The Blue Demons 16-goal power surge was not enough as Germantown Academy picks up 18-16 win By Dave Conard Sports Editor KennettTimes.com
Kennett junior Sophie DuPhily racked up nine points against G-A
FORT WASHINGTON—The new era of Kennett girl’s lacrosse was ushered in on Tuesday with a 16-goal performance as the Blue Demons battled playoff tested Germantown Academy on their gorgeous new turf fields, dropping their season opener to the Patriots 18-16
There’s a lot to be said for retirement, generally speaking.
There is more time for reflection, more availability for items on the old “honey do” list to get done and more time to catch up with friends at the local Starbucks.
That being said, for coach Dale Watkins who spent more than 15 years preparing every spring for the battles in the trenches of the Ches-Mont league lacrosse season, the abundance of free time to realize how much he missed the challenges that accompany every season was too much bare.
Kennett head coach Dale Watkins discusses strategy as the Blue Demons drew to within two goals late in the gamer
“I was sitting at home and realized how much I missed it,” said Watkins. “I watched these girls last season and when I saw that the Kennett coaching job was available I jumped at the chance. We have a great group of girl’s with a lot of talent. One of our biggest challenges this season will be to get them to believe in themselves.”
Following a performance in which Kennett refused to buckle under to G-A pressure and attack, rebounding from two-six goal deficits and drawing to within two goals twice during the second half, the Blue Demons confidence should be at an all time high, in the offensive end anyway.
Kennett sniper and recent University of Michigan committee Sophie DuPhily (6 goals, 3assists), Toni Massetti (4 goals, assist) and Krissy Gallivan, who added four tallies of her own were relentless in attacking the Pats net, leading the way for the Blue Demons who posted ten second half goals.
“This is a great group of girls,” said DuPhily, who will be instrumental in the establishment of the Wolverines as a division one contender. “I am so excited about this season, this is a very good team we played today and we hung with them all the way to the end with a chance to tie it, 16 goals wow, if we tighten up some things we are going to have a great year.”
Unfortunately for Kennett, a couple of errors in execution and momentary lapses on defense allowed the home team to take advantage and emerge from the fray with a win 18-16.
Blue Demons attacker Toni Massetti posted four goal and an assist against the Pats
“We gave up some easy goals today,” added Watkins. “We need to eliminate the mistakes and do a better job catching the ball in the offensive zone. We cost our selves scoring chances because we did not make good passes and did not catch the ball in their end. If we button that down it will be a very good season, we have the talent, we just need to believe.”
With the Blue Demons ability to cycle the ball down low and the transition offense that they generated against Germantown Academy, the outlook for the Kennett season is bright indeed.
Kennett 6 10 -16
Germantown Academy 12 6 -18
Blue Demons Scoring
Kristen Schaen- goal
Haley DeVoe- goal
Sophie DuPhily-6 goals, 3 assists
Krissy Gallivan- 4 goals
Toni Massetti- 4goals, assist
Patriots scoring
Kelli Stack- 3goals
Brooke Kiley- 6 goals, 3 assists
Caroline Haynie- goal, 5 assists
Catherine Perlmutter- assist
Cooper Hall- 3 goals
Hanna Bagerowski- 4 goals, assist
Allie Cannon- goal
Kennett's Kirtsin Schaen scored a goal in Tuesday battle at Germantown Academy
