Varsity Girls Lacrosse Off To Strong Start

It’s been built the old-fashioned way: hard work.

“This season, as a team, we have placed a heavy emphasis on working just as hard out of practice as we do in practice,” midfielder Maya Yoon ’26 said. “We have implemented an intense wall ball challenge that pushes everyone to work on and improve their stick skills. We are also collectively driven by shared goals to succeed and work for each other.”

The results have been impressive.

Masters improved to 6-0 this spring following Monday’s dominating 12-1 win over visiting Chapin. Flynn Dixon ’29 paced the Panthers with three goals, two assists and three draw controls, while Frankie Navin ’28 and Zara Murray ’27 added two goals apiece. Yoon, Loewy Nalle ’27, Bella Henriquez ’26, Penelope Schab ’27 and Lucille Quackenbush ’26 each scored once. Goalie Bea Hopper ’27 anchored the defense with three saves.  

“Our overall objective is to improve every day and to never overlook the importance of focusing on the basics, regardless of who’s on the other end of the sideline,” head coach Alexis Di Domenico said. “I think this particular team has taken a lot of ownership over going out and achieving their own success — rather than waiting for it just to happen to them. They are putting in the work outside of practice and holding one another accountable, which is transferring to the field.”

Without question, the Panthers’ biggest win of the season came against visiting Sacred Heart Greenwich B on April 15. Masters stunned the Connecticut powerhouse, 11-10, in an overtime thriller. Offensively, Navin was the difference-maker for the Panthers, burying a game-high six goals, including the game-winner off a free position.

“When we huddled together right before overtime, you could visibly see how badly everyone wanted this win, and everyone was ready to just give their full effort,” Navin said. “When we got down to our offensive end, we had a play in mind, but we quickly realized it wasn't going to go as planned, as they were pressuring us more than before. I just kept trying to drive to the goal until the second take when they fouled me. I knew I could make that 8-meter because I could feel my teammates’ belief in me. They picked me back up after I was fouled and calmed me down. After that, it was just about getting off the line quickly and placing it.”

Hopper was outstanding between the pipes, making 13 saves to lead a strong defensive effort alongside Clio Foley ’26. Yoon added two goals, including the game-tying score to force overtime. Dixon contributed two goals and six draw controls, helping Masters control the midfield, while Schab rounded out the scoring with her first goal of the season.

“This win over Sacred Heart was super important to us and has really set the tone for the rest of our season,” Navin said. “Going into it, we strove to bring 100 percent to every aspect of our game and to push ourselves and each other. The energy was on point throughout the entire game and never faltered. This helped us to carry out our win because you could feel the excitement and adrenaline whether you were on the field or the sideline.”

Looking ahead, Masters will close out the week with a pair of road games at Avenues on April 22 and King on April 25.

The Panthers hope to keep the momentum going while protecting their unbeaten record.

“We all know the potential of our team and are working for each other to unlock it,” Yoon said. “With each practice and game, we grow more connected on and off the field. Together, after each win, we allow that adrenaline and high to carry us forward to the next, while understanding that we still need to work for each victory. By leaning on each other, and with the cushioning of our past wins, we are able to go into future games knowing that we are capable of defeating any team.”

Because hard work pays off.