The girls lacrosse season ended last month after a last second goal scored by their rivals the Saratoga Blue Streaks during the semi final game.
The loss came as a surprise because at halftime, the girls were up by three, making the game seem like an easy win. Shen senior #24 Ella Vanheusen, who plays attack says, “I think going into the game we had such good energy and a winning mindset, but at the end of the day, you can’t have two winners and Toga fought harder in the last few minutes to win each draw and take it to goal.”
Shen’s energy in the first half enabled them to score more goals than Saratoga. However, as the lacrosse game continued, the ball went back and forth between both teams. The Lady Plainsmen received two yellow cards by Carrie Bennett and Caitlyn Speck as the Blue Streaks coming back stronger.
All twelve Shen seniors took the loss to heart because that was their last time playing. Shen senior #17 Eva Pflomm, who plays midfield says, “For our team, the loss against Saratoga stung; to know that we were so close to winning, but came up short by one goal is heartbreaking.”
There’s always room for improvement, and it’s the team’s effort that helps ensure a win. Ella Vanheusen says, “We came out strong, but something we struggled with was shot selection. Our coach always says ‘fake the goalie, shoot low’ and we continuously shot high.”
Another Shen senior #12 Mia LaMalfa, who is a defender notes, “We could’ve stayed out of card trouble and maintained our momentum when in the lead.”
However, the team remembers say there were some fun moments of the season. Eva Pflomm says, “My favorite moments of the season were the away trip we took to play teams in Connecticut because we really bonded as a team, and also when we beat Burnt Hills in double overtime”. Vanheusen also says, “My favorite memory is all the mosh pit dance parties we had pregame.”