The Lady Tornadoes win big on Senior Day
Already locked into a playoff spot, the Lady Tornadoes took on the Deer Park Falcons in their final home game of the season. Not only were the Lady Tornadoes looking to send off their seniors, but to hopefully improve their seed in the Suffolk County playoffs.
This Tornado squad was honoring nine graduating seniors before the game: Katherine Alnwick, Mikayla Bergin, Kailey Broderick, Falyn Dwyer, Anna Hammond, Angela Rucco, Caroline Sheehan, Grace Steinthal, and Grace Zagaja.
Four of these girls are committed to continuing their lacrosse careers in the NCAA, with Mikayla Bergin at the United States Military Academy, Kailey Broderick at Adelphi University, Grace Steinthal at Manhattanville College, and Grace Zagaja at the United States Naval Academy.
Nothing but kind words about this graduating class came from their underclass teammates, especially from sophomore Jenna Bergin, who praised her teammates saying, “They all work so hard each and every day to better each other and the team, all while being great representation of the Harborfields lacrosse program and great role models for the years to come.”
Jenna, who has spent three years on varsity with these girls, added, “We are all going to miss them like crazy. They are the heart and sole of the team.”
With the Class of 2017 filling out the lineup, the Harborfields attack was aggressive from the opening draw. Within the first two minutes, senior Mikayla Bergin opened up the scoring with the first of her five goals on the day.
In only ten minutes the Lady Tornadoes managed to get the ball past the Deer Park goalie, Grace Monahan, six times. While the Harborfields attack would be slowed slightly, they went into the second half with an 8-3 lead.
After playing dreadful defense in the first half, the Falcons would see no improvement come the second. The Harborfields attack did not slow down and managed ten more goals before the day was over.
The sensational offensive play was aided by a stellar performance on defense. Usually the regular back-up for Erin Tucker, Angela Rucco got the start in net for her senior game. Rucco did not disappoint, only allowing six goals, while making ten saves.
Leading the attack for Harborfields, Caroline Sheehan managed eight points on three goals and five assists, while fellow senior Mikayla Bergin had seven points on five goals and two assists.
Other seniors with points were Grace Zagaja with five, on two goals and three assists, Katherine Alnwick and Falyn Dwyer each with two, on one goal and one assist, and Kailey Broderick with one goal.
Underclassmen scoring points were Giana Bifulco with three, on two goals and one assist, Layla Morris with two, on two goals, and Hallie Simkins with one goal.
Harborfields ends the season with a 7-4 record in League II play. They now await their first round opponent, as the playoff bracket finalizes with the conclusion of the rest of Suffolk County girls’ lacrosse.