Conard hosted crosstown rival Hall on Friday in girls lacrosse.

By Paul Palmer

Conard’s girls lacrosse team snapped a three-game losing streak with a 14-2 win over Hall in the crosstown rivalry game. The goals came early and often for the Red Wolves as they built a 10-0 lead by hal time.

Hall goalie Talia Lesham started the game with a pair of big saves as Conard attacked. Olivia Hole got the Red Wolves on the board first following a turnover near midfield just 1:49 in. Talia Sortman of Hall nearly answered, but Conard goalie Maya Nanayakkara – who played a solid game – made the save on the shot.

Olivia Hole scored the next goal for Conard with a shot off a dodge to the left of a defender to create space and 24 seconds later it was Dani DiGiacomo scoring for the first of her back-to-back goals for Conard on the pass from Maddy Sweeney. Nicole Gorman then scored two in a row for Conard as they built a 6-0 lead. Her first came from about 15 yards out and the second came on an assist from Ruby Czajkowski.

“It is all about the team doing the work off the ball,” said Conard head coach Meg Cersosimo. “They work twice as hard to help their teammates.”

While Conard filled the net at one end, its defense shut down Hall at the other. Nanayakkara was sharp in goal when the ball found its way to her. The defense in front of her rotated beautifully to shut down Hall’s attack.

“It is a culmination of playing tough teams all year and learning each game,” Cersosimo said. “They have bought into the team defense mentality.” Cersosimo praised her goalie’s work in the game. “Maya was calm and steady today and did everything we ask of her.”

Conard’s 10th and final score of the half was one of the more creative attempts on goal. Czajkowski attacked the goal from the free position, only to be cut off by a pair of Hall defenders. She then spun with her back to the net, dropped the stick angle, and scooped it past the goalie.

With the clock on running time in the second half the goals were fewer. DiGiacomo scored the 11th for Conard just over a minute and a half into the second half. Many of the Red Wolves goals were the result of their team speed as they raced the ball from defense to offense and then patiently worked it around until they got the shot. Gorman picked up the next goal on a give-and-go with Czajkowski and then it was Hole scoring on a Sweeney assist.

As the lead grew and the clock wound down, Cersosimo subbed out her seniors and starters, allowing them to receive applause for all their work and emptying her bench.

With 5:43 to play Hall got on the board on a goal from Lucy Gwiz. She had been all around the Conard cage all game giving the Titans some of their best opportunities to score.

The goal came when Caitlin Regan found herself at the side of the goal with the ball. She saw Gwiz crashing and slipped her the ball for the shot. After Conard added a 14th goal, Hall finished off the game’s scoring with 45 seconds to play with Hayden Smith scoring on the assist from Gwiz.

“The reality is we are really young,” said Hall coach Kristen Mullady. “They play to the end of every game and have gotten a lot better through hard work.” The Titans finish up the season with a record of 3-13. Conard finishes the regular season with a 10-6 mark and will next play in the CCC Tournament before competing in the Class L post-season tournament.

“I am surrounded by amazing assistants,” Cersosimo said after the game. “I look at it like I have four head coaches.”

Like what you see here? Click here to subscribe to We-Ha’s newsletter so you’ll always be in the know about what’s happening in West Hartford! Click the blue button below to become a supporter of We-Ha.com and our efforts to continue producing quality journalism.