Blasts Stoneham in final tuneup before tourney

CATHY Francis, a junior (#14), carries the ball upfield during a recent game as teammate Kelsey Czarnota (#3) and Isa Cusack (#30) trail the play. Czarnota scored four goals and Cusack tallied one goal in Wakefield’s 15-5 win over Stoneham.  (Donna Larsson File Photo)

CATHY Francis, a junior (#14), carries the ball upfield during a recent game as teammate Kelsey Czarnota (#3) and Isa Cusack (#30) trail the play. Czarnota scored four goals and Cusack tallied one goal in Wakefield’s 15-5 win over Stoneham.
(Donna Larsson File Photo)

STONEHAM — Despite the severe weather this past winter and many postponements to begin the spring, the Wakefield High girls’ lacrosse team was unaffected by all that as it finished the regular season on time with a 15-5 triumph in the finale yesterday afternoon at Stoneham High School.

Wakefield ended the regular season with an 11-7 overall record and now will await its opponent in the upcoming state tournament.

“Today all we really tried to do was work on ball movement and double teaming on transition,” said Coach Cara Luca. “(The) Girls played well and (we) needed (to end) the regular season on a good note. We haven’t had a season like this since 2012 when we made the tourney. We have 10 days before we find out who we play in tournament so we have a lot of practicing to do.”

Emily Ryan and Kelsey Czarnota had four goals each to lead Wakefield against the Spartans. Julianne Bourque had three goals, Brianna Smith had two goals and both Isa Cusack and Taylor Messina tallied one goal.

Bianca Passacantilli had some key saves for the Warriors yesterday. The junior made six saves.

“We are now in tourney mode. (We are) Anticipating to see who we play first,” said Luca.

The Warriors are hoping to play anyone except Winchester who they have faced each of the previous two times in the state tournament. Both times Wakefield suffered first round defeats. The lacrosse tournament pairings are being done on Friday, May 29 and the tournament itself is slated to begin on May 31.