In an evenly paired match, the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School (MVRHS) girls’ varsity lacrosse team fell to the Bishop Stang Spartans 10-9 on a sunny but chilly Monday afternoon on home turf in Eastern Athletic Conference (EAC) competition. The Spartans entered Monday’s contest 1-1, and the Vineyard entered the day 1-0, following a 12-7 varsity victory over Falmouth High School April 6.
This season marks the team’s 20th year under Coach Betsy Dripps, who began the women’s lacrosse program. On the field, the team is led by three-season captain Emily DeBettencourt, who was also captain of soccer and basketball, and Olivia Ogden and Aubrey Ashmun, both of whom were also field hockey captains.
Down to the wire
The game started with each team taking a drive down the field, but neither was able to score until almost seven minutes into the first half, with a goal by Spartan Ann Martin. Two minutes later Bishop Stang’s Emily Audycki bounced a ball into the Vineyard net, bringing the Spartan lead to 2-0.
Emily DeBettencourt had a strong day, frequently picking off balls midair and simultaneously launching into a quick spin as she cradled away from her opposition. Lee Hayman also executed seamless roll-dodges and had quick stick work.
Emily intercepted a ball at 11:41 and took it in for the Vineyard’s first goal, but the Spartans quickly turned things around and got a goal of their own 40 seconds later, making the score 3-1 Bishop Stang. Spartan Ann Martin scored that third goal, as well as the following goal with 6:27 remaining in the half, elevating the Spartan lead to 4-1, where the score stood at the halftime buzzer.
“The goalie is very good,” Ms. Dripps told her girls at the half. “You’ve got to place your shots, and have to move the ball quickly. Don’t telegraph where you are going to pass.” Ms. Dripps also thought her defense was doing “an awesome job.”
Just over three minutes into the second half Vineyarder Amanda Bernard scored, with assists from Olivia Ogden and Aubrey Ashmun, making the score 4-2 Spartans.
At 20:59 Erin Hill missed a clean shot on goal, but then quickly redeemed herself and scored a beautiful circle-from-behind-the-net flick shot, helping the Vineyard to cut the Spartans’ lead to 4-3.
“We’re on a roll,” Ms. Dripps told her team at the subsequent Bishop Stang time-out.
The Spartans then rapidly fired two additional goals into the Vineyard net, bringing their gain to 6-3.
Not to be outdone, Lee Hayman worked some magic and scored twice for the Vineyarders; once at 16:13, followed a minute later by a second goal to bring the Vineyarders within reach.
“Come on Vineyard, let’s tie it up right here,” Ms. Dripps shouted out to her girls about the 6-5 Spartan lead. And they were listening. With 15 minutes left in the second half, Erin Hill tied up the score 6-6.
Vineyarder pressure was now fierce, and Emily DeBettencourt banked the shot that put the Vineyard ahead 7-6.
The lead was short-lived, with the Spartans pulling ahead again just over a minute later to tie it up 7-7, followed by another Spartan goal 30 seconds later, bringing the score to 8-7 Spartans.
“You’re right there,” Ms. Dripps told the girls at the time-out, but the Spartans got two quick shots into the Vineyard net, making the score 10-7 Spartans.
The Vineyard stayed tough, and Aubrey Ashmun scored a goal with 33 seconds left in the game, followed by a goal at the buzzer by Lee Hayman. Final score was 10-9 Bishop Stang.
Learning curve
“Learn from today,” Ms. Dripps told the team after the game. “Be patient; we’re getting there. We were very close today.”
Ms. Dripps started the women’s lacrosse program when she arrived on the Island two decades ago. The boys’ team began the following year: “I started with 30 kids as an intramural program a couple of days a week, and I got two restaurants to donate a goal.”
Ms. Dripps, who coached in Philadelphia for 12 years before she came to the Vineyard, told The Times she is likely in her last year coaching, and that next year the current assistant coach and former player Kurstin Moore will take over the team.
“A one-goal difference for a league game is huge,” Ms. Dripps told The Times. “In lacrosse, a little bit of ability is a 10-goal difference, so to be in a game this close shows the teams were very even.”
Good exchange
On Friday, the Vineyard girls played St. Helen’s/St. Katherine’s School from Oxford, England, in the rain. “The English girls gave the Vineyard a great lesson on how to play top-level lacrosse,” Ms. Dripps said in an email to The Times. “They were fast, aggressive, and all had excellent stickwork. Despite losing all three games (varsity 17-2, JV 15-2 and youth 12-2), the Vineyard players had a wonderful two days hosting the English players. It provided a wonderful cultural exchange for both schools, and we all made some new friends who play great lacrosse on the other side of the ocean.
“St. Helen’s/St. Katherine’s School is ranked one of the top eight high school teams in the U.K. this year, and they have been playing together since September. As we all found out — they were really good.”
Girls’ varsity lacrosse plays three games in a row starting Saturday, April 11, away at Nantucket, followed by two home games Sunday, April 12, at 11:30 am versus Triton High School, and Monday, April 13, at 3 pm versus Fairhaven High School. None of the three are league contests.