Sadie Lopez, NDA hand Walpole first defeat

HIGH SCHOOL LACROSSE

Sophomore tallies 5 goals

Notre Dame Academy’s Sadie Lopez, left, is congratulated on her goal by Caroline Haggerty during a 13-8 girls lacrosse win over Walpole on Friday. STAFF PHOTO BY STUART CAHILL — BOSTON HERALD

Notre Dame Academy’s Taylor Watts, right, scores on Walpole’s goaltender during girls lacrosse play Friday. STAFF PHOTO BY STUART CAHILL — BOSTON HERALD

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By Brendan Connelly

Correspondent

WALPOLE >> It felt like everything was going against them.

An undefeated squad and intense weather still proved no match for Notre Dame Academy (Hingham) on Friday. Sophomore standout Sadie Lopez finished with five goals, as the Cougars (13-3) handed Walpole its first loss with an epic 13-8 victory on the road.

“We rely on each other so much,” Lopez said. “I think that really showed in this game. We were really trusting each other, especially in the clear, just on offense and defense. I think it really came together well today.”

It was a clash between two of the state’s top-tier schools, and this panned out as such in the early going, as they traded goals during the opening three minutes. Then, the Cougars returned to their dominant form, scoring four straight as Notre Dame constructed a 5-1 advantage.

As the second quarter progressed, Notre Dame began to heat up as Lopez registered two more goals in the closing minutes to provide the Cougars a convincing 8-2 lead at the break.

Many were expecting Walpole (13-1) to make a run, and the Timberwolves staged their pursuit as the second half commenced. As the skies opened up and the downpours began, Sophia Fruci opened the third quarter with a goal, before UMass commit Caitlyn Naughton buried two straight tallies. Then Jenna Wong potted a goal and Walpole was back in it, trailing 8-6 with 6:24 to go in the frame.

When it felt like things were coming apart for Notre Dame, Lopez sniped a free position shot to restore order, giving the Cougars a 9-6 edge with 1:29 to play in the third.

“We just got a timeout,” Lopez said. “We knew we could stop them, and we went on a run there, which was great. We were just able to pull ourselves together, and play the game we know how to play.”

With seconds to play in the third, Emma Whoriskey tallied a goal for Notre Dame Academy to make it 10-6, and the Cougars were off and running.

Taylor Watts added a pair of goals in the victory to aid Notre Dame.

After a tough stretch, is it possible that we are seeing the Cougars starting to regain their spot as the state’s top-ranked team?

“I think there’s pressure in every game,” Lopez said. “We want to win every game, and I think we are thinking about ourselves. But, yeah, (Walpole was) a great team that we want to see again.”