BOXFORD — Amidst the high wind gusts, and the clatter of the traffic from nearby I-95, Molly Gillespie shifted seamlessly between the offensive and defensive zones against visiting Marblehead High last Monday afternoon.

At one point in the second half, the Masconomet Regional senior captain prevented an open shot with a well-timed stick extension, quickly pairing it with a friendly check to deny a closer challenge.

All the while, she made her presence in the midfield known: “Me! Me! Me!’’ she shouted, indicating her specific assignment.

Moments later, Gillespie was on the attack. With the Chieftains facing an 8-7 deficit with regulation time waning, she held a steady cradle as she popped in and out of the right side of the Header crease, faking challenges until she finally found an opening to capitalize. Within seconds, her shot found twine, and the game was tied.

Masco lost in overtime, but Gillespie had left her mark.

“You need to be able to see the field as a whole and contribute a little bit of everything,’’ said Gillespie, detailing the role of a midfielder.

From the opening draw until the final whistle, midfielders have their hand, or hands, on the pulse of the action. And they cover every zone.

For a few, it starts on the attack. Masconomet also features junior attack Grace Fahey, a Syracuse University recruit, but Gillespie tallied 52 goals a year ago in her team’s run to the Division 1 North semifinals.

“This isn’t a sport where you can put the ball in one person’s hands at all times, but we feel really confident when she’s got it on that end,’’ said Masconomet Regional coach Alan McCarthy.

“She’s someone you want to have the ball when the game is on the line.’’

Added the University of Massachusetts-bound Gillespie, “Coach always tells me I need to be the quarterback on offense.’’

Kerri Guillemette has a player with similar skills at Bishop Fenwick. Instrumental in the formation of the program a decade ago, the coach has, for the first time, a midfielder with the flair to finish with great prowess. Senior Merry Harrington racked up 115 goals and 22 assists last season.

“She’s got a natural build for lacrosse, and that’s especially seen in her knack for finding the back of the net,’’ Guillemette said.

“She’ll get open even when she’s face-guarded.’’

Harrington, though, doesn’t forget her defensive responsibilties.

“I find a little more comfort in offense, but when it comes down to the course of the game, I have to contribute on both ends,’’ Harrington said.

Andover High senior Veronica Alois is an aggressive, dogged defender in front of sophomore goalie Gabby Vaccaro.

“Oh my, she’ll run you over to get the ball,’’ Andover coach Cat Gross said.

“Her tenacity allows her to just consistently force turnovers.’’

According to Alois, involvement in play from net to net is crucial — but it all starts from the back.

“We can’t transition if we’re not keeping the other team out,’’ said Alois, a Brown University recruit for soccer and ice hockey.

“I started off on defense freshman year, so certain aspects of the mindset that comes with that position definitely stuck with me when I got moved up.’’

Transitioning, as Alois points out, is the bridge that connects successful stops with successful scores. A midfielder’s ability to seamlessly move across all three zones is extremely important in moving the ball down the field.

“I’m definitely most proficient in the attack, and that starts with efficient ball movement in the midfield,’’ added Amanda Burns, a returning Globe All-Scholastic midfielder at Billerica.

“Transition sets up the attack’s form and can decide how much success our team has with scoring.’’

And that transition, or gaining possession, begins with winning the draw. At Masconomet, Gillespie is a specialist.

“It all starts there,’’ Gillespie said.

“Lacrosse is a possession dominated game and you get that through the draw. I love being able to bring it down and start the push.’’

Added fellow captain Abby Rebbins, “it sets the tone for large stretches at a time.

“When you have someone out there that you can depend upon to pull through time and time again, it makes all the difference.’’

And for seniors like Gillespie, Harrington, Alois, and Burns, the position goes hand-in-hand with their roles as leaders. A midfielder rules the center of the field.

“[Veronica] is our spark,’’ Gross said of Alois.

Guillemette said Harrington “handles her teammates so well.’’

“She’s the biggest cheerleader and encourager and she’ll get more excited when the others do something well than when she does herself. She can perform and has the ability to help those around her do so.’’

As the spring season swings into full gear, teams depend on their core players to lead. With a capable midfielder like Gillepsie leading the way, McCarthy is more at ease.

“She’s just so fully invested,’’ McCarthy said.

“She cares about this team so much, and she’s able to transfer that into success across the board.’’

Ethan Schroeder can be reached at ethan.schroeder@globe.com.