Educational Excellence Since 1912
Hamden Hall Country Day School
Educating students in PreSchool through Grade 12

Girls Lax Blend Experience & Youth to Start 1-1

Bud Kohler
         Benjamin Franklin developed numerous and wonderful inventions, but he did not invent lacrosse. However, it was Franklin who coined the truism, “Out of adversity comes opportunity.” The pandemic has hit athletic programs hard for sure, where the necessity for optional sports presents challenges on numbers and the experience level normally associated with varsity level programs. Nevertheless, the Hornet coaches have worked hard and adapted well in delivering on that maxim. In particular, with local and league rivals shutting down their middle school programs, talented younger players are “playing up” and have already become a mainstay of many of the teams. The Girls Varsity Lax team is certainly a great example of how to keep a winning tradition going with limited numbers while tapping into the potential of a squad of such mixed experience and age.
     
     This year’s squad is fortunate to enjoy a solid core of senior leadership including Sammi Aitro, Alex Blaise, Alexa Mislow, Jess Stanley, and Bella Mecca, who has committed to playing at Endicott College next year. Yet any success this season will also likely be due to the contributions of the many younger players on the team. More than half of the roster is from the freshman class and 8th grade.
     
     On Saturday, April 10th, the team travelled to Stamford to take on King School for their season opener and earned a solid 11-6 victory, with contributions on both ends of the field from many players. Eighth grade standout, Mila Millhouse, led the scoring with 5, freshman Reiley Pascale netted 2 as did Bella Mecca. Molly Schmitz, another 8th grader, Siena Kyriakides and Francesca Dowd, both juniors, added a goal apiece. Millhouse and Mecca also led the draw controls on the circle with 6 and 5 respectively. Defensively the Hornets were led by freshman netminder Tab Gray, who finished with 6 saves.  Alex Blaise, plus freshmen Kaylin Sweeney and Casey Armstrong, and 8th grader Sadie Doyle helped lock down the Vikings’ key players.
     
     On the following Monday, the Hornets drove up Whitney Ave. to take on Cheshire Academy but fell short, losing 16-5. Nevertheless, Tab Gray was resilient in goal, stopping 9 shots, while Millhouse again was a threat and put 4 past the Cats’ keeper. Reiley Pascale added another. 
     
     That the team is off to a positive start should actually not come as much of a surprise, as few coaches can match our effervescent Emily Anderson. After an entire day of working with lower schoolers, one might be ready to hit the couch. Instead, Coach Anderson brings her game to each and every practice, and her field hockey and lax squads thrive on the infectious vitality. 
     
     The Hornets are back in action Saturday, April 24th, as they travel to Greens Farms Academy for a 12 PM draw.

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Hamden Hall Country Day School is a nurturing and inclusive community with a dynamic learning environment that promotes academic excellence by understanding each child and fostering their individual growth.