snowy weather forecast put that plan in jeopardy as well. That is when the organizers sprung to action.
“A lot of our players have their college futures tied to lacrosse, so we couldn’t risk them getting hurt,”
ASFL CEO, President and Founder Mike Slonina said. “Myself, my wife and seven staff members was out shoveling till about midnight, and we returned at 11 today. It was a massive undertaking, but the safety of our players is paramount.”
The effort was worth it as the event went off without any additional issues. The players involved come from high schools in the MIAA or the NEPSAC, providing a rare opportunity for the levels to intermingle. Many of the players are committed to NCAA Division I programs, and all had to raise $1,000 towards Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center in order to participate.
“It’s such a great organization and event,” Noble and Greenough junior and Harvard commit Tori Balser said.” It was so much fun, and I really enjoyed the whole process to be here.”
The game itself saw Team Hope come away with a 17— 14 victory. It was a backand-forth affair that saw five goals from Groton junior Giulia Colarusso and a hat trick from Noble senior Fiona O’Keefe. Collarusso, A BC commit, took home the most valuable player honors as well as the hardest shot trophy after she hit a blistering 83 miles per hour.
“We were having a lot of fun, and everyone was bringing good energy,” Colarusso said. “I always play better when I am enjoying myself and it was really good to be out here before our seasons start.”
Other highlights included two goaltender goals, gritty defensive efforts and the chance to face off against some of the best players in the state. Colarusso said that events like this show how much the sport is growing locally.
“Massachusetts is definitely an underdog state,” Colarusso said. “Time and time again, it has proven itself as one of the best lacrosse states in the country and it’s only getting better.”