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Hand Girls’ Lacrosse Sees Solid Week with Two Big Wins

After winning seven games over the course of its entire 2021 season, the Hand girls’ lacrosse team is standing with an overall record of 9-4 as the Tigers hit the home stretch of the 2022 campaign. Hand continued its solid season by winning two of its three games last week and also recently qualified for the Class M State Tournament after coming up just shy of making states last year.

Head Coach Lindsey Carroll credits the Tigers’ ability to make smart decisions on both offense and defense as a key factor in the team’s success this spring.

“I feel like the team is doing well,” Coach Carroll said. “We have a very intelligent, reflective group of girls that are committed to working on areas of growth and playing as a team.”

Hand started off last week by losing a close decision to Guilford before rebounding to earn wins over East Lyme and Simsbury. On May 3, the Tigers hosted the Grizzlies at the Surf Club and were edged out by the final score of 15-14.

Senior Kacie Wines and junior Lydia Doraz scored 5 goals apiece for Hand in its game against Guilford. Senior captain Reilly Dolan scored 2 goals, senior captain Karleigh Kokoruda had 1 goal, and junior Anna Flanagan also scored a goal for the Tigers.

“We were goal to goal with them the whole game,” said Carroll. “They marked up quick on our clears and got a few goals on jumping our clears as our backs were turned. We definitely had a chance to win, but had some unfortunate turnovers in the last three minutes of the game.”

Two days later, Hand played a home game versus East Lyme and claimed a 17-8 victory versus the Vikings. Wines netted 8 goals and also tallied 2 assists in the win. Kokoruda had 3 goals, and Doraz scored 2 goals. Dolan, senior Riley Kilbourn, junior Shawn Staak, and sophomore Haley Wines each scored one goal for Coach Carroll’s squad.

“We came out flat in the first half,” Carroll said. “But the girls stepped up and played a tough game in the second half in order for us to get the win.”

The Tigers closed out their week by notching a 9-3 home win over Simsbury in a non-conference game on May 7. Wines scored 3 goals and recorded her 200th career point in the contest. Junior Maci Pellegrino had 2 goals, while Kilbourne, Staak, Kokoruda, and Dolan all scored one goal.

“It was a slow burn. We didn’t score our first goal until 12 minutes into the game,” said Carroll. “We ended up going up 5-0 at halftime and didn’t look back from there. It was a great win.”

Coach Carroll credited Kacie Wines and Doraz for making major contributions in Hand’s offense this year. Carroll has also enjoyed watching junior Coco Rourke lead the Tigers’ defensive unit throughout the season.

“Kacie Wines is a force of nature. Despite being double- and triple-teamed almost every game this season, she continues to develop and remains our top scorer,” Carroll said. “Lydia Doraz is a huge possession girl on the circle and threat on attack. She is likely the fastest girl on the field at all times. Coco Rourke has been an integral defensive player. She’s been incredible with interceptions, turnovers, and clears.”

The Tigers have three contests remaining on their regular-season schedule, including road games versus Amity and Cheshire, followed by their final home game of the year against Mercy on Tuesday, May 17. Coach Carroll is eager to see what her team can achieve as Hand gears up to compete in the postseason this spring.

“Seeing these girls develop their chemistry and work so hard to come to a place where they recognize their true potential is what has been rewarding for me,” said Carroll. “There are still some things we need to improve on, like our transitions and consistency. My expectations are to continue to develop and play at the top of our game and maximize our ability and potential.”

Hand’s roster for 2022 season features senior captains Reilly Dolan and Karleigh Kokoruda; seniors Kacie Wines, Peytyn Gies, Riley Kilbourn, Perry Jensen, and Adelia McGuire; juniors Maci Pellegrino, Anna Flanagan, Olivia Catala, Shawn Staak, Lydia Doraz, Reegan O’Dea, and Coco Rourke; sophomores Paige Steffen, Kelly Kilbourn, Phoebe Doraz, Haley Wines, Regan Suerth, Jacqueline Kennedy, and Rebecca Snyder; and freshmen Bridget Waters, Nora Hughes, and Addison Kosiewicz.

“I have had the honor of coaching these girls since they were all in 4th grade,” Coach Carroll said. “It is so fulfilling watching them develop into the team they are today.”