Conard hosted crosstown rival Hall on Friday in girls lacrosse.
Talia Sortman of Hall and Ruby Czajkowski of Conard square off on the draw. Conard vs. Hall girls lacrosse. May 19, 2023. Photo credit: Paul Palmer
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.
Nicole Gorman of Conard fires the shot on goal against Hall. Conard vs. Hall girls lacrosse. May 19, 2023. Photo credit: Paul Palmer
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.”
Conard goalie Maya Nanayakkaria was strong in goal for Conard in a 14-2 win over Hall. Conard vs. Hall girls lacrosse. May 19, 2023. Photo credit: Paul Palmer
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.
Conard’s Oliva Hole and Hall’s Ashley Carlson match up in Friday’s game. Conard vs. Hall girls lacrosse. May 19, 2023. Photo credit: Paul Palmer
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.
Ruby Czjajkowki watches her shot go past Hall goalie Talia Lesham in Conard victory. Conard vs. Hall girls lacrosse. May 19, 2023. Photo credit: Paul Palmer
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.
Conard’s Dani DiGiacomo is pursued by Hall’s Ashley Carlson. Conard vs. Hall girls lacrosse. May 19, 2023. Photo credit: Paul Palmer
“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.”
Conard’s Dani DiGiacomo is pursued by Hall’s Caitlyn Regan. Conard vs. Hall girls lacrosse. May 19, 2023. Photo credit: Paul Palmer
Hall’s Ashley Carlson avoids a Conard defensive player as she moves the ball ahead. Conard vs. Hall girls lacrosse. May 19, 2023. Photo credit: Paul Palmer
Mattie Spillane of Hall is closely guarded by Conard’s Ruby Czajkowski in Friday’s lacrosse showdown. Conard vs. Hall girls lacrosse. May 19, 2023. Photo credit: Paul Palmer
Hall goalie Talia Lesham and Conard’s Olivia Hole battle for control of a loose ball. Conard vs. Hall girls lacrosse. May 19, 2023. Photo credit: Paul Palmer
Lucy Gwiz of Hall is surrounded by a pack of Red Wolves defenders. Conard vs. Hall girls lacrosse. May 19, 2023. Photo credit: Paul Palmer
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