Plymouth North's Pyy has a nose for the net
By now, it's pretty well established that the Patriot League has become a collegiate pipeline for boys and girls lacrosse talent.
If you were to take a ride down Route 3 to Plymouth North High School, you would find the latest phenom to emerge from the conference's historic ranks. That would be senior Annika Pyy, who has taken the state by storm in recent weeks with her electrifying ability to score.
"I think Annika is definitely number one," said Plymouth North girls lacrosse coach Becca Brady. "I've been coaching there since 2014, as an assistant coach before I became the head coach. She's just on another level from anyone else I have ever coached before."
Pyy has registered 279 career goals. The Assumption commit has taken things to a completely new level this spring, netting 117 goals and 18 assists. She has also collected 167 draw controls. Her crowning stretch came last week when she netted 10 or more goals in consecutive games against Falmouth, Whitman-Hanson and Marshfield.
Yet, the senior didn't truly know the sheer magnitude of her accomplishments as the games wore on. She simply was focused on making the next critical play for the Blue Eagles as they continued their ferocious pursuit of a statewide playoff berth.
"I didn't even realize," Pyy said. "It just was crazy. It didn't feel like I scored that many. It was more of like a team thing. Our defense would make an amazing play, then we'd have amazing transition. We wouldn't drop the ball through the midfield. Then, we'd get down to one extra pass, and I would score. The goals weren't just by me, they were by my team, too."
This year, Annika's younger sister Addie was given an increased role on the team, with the siblings trading off opportunities for draws. Could their chemistry explain this sudden resurgence for the senior? It's certainly a possibility.
"My favorite part is when she's taking the draw," Annika said. "I'm on the circle, and she'll give me a look. I just know it's coming to me. That's my favorite part. We know how to read each other's (tendencies)."
Plymouth North (11-7) is seeded 14th overall in the MIAA's latest Div. 2 power rankings. With the playoffs on the horizon, Pyy is hopeful she and her teammates can embark on one final journey together.
"We're very motivated," said Pyy. "We love each other, and we just want to play for each other. That's what I think is the biggest thing. Our team is so close
… we just want to keep playing together as a team, because we feel like family. There's so many siblings on our team."
Gaspar's legacy
As Ben Harvey stood before his teammates this past Wednesday evening, you could hear a pin drop inside the Franklin locker room. The Panthers were set to take on one of the state's premier teams with Lincoln-Sudbury in town, but this was no ordinary game.
Like everyone else, the senior grappled with countless emotions, having just arrived at the field following a wake, but he was driven to honor the life and memory of his friend, and his teammate — Nick Gaspar.
Gaspar was a straight-A student, and a member of Franklin High's lacrosse and basketball programs. The sophomore passed away peacefully in the presence of his loving family following nearly a twoyear long battle with brain cancer May 19, but the impact
he left on the Panthers' community as a whole will never be forgotten.
"This is only the start of our fight," Harvey told the team. "This is just the start of our journey. While it is another step in Nick's journey, he will live on through us when we win this game, and the next, and the next, all the way up to the state championship. When we win the championship, he'll hoist the trophy with us."
Franklin then proceeded to turn in one of their greatest victories of the season. That night, Luke Davis, Tyler Sacchetti and Jayden Consigli combined to score 10 goals, as the Panthers knocked off the Warriors in convincing fashion, 16-10.
The following morning, however, it was time to turn the page. As parishioners arrived in droves for Gaspar's funeral at St. Mary's Church, adjustments had to be made to accompany the ever growing crowd. When Nick's mother, Jennifer, walked to the altar to say a few words about her son, those in attendance became emotional.
"The church was overfilled," said Franklin lacrosse coach Lou Verrochi. "They had to fill the bottom section as well for people, and it was unbelievable. It was very, very emotional, and a humbling experience. His mother gave the eulogy, and I can't believe she found the strength to be able to do it. But it just goes to show you where Nick's strength came from."
During Gaspar's cancer battle, Franklin's lacrosse and basketball teams began hosting fundraisers to raise awareness, and developed a rallying cry: ‘#NickStrong18', which was soon displayed on banners, stickers and more throughout the town. It even started being used by some of the school's Hockomock League rivals. During a game with Oliver Ames, the Tigers stood opposite the Panthers, each wearing T-shirts with the message.
"He was a huge part of the whole Franklin High School community," said Franklin girls lacrosse coach Kristin Igoe Guarino. "Sports, and school. I
know some of the girls on our team were close with him, but he was also really just an inspiration … we kind of talked before games how we're grateful to be on the field, and for our health, our family. He showed us how to be strong, and play with a little extra motivation."
As Nick's casket was being brought out Thursday, each Panther picked up their lacrosse stick, and stood on opposite sides of the church aisle. They proceeded to raise them high in an arching fashion, a touching moment to conclude the processions, and a fitting way to remember a loving individual who meant so much to so many.
"(I'll remember) his fortitude and his strength," Verrochi said. "The thing that's amazing is that you never heard, or saw any complaints. He never had a ‘woe is me' or ‘why me' type of situation. He was always upbeat, he was always friendly. He'd come over and shake your hand, give you a hug. He was just such a great kid."