Sports Roundup: Girls & Boys Lax Win Season Openers, Baseball Wins Home Opener
David Creed •
This Whaler sports roundup includes an update on the girls lacrosse team following a one-goal victory over a Cape & Island rival, the baseball team following a mercy-rule victory over a Cape & Island squad, and a convincing opening game victory for the boys lacrosse team.
Brown Earns First Career Win As Girls Lacrosse Head Coach
After falling into an early 3-0 hole against the Nauset Warriors on the road Monday afternoon, the Whaler girls lacrosse team showed off their mental toughness, speed, athleticism, and skill to earn a 10-9 victory over their Cape & Island rival, which also goes down as Kelly Brown’s first as head coach of the program.
"I think that was either (Nauset's) third or fourth game," Brown said. "So yeah, a little nerve-wracking knowing that they've been on the field and kind of put some pieces together, but you got to start somewhere. I think that we played great. Maybe we were a little hesitant at the very start, maybe some first game jitters, but we reset and then played our game. That's all I can ask as a coach."
Nantucket was led by senior Dylan Damian on offense, who finished with three goals. Grace Hanlon and Grace Schroeder each had two goals, with Schroeder also recording two assists. Louisa Beni, Quinn Canty, and Rowan Paul each scored once.
The Whaler’s victory was also the first of head coach Kelly Brown’s career as she officially begins her first season leading the team. Brown, a former Division 1 defender for UMass, takes pride in strong defensive play and her team gave it to her while being led by senior captain Myah Johnson, who was all over the field showing off her speed and lacrosse IQ as she regularly advanced the ball upfield for Whaler rushes after defensive stops.
"I thought the defense was very good," Brown said. "I love aggressive defense, and I think that when they stepped up and really pressured the ball, that's when we were getting so many caused turnovers. I definitely want more of that moving forward, and I know they can do it because they do it at practice against each other. I just want to keep building on aggressive defense."
Ella Douglas enters her second season as the Whaler’s goalie and shrugged off the three early goals to help Nantucket limit Nauset’s offensive production – recording 11 saves, some of which were sensational, point-blank stops.
"Ella had a standout game," Brown said. "Finished with 11 saves. She was just really good. You need a good goalie. Defense wins championships.”
Nantucket’s team speed was on full display all game long, and their ability to win the 50/50 battles for balls and to scoop up ground balls with ease is what Brown said after the game impressed her the most.
Nantucket will now attempt to improve their record to 2-0 on Wednesday, April 1st in their home opener against the Monomoy Sharks at 4:15 p.m. You can view more photos from this game here.
Baseball Shuts Out Bourne In Home Opener
The Whaler baseball team improved to 2-1 this season following an 11-0 victory over the Bourne Canalmen on Tuesday. The game ended in five innings due to the mercy rule thanks to some excellent defense and aggressive baserunning by the Whalers.
Nantucket scored five runs in the second inning and five runs in the fourth to pull away from the Canalmen. Eli MacIver went 3 for 3 with an RBI, Henry Tejada, a right-handed batter, hit a two-run home run to right field, and Colby Lucas and Justin Torres each went 2 for 3 with two RBIs to lead the Whaler offense.
Senior Ronald Del Rosario Gomez was sharp on the mound. He pitched all five innings and allowed just three hits while striking out four batters.
Torres continues to cause havoc on the base paths and recorded his second triple of the season.
Nantucket will be back in action attempting to improve to 3-1 on the year when they host Cape Cod Regional Technical High School on Wednesday, April 1st at 4 p.m.
Below are some photos taken by Chris Tran during Tuesday’s game.
Boys Lacrosse Beats Monomoy 17-0
The boys lacrosse team opened their regular season with a 17-0 victory over the Monomoy Sharks at home Tuesday afternoon. Nantucket’s defense was sensational, with neither Jeremy Jenkinson or Nick Wisentaner having to make a save in the game.
"They didn't have much for us. Their coach said they were mostly eighth and ninth graders, couple of sophomores,” Whaler head coach Sam Aloisi said. “They were missing a couple of kids. They were just young. Our guys did a decent job of, they weren't really challenged much. I don't think our goalies faced a shot, but our guys did a pretty good job not playing down, which is really all we asked them to do. Some good things on offense and not so good things. But for the first game, it was good.”
Senior attacker Nolen Mosscrop led the team with five goals while Marco La Chuisa scored four goals. It was an encouraging sight to see Mosscrop, who missed large chunks of last season and was limited when available due to injury, out on the field creating offensive chances over and over. Mosscrop will be one of Nantucket’s key offensive weapons all season alongside senior midfielder Arann Hanlon.
"Nolen's worked really hard to get back," Aloisi said. "We're looking for big things out of him. I mean, it's obvious what he can do. Hopefully he can stay healthy."
Nantucket will try to improve to 2-0 on Thursday, April 2nd on the road against the Barnstable Red Hawks at 3 p.m.
Below are some photos from Tuesday’s game by Chris Tran.
SCHEDULE AHEAD:
Wednesday, April 1st:
The baseball team will be at home playing Cape Cod Regional Technical High School at 4 p.m.
The girls lacrosse team will be at home for their home opener against the Monomoy Sharks at 4:15 p.m.
The girls tennis team will be on the road for their season opener playing the St. John Paul II Lions at 4 p.m.
Thursday, April 2nd:
- The boys lacrosse team will be on the road playing the Barnstable Red Hawks at 3 p.m.
- The sailing team will be on the road for a regatta against Martha's Vineyard at 3:30 p.m.