by Eric Mojica

Lowell Girls Youth Lacrosse wrapped up its 2025 season with a fantastic showing at the Mass Youth Lacrosse Jamboree, held over two weekends at Fort Devens.

With more than 630 teams from across Massachusetts participating, the Jamboree was a fun and competitive way to close out the season.

Lowell was proudly represented by five teams—1/2, 3/4 Red, 3/4 White, 5/6, and 7/8—and each brought energy, sportsmanship, and impressive teamwork to the field. From exciting finishes to undefeated records, every team had highlights to celebrate.

Here’s a look at how each Lowell squad capped off their season.

Grade 1/2 Jamboree Recap & Coaches’ End of Season Comments:

Lowell played three tightly contested games at the Jamboree against Lynnfield, Foxboro, and Nashoba, finishing the day with a 1-1-1 record. Each game was decided by either a tie or a single goal, showcasing just how competitive and balanced the matchups were.

The highlight of the day came during the opening game against Lynnfield, when the team rallied to score three goals in the final 90 seconds to tie it up. Lowell won the draw following the tying goal and nearly netted the game-winner, but time expired just before the shot could be taken — an exciting way to kick off the day!

Every player contributed throughout the event, with strong defensive efforts and ball pressure in all three games. Eva Mojica led the offense with an impressive 11 goals and 9 assists, while Michaela Marshall added 6 goals and 6 assists of her own. Avery Gudewich scored 4 goals, Kinsley Witts added 2 goals and stood out defensively with smart slides to the open player, and both Etta Brunini and Riley Brady each scored a goal.

Lowell showed great teamwork with Ruari Pollard recording 2 assists, while Evelyn McManus, Lyla Curran-Benson, Sophia Bedard, Vivian Gilmore, Kerryn Welch, and Maggie Regan each added 1 assist. Regan also contributed defensively with several key interceptions.

Lowell’s goalies—Riley Brady, Maggie Regan, Audrey Whittemore, Ruari Pollard, Etta Brunini, and Hazel Falcon—each made crucial saves, anchoring a strong defensive showing across all three games.

It was a true team effort, marked by hustle, heart, and a lot of highlights!

Coaches Mike Gudewich (2^nd season), Eric Mojica (2^nd), Heather Brunini (2^nd), Chris Benson (2^nd), Tim Patterson (1^st): What a fantastic season for our Grade 1/2 team! From the first whistle to the final game at the Jamboree, these players showed incredible growth, effort, and teamwork. Week after week, they brought energy, learned new skills, and supported one another on and off the field.

We saw great progress in all areas — from passing and scoring to defensive play and goalkeeping. Every player contributed, and it was especially exciting to watch new players gain confidence while returning players built on their skills and stepped into leadership roles.

The highlight of the season came at the Jamboree, where the team played three close games and rallied together in some truly exciting moments. It was the perfect reflection of their hard work and team spirit.

We’re so proud of this group and grateful for the fun, focus, and heart they brought every week. It was an amazing season, and we can’t wait to see what they do next!

Grade 3/4 White Jamboree Recap & Coaches’ End of Season Comments:

The MYL Jamboree was a huge success for the Lowell Girls 3/4 White team, who went undefeated with a perfect 3-0 record on the day. They opened with a strong 9-4 win over Westford, followed by an 11-6 victory against Northboro/Southboro, and wrapped up the day with an exciting 12-10 win over Swampscott.

Team defense has been a top priority all season, and it truly showed in all three games. The girls played with focus and intensity, working together seamlessly on both ends of the field. Offensively and defensively, they supported one another, made smart plays, and played selfless, team-first lacrosse. It was, hands down, the most complete team performance of the season.

Lily Brady and Brooklyn Esteves shared time in goal—Lily tallied 1 save in the opener and 4 more in the final game, while Brooklyn made a big impact in Game 2 with 9 key saves.

On the offensive side, the team was on fire. Addison Feeney led the way with 12 goals and 7 assists, followed by Bella Cardaci with 7 goals and 3 assists. Vivian Brown added 5 goals and 4 assists, and Maggie Branco served as a key playmaker with 2 goals and 7 assists. Breton Tanguay chipped in 3 goals and 1 assist, while Brooklyn Esteves added 3 goals of her own. Emma Smulligan, Madi O’Hearn, and Grace Ninteau each contributed an assist to round out a well-balanced scoring effort.

