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04/24/2016 12:00 AMEven though Valley girls’ lacrosse lost all three of its contests last week by dropping decisions to Haddam-Killingworth, Old Saybrook, and Immaculate, the young Warriors continue making strides toward getting better with every game and that’s exactly what first-year Head Coach Cory Needleman is looking for.
“It all comes down to the little things. We need to remember the things we learn in practice and apply that to the games,” Coach Needleman said. “We are coming together as a team and the girls want to do it for themselves, the school, the community. They are trying their hardest and that is all I can ask for and I think we are headed in the right direction.”
Valley opened the week by dropping a 22-6 home contest to Haddam-Killingworth on April 18. Then on April 21, Valley traveled to Old Saybrook to take on the Rams and lost 14-4, but still showed signs of improvement. The game began as a defensive battle and the Warriors held their own against a powerful Old Saybrook squad. Junior captain Brianna O’Brien scored two goals in the first half and Valley also received one each from freshman Allie Ruel and senior captain Julia Hammond. Junior goalie Rhyan Nedobity and the defense did a great job of keeping the Warriors in the match at it was tied 4-4 heading to halftime. Old Saybrook (6-2) cracked Valley’s defensive schemes in the second half and came away with the 14-4 victory, although Coach Needleman feels her team’s performance in the opening stanza is something the Warriors can build on.
“Our first half was amazing. We were tied going into the second half and slowly we fell apart,” Needleman said. “Allie Ruel was our top midfielder who played hard throughout the whole game. She really took control on the game and gave it her all. Our top defender was Jaime Jaillet who ran out on the defensive end and took control of their attack. She shut down the fast breaks and never let anyone in. In goal, Rhyan really is the glue that’s been holding us together. Every game, she comes out playing her best and giving it her all. She is by far one of the hardest workers on my team. Old Saybrook’s goalie was outstanding and we need to work more on faking then shooting. I think next time we play them we should be able to keep the game close till the end.”
In its final game of the week on April 23, Valley showed even more improvement when it hosted non-conference foe Immaculate (5-2). The Warriors gave the Mustangs everything they could handle, but came up just short in taking a 10-9 defeat. Building on the solid first half against Old Saybrook, Valley came out aggressive against the Mustangs and took a 6-3 lead into halftime. In the second half, Immaculate scored two quick goals to get back into the contest. From there, the teams went back and forth, but ultimately, things didn’t go the Warriors’ way as they were down a player after a red card was given out by the officials. Immaculate took advantage of the extra player and tied the game at 9-all, then scored the winning goal with 1:30 left to play. With one less athlete on the field, Valley was unable to make a charge at the Mustangs, who took possession of the ball late and drained the clock to end the game. Sophomore Hilary Garhan and O’Brien each had two goals for Valley, while Kathryn Burr, Izzy Hosley, Alexi Williams, and Allie Evarts all had one apiece.
“The girls played well and I thought we were the better team today,” Coach Needleman said. “It was frustrating to have some calls go against us, especially the ones in the second half. I hate to complain about that stuff, but it was just frustrating for us as coaches and for the girls who are working so hard. The girls played their hearts out. I think in the end, we rushed some plays that caused turnovers and we let them control the game instead of us taking over, but the girls gave it their all.”