Tide girls’ lacrosse falls to Somerville, Medford to begin the regular season

Everett heads to Lowell to take on the Red Raiders later today, before hosting the Highlanders next Thursday

By Joe McConnell

After waiting out the rain, sleet and snow throughout most of last week, the Everett High School girls’ lacrosse team (0-2) finally got its season underway. The Crimson Tide girls took a trip to Somerville last Friday (April 5) to face the Highlanders at Dilboy Stadium in the regular season opener. They ended up losing to the home team, 16-2. It’s just the beginning of their second year as a program.

Sophomore Amanda Verteiro paced the offensive attack by scoring both goals for first-year coach Chelsea McNiff’s squad. Senior goalie Khadija Ailane came up with eight saves.

The Tide then dropped a 16-4 decision to visiting Medford Monday afternoon at 7-Acres.

Vertiero maintained her torrid scoring pace with three more goals. She was also credited with one assist. Senior Brigitte Reyes Cortez accounted for that tally. Ailane made 10 saves throughout the contest.

“We had tons of fun in both games,” said McNiff after the Medford game. “I was impressed by the team’s enthusiasm and hustle. We prioritized communication on both offense and defense against Medford, and as a result we played great defense against a super physical team.”

McNiff’s charges have since taken to the road. The Tide went up against the Patriots in Revere yesterday (April 11) after press deadline, before traveling to Lowell to face the Red Raiders in a non-league game later today (April 12) at Cawley Stadium, starting at 5:30 p.m. They swill then return home to play host to Somerville next Thursday (April 18) at 7-Acres, beginning at 4 p.m.