By April Cyr — Lacrosse Contributor
The Concord-Carlisle High School girls and boys lacrosse teams both claimed victories on the field last Saturday — but the day was a win in even more ways.
CCHS Girls Senior Captains Anna Crowley and Willow Cyr, along with CCHS Boys Senior Captains Derek Labadini, Harry Lefebvre, Kal Lonergan, and Jed Cain worked together on a day of action that included a lacrosse gear drive, a food truck, and an opportunity for Harlem Lacrosse and CC players to connect and play.
“We all had an amazing day with the community that is CC and Harlem Lacrosse,” Cyr said.
“The energy was high, and we are always looking to spread the amazing sport of lacrosse!”
Harlem Lacrosse is a year-round youth development organization that uses participation in the sport of lacrosse as the foundation for its services, which fall under three pillars of engagement: Academic Support, Athletic Development, and Social-Emotional Enrichment.
Rep. Simon Cataldo (D-Concord), himself a CCHS alum, created Harlem Lacrosse in 2008 while working as a special education instructor for Teach for America in New York City.
Harlem Lacrosse partners with Boston Public Schools in Mattapan, Dorchester, and East Boston and has 320 girls and boys participating from fifth grade through high school.
Currently, Boston has 30 students enrolled in boarding and independent schools on full financial aid packages and more than 30 students enrolled in four-year colleges.
On the field
At 1:15 p.m., the CCHS girls went up against Brookline. In a defining 15-4 win, goal scorers included Karleigh Mutch (4), Lydia Karle (4), Willow Cyr (3), Hannah Feloney (1), Teagan Morrissey (1), Charlotte Skelly (1) and Scarlett Mirak (1).
A great defense combination of Anna Crowley, Alissa Bono, Avery Swenson, Isabella Couto, and Suhani Khandelwal thwarted the rivals, and Grace Grogins had another powerful defensive game between the pipes.
Earlier, the CCHS boys defeated Newburyport 6-5 in thrilling overtime play.
More than 40 Boston middle schoolers from Lee School, Mildred School and Tech Boston Academy came to CCHS Memorial Field to cheer on CC and enjoy camaraderie and fun.
Said Harlem Lacrosse Boston Executive Director Pat Cronin as he left with a truckload of sticks, cleats, goggles, and a bounceback, “Our kids said today was a ‘10!’”