It was a true team effort from start to finish, with standout performances and unshakable teamwork in every game. The girls should be incredibly proud of how they represented Lowell at the Jamboree!

Coaches Jill Feeney (1^st season), Jimmy Cardaci (2^nd): It was a truly great way to end the season. We’re extremely proud of the progress the team made—and especially proud of the heart each player showed along the way. Every single player grew so much, and it was amazing to watch their development from start to finish. We’re incredibly grateful for the opportunity to coach this group and to witness their growth, effort, and love for the game throughout the season.

Grade 3/4 Red Jamboree Recap & Coaches’ End of Season Comments:

The 3/4 Red team delivered a standout performance at the MYL Jamboree, winning two out of three games against tough competition. The team’s success was fueled by exceptional teamwork, relentless effort and a shared determination that made every matchup thrilling from start to finish.

Offensively, draw domination was key, followed by quick connecting passes and impressive speed towards the net. Scoring was a true team effort, with multiple girls contributing throughout the day: Ellie Branco (16 goals), Vivian Shanley (6 goals), Ellie Jaracz (6 goals), Addison Dolan (4 goals), Brooke Sorbi (3 goals), and Gisele Smith (1 goal).

A strong midfield line, led by Audrey Hunt, EmmaGrace Glavine, and Avery Hungler assisted every offensive push, hustling for ground balls, boxing out and running down the field.

Defensively, 3/4 Red held opponents at bay. Kenzie Keo, Alice Regan, and Katy Florence were quick to mark up and apply pressure, forcing missed shots and key turnovers. In goal, Keira Pollard was phenomenal with over 15 critical saves and anchoring the defense with confidence.

Coaches Kaitie Shanley (4^th season), Meghan Dolan (4^th): It was a season to remember, and the coaches couldn’t be prouder of 3/4 Red’s growth and spirit.

Each LGL athlete brought energy, curiosity, and a willingness to step into new roles- developing both offensive and defensive skills along the way. Their chemistry, hustle and love for the game were evident in every play. From chasing down ground balls to sharpening their passing and boosting their agility, these athletes gave it their all.

The future is bright for athletes on 3/4 Red- and we can’t wait to see what is next!

Grade 5/6 Jamboree Recap & Coaches’ End of Season Comments:

The MYL Jamboree was such a fun way to wrap up the season for the Lowell Girls 5/6 team! They teamed up with the Lowell Boys 7/8 team to create one big homebase and refueling station, giving everyone a great chance to hang out and show their Lowell pride. It was awesome to see so many players and families come together to support one another.

On the field, the girls finished the day with a solid 2-1 record. They kicked things off against a strong Shrewsbury team, and while it took a little time to get going, the girls shook off the cobwebs and hit their stride in the next two games.

Game 2 was against Amesbury, and even though the final score didn’t go their way, it was a great effort. The defense really stepped up, with Erin McGovern, Nora Finn, Niamh Murphy, and Keira Peters all playing tough and keeping Amesbury on their toes. Renee Wagner and Bella Bedard battled hard for ground balls to help flip possessions, and Sam Heslin found the back of the net with a great goal.

The team ended the day on a high note with a big win over Stoneham. It was a full team effort from start to finish. Maggie Wilson set the tone by winning the opening draw, and six different players scored—Nora Graham, Maggie Wilson, Cate Richardson, Maggie Richardson, Nora Kelly, and Maeve Marshall. Maeve McKiernan was everywhere on the field with great catches and crisp passes, while Mairin Monaghan added two assists with some smart play. Abby Smulligan brought strong defensive pressure all game, and Erin McGovern made several key saves in net. Keira Peters stayed aggressive on ground balls, helping maintain momentum, and Talia Cardia stepped up wherever she was needed, making important plays on both sides of the field. Nora Kelly led the team in scoring across all three games with three goals total.

Overall, the girls played with heart, grit, and teamwork all day long, and it was a great way to represent Lowell at the Jamboree!

Coaches Bethany Sykes Peters (6th season), Steve McGovern (7th), Christin Monaghan (5th), Jerry Murphy (5th): This season, the 5/6 team focused on strengthening fundamentals, improving communication, and learning more advanced offensive and defensive concepts around the arcs. The girls showed steady progress each week, putting in the work through conditioning, drills, and scrimmages—and it paid off.

