Girls Lacrosse Among the Best

State Tournament Approaching

Paige Sharkey ('23) and Riley Glynn ('23)
May 19, 2023

The RMHS Girls’ Lacrosse Team is crushing the 2023 regular season with a record of 14-1, beating some excellent conference opponents.

According to the MIAA power ranking, the Rockets are number three in the division I as of May 15th. Though they are no longer ranked number 1, which was the highest ranking since the state adopted power rankings last year, they are still performing better than any season in recent memory.

They have defeated such powerhouse teams as Acton-Boxborough, Weston, Walpole and Billerica. Last season, they lost to Walpole-the number one seed- in the playoffs, and The Boston Globe characterized their win over Walpole this year as “their sweetest victory.”

This team is led by co-captains, seniors Julia Barbato (27 goals, eight assists) and Sam Maher. Julia Barbato is an attacker and Sam Maher is on defense.

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The biggest improvement has been that we’ve been playing more as a team…

— Julia Barbato ('23)

Working as a Team

In order to become the powerhouse that they are, they are putting in the work both during and outside of the season.

Barbato says, “Before the season we had many captain’s practices and we played in a winter league where we scrimmaged other towns around us. We also did some club practices and team bonding activities.”

Some even get private lessons. Al Sumner, junior at RMHS, is one of the two goalies on the team. They stated that these private lessons keep them “ready for the season.” Sumner has a total of 43 saves in the season.

Even the youngest players have contributed to the amazing stats of the team. The other goalie, Addy Mathews, had a total of 88 saves as just a freshman.

Maher said, “I think our team is so successful because everyone is a threat on the field. We have good players in all grades and in every position on our team.”

Barbato said, “The biggest improvement has been that we’ve been playing more as a team and we have a very equal amount of scorers, assisters, and hard workers.”

“

We have good players in all grades and in every position on our team.

— Samantha Maher ('23)

Their coaches agree that this is what makes the team great. Coach Rachel Monroe, who has coached the team for 11 years, was quoted in The Boston Globe saying, “There’s not one kid on the team who has 50 goals; they just share the ball well. Even though there’s a lot of talent on the team, there aren’t a lot of egos.”

The team has been able to connect not only on the field, but they have been able to become friends in their everyday life. Senior Olivia Johnson, who has been on the team for two years, says that she is the most proud of how they are able to work together.

“We would not have the success that we currently have if it was not for the bonds that we have with each other.”

Road to the Championship

Looking to the future, the Rockets have some big games leading up to the playoffs. Barbato says, “We have tough games coming up against Winchester, North Andover, and Burlington. These will be tough to prepare for, but we will be ready.”

The tournament bracket will be released by the end of May. The team hopes to be playing in the playoffs in June and finish their season winning the State Finals, June 16-18.

Sumner believes that this team has what it takes to win it all.

“I think we have a really strong team all around, everyone brings something different to the table,” said Sumner.