Grade 1/2 team greets Kinsley Witts after an outstanding half in net.

by Eric Mojica

Lowell Girls Youth Lacrosse teams brought the energy this week, delivering standout performances and thrilling games at every level. From dominant wins to hard-fought ties, the effort, teamwork, and growth shown across all age groups reflect the dedication the girls have put in all season.

With the regular season nearing its close, each team is building momentum heading into the final stretch and the upcoming Jamboree. Here’s a look at how each team performed this past week.

Grade 1/2:

The 1/2 team delivered one of their most complete performances of the season on Sunday, earning a convincing 10–3 win over Reading. The victory was marked by balanced play on both ends of the field, showcasing the team’s continued growth and chemistry.

Lowell’s defense was rock solid, playing tight on their marks and shutting down multiple shooting opportunities. Their pressure led to several turnovers that sparked transition chances. On offense, the team moved the ball quickly upfield, connected on smart passes, and showed great awareness around the net, especially in tracking down missed shots to generate second-chance opportunities.

Ellie Branco runs the ball down the field for the Grade 3/4 Red squad

Midfielders Eva Mojica (4 goals, 4 assists) and Michaela Marshall (4 goals) led the offensive charge, while Evelyn McManus and Kinsley Witts each added an assist and played aggressively in the midfield. Lyla Curran-Benson also brought strong energy and effort at the midfield position.

On attack, Avery Gudewich contributed 2 goals and 2 assists, Vivian Gilmore added a nice assist, and Reese Hegarty made her presence known by relentlessly chasing ground balls.

In goal, Riley Brady got the start and made several key saves to keep Reading off the board early. Kinsley Witts stepped into the net for the second half and impressed in her debut, coming up with multiple strong saves to help seal the win.

The team will take a break over Memorial Day weekend before closing out the regular season with a matchup at Chelmsford.

Next Game: Sunday (6/01) Away at Chelmsford (9:45AM)

Madi O’Hearn plans her move around the defender.

Grade 3/4 White:

The 3/4 White team had a busy week with two games—first taking on Nashoba on Sunday (5/18), followed by a makeup game against North Middlesex on Wednesday night (5/21).

Sunday’s matchup against Nashoba was a hard-fought battle that ended in an 11–9 loss. Lily Brady stepped up in goal for the short-handed Nashoba squad, making three second-half saves. Brooklyn Esteves stood tall in net for Lowell, recording four saves of her own. Standout performances came from midfielders Addison Feeney (4 goals, 2 assists), Vivian Brown (2 goals, 1 assist), and Breton Tanguay (2 goals), with Bella Cardaci adding a goal and an assist from the attack.

On Wednesday night, the girls bounced back with an impressive 13–7 team win over North Middlesex. Brooklyn Esteves was excellent in goal with five saves, while the defense played a gritty and determined game led by Madi O’Hearn (1 assist), Bridget Quirbach, birthday girl Maya Underwood, Kendra Dexter, and Grace Ninteau.

In the midfield, Addison Feeney (5 goals, 1 assist), Breton Tanguay (3 goals, 1 assist), Vivian Brown (1 goal, 1 assist), Maggie Branco (1 assist), and Penny Hubert dominated the draw and battled hard for ground balls. The attack unit kept the offense flowing with strong cutting and movement, highlighted by Bella Cardaci’s four goals and one assist, along with key contributions from Emma Smulligan, Delaney Donovan, and Lily Brady.

A great team win and another big step forward in the team’s development!

Next Game: Sunday (6/01) Away at Andover (11:30AM)

Ellie Jaracz motors toward the net.

Grade 3/4 Red:

The Lowell 3/4 Red team showcased strong offensive skills against Reading, securing a 15-13 win in a back-and-forth game.

Draw controls and quick movement of the ball was pivotal to achieving goals, with outstanding performance from Vivian Shanley (7 goals) and Ellie Branco (6 goals). Audrey Hunt and Ellie Jaracz also found the net, scoring a goal each. Addy Dolan, Avery Hungler, and Emmagrace Glavine assisted goals, hustling after ground balls and finding open passing lanes.

Defense kept the talented Reading at bay, with Gisele Smith, Kenzie Keo, Alice Regan, Emily Kilbride, and Katy Florence leveraging man on man to cover the field. Vivian Rosenberry was excellent in goal, blocking several attempts to score.

Next Game: Sunday (6/01) Away at Chelmsford (10:30AM)

Nora Kelly makes the pass to Maeve McKiernan, as Bella Bedard looks on.

Grade 5/6:

The 5/6 team played a tightly contested, back-and-forth game against Reading, with strong efforts across the field and great teamwork from start to finish. Scoring was well distributed in a balanced offensive showing, with Maeve Marshall leading the way with 3 goals. Cate Richardson added 2 goals, while Maeve McKiernan, Sam Heslin, and Nylah Nwaise each chipped in with 1 goal.

The offense found its rhythm thanks to solid ball movement and smart passing. Maeve McKiernan had two key assists, one to Cate Richardson and another to Sam Heslin, highlighting the team’s unselfish play. Across the board, the middies and attackers worked together well, and every player had touches on the ball.

On the hustle side, Bella Bedard was aggressive in boxing out to secure ground balls, while Abby Smulligan gained control of several key loose balls. Renee Wagner showed growing confidence, taking more risks and getting after ground balls. Sam Heslin did a great job getting open and positioning herself behind the net to create chances.

Defensively, Lowell held strong thanks to the efforts of Rosalinda Goguen, Niamh Murphy, Nora Graham, and Maggie Wilson, all of whom played with intensity. Erin McGovern was a standout in net, making multiple big saves to keep the game close.

Overall, it was a great team effort in a hard-fought matchup. The team’s continued growth and chemistry were on full display!

Next Game: Sunday (6/01) Away at Chelmsford (12:15PM)

Grade 7/8 team regroups at halftime.

Grade 7/8:

In Sunday’s game against Reading, the 7/8 team delivered an exceptional all-around performance that ended in a 9–9 tie.

The defense stepped up in the second half, with key plays by Reese McKiernan, Isabella Sorbi, Peyton Kum, and Jolene Heslin leading to multiple turnovers.

On the offensive side, goals and assists came from Alexa Wisdom, Sadie Ronan, Lilly Bordeleau, Skylar Nwaise, and Lily Wilkey, showcasing a strong team effort from both the midfield and attack. The team also got a boost from several 5th and 6th graders who stepped up to contribute. 5th graders Sam Heslin and Maeve McKiernan brought energy and hustle, making key plays throughout their extra shift. Meanwhile, 6th graders Mairin Monaghan and Maeve Marshall each found the back of the net, helping to round out a well-fought, competitive game.

Next Game: Sunday (6/01) Away at Chelmsford (1:30PM)

Grade 1/2 team attempting to control the draw.