One of the highlights of the season was the weekly Golden Stick recognition, where teammates celebrated players who showed grit, teamwork, and sportsmanship. These moments really reflected the positive culture the team built together.

The coaching staff is incredibly proud of the effort and growth shown by every player.

We’re excited to see our returning 6th graders step into leadership roles next season, helping younger teammates adjust to the bigger field and new rules. And we look forward to seeing our new 7th graders take on their final year with Lowell Girls Lacrosse at the U14 level.

It was a season full of heart, hustle, and Lowell pride—and we can’t wait for what’s next!

Grade 7/8 Jamboree Recap & Coaches’ End of Season Comments:

The MYL Jamboree was a blast for the U14 girls who attended, even though the event was cut short due to flooded fields. Before the cancellation, our Lowell players teamed up with girls from Billerica to form one combined team—and it turned out to be a great experience! The group quickly built chemistry on the field, played hard, and had a lot of fun competing together. While we were only able to play one game, the girls made the most of it with great teamwork, energy, and sportsmanship. It was a memorable way to cap off the season!

Coaches Sophia Marsden (1^st season), Bella Marsden (1^st), Jackie Peirce (1^st), Sarah Abraham (1^st): This season was full of growth, development, and memorable moments for all of our girls. We’re especially proud to send a few of our players off to high school next year—whether it’s Greater Lowell Tech or Lowell High—and we can’t wait to see what they accomplish. A big thank you to our players, families, and coaches for an amazing season!

Closing Remarks from Lowell Girls Lacrosse Program President, Kaitie Shanley

As we wrap up another incredible season for Lowell Girls Youth Lacrosse, I want to take a moment to reflect on all the amazing milestones we’ve achieved together as a program.

This year, we proudly introduced the newest addition to our program—LGL Littles, welcoming our first-ever group of kindergarten athletes. Their energy and enthusiasm were contagious, and we can’t wait to watch them grow in the seasons ahead!

Our teams trained hard at the Tyngsboro Sports Center on new turf, where our athletes developed their skills and built lasting friendships. We also launched a new Fundraising Committee, whose dedication helped us host a successful Fundraising Night at Long Meadow Golf Club—a night filled with support, laughter, and community spirit.

One of the highlights of the season was our Field Day at Carvalho Stadium, where players and coaches came together to play games and have fun. Our teams also proudly competed in 8 MYL Classic Games showcasing their growth, teamwork, and sportsmanship. Lowell Select girls challenged themselves and teamed up with Tewksbury and Bedford players. A final highlight was LGL’s presence at the MYL Jamboree in Fort Devens totaling 18 games across 4 days.

Despite our challenges with rainy and cold weather, LGL made the best of the season! We had a sweet ending to the season with Kona Ice Truck appearances and Ice Cream Night at Meadowlands—fun-filled evenings where players, families, and coaches gathered to enjoy well-earned treats.

Beyond the field, our athletes had the opportunity to attend Youth Day and Night Games at Merrimack College and Lowell High School, inspiring them to dream big and continue their lacrosse journey.

Thank you to our LGL parents for raising strong-willed, talented lacrosse girls and for always being there on the sidelines—your support, encouragement, and dedication mean the world to the program.

None of this would be possible without the tireless efforts of our board members, fundraising committee, coaches, assistant coaches, and volunteers. Your passion and commitment are the backbone of this program, and I am deeply grateful for everything you do to support and develop our athletes. From February practices to June Jamboree games, LGL had a memorable season.

To LHS Athletic Director Scott Ouellet, thank you for your partnership and generosity in sharing field space with our young players. Your support allowed our teams to practice daily and grow stronger together. We also want to thank Boo and Conor for working closely with us and helping ensure the fields at the Cawley Complex were in great shape and ready for games and practices all season long.

A special and heartfelt thank you to O’Hearn Insurance for making it possible to feature our athletes weekly in Inside Lowell. Your support has helped shine a light on the hard work and dedication of our female athletes.

This season was a true testament to what we can achieve when we come together as a community. Thank you all for making it so special. We can’t wait to see what the 2026 season brings!

With gratitude,
Kaitie Shanley
President, Lowell Girls Youth Lacrosse