By Alivia Kilroy
Staff Writer
In the past few years, girls’ lacrosse seems to be a growing sport here in Westford. With about 60 girls wanting to join this year, competition was tight. With teams now chosen, this year’svaristy team seems much different than last year’s team. The team is younger, due to the graduation of many senior players last year. Also the team seems to be more focused on the team dynamics and having fun while playing.
One of the many girls dedicated to the sport who made varsity this year is junior Bailey Mongillo, an offensive player for the Ghosts. Mongillo says she plans on playing at WA for the rest of her high school career and wants to play in college also. She has been playing lacrosse for 9 years now, and had an interesting inspiration to start playing.
“I think I really wanted to play because my brother played,” she said. “I would go to his games and see how much fun he had, which made me want to pick up a stick and start playing.”
During the offseason she keeps in shape by playing basketball for WA and playing on club lacrosse teams all year long.
“I play lacrosse because I love the fast pace, the physical challenges this game presents, and the girls I get to play with,” Mongillo said.
The girls’ coach, Julie Oliver, has been pushing hard on team dynamics this season. Oliver has been stressing communications and working the girls in pairs to create bonds on and off the field. Mongillo is a team player, who wants not only to win but to have fun with her teammates.
“My main goal this year is to be a leader on offense and make everyone on the team feel important,” she said.
Mongillo is accomplishing her goal of being a leader on offense. She understands the game, and plays hard each and every time she is on the field.
“She nets about three goals a game. I know a goal is in the close future whenever she touches the ball,” said Kalie Boyd, the goaltender on the lacrosse team.
She also is accomplishing her goal of making everyone feel important by taking girls aside when they have a bad pass and giving them a pep talk.
“I just make sure she doesn’t dwell on it because it could affect the rest of her play,” Mongillo said.
“I’ve played lacrosse since 3rd grade, and I’ve loved every second of it. It’s just a great game,” she said.
