John Jay starts fast to open season with win over Rebels

Kaitlin Condon wins the draw for the Wolves. Dillon Hall had a hat trick for the Wolves in season-opening victory. Caitlin Brennan makes her move around a Rebel defender. Amelia Inglis looks for an open teammate. Jim MacLean Photos

By JIM MACLEAN 

Heading into a new season with just one senior on the roster, having lost eight starters to graduation and a key returning player to a season ending injury before the season even begins, you might think it would be a rough start for the John Jay girls varsity lacrosse program.

It certainly didn’t look that way when John Jay opened the season at home against Lakeland/Panas on Monday. The Wolves scored two quick goals and opened up a 5-1 lead on the way to a 14-10 victory.

A big win and a lot of positive signs all across the field for John Jay as the Wolves look to prove that they are ready to compete once again with the best in Section 1.

“We lost eight starters and right before the season began we lost Dylan Kauftheil to a season-ending injury,” explained John Jay coach Jess McDonough. “We believe in the group we have returning. We have talented veterans who understand our standards and what Jay lacrosse represents. This team is eager, competitive and ready to grow together.”

It didn’t take long for the Wolves to show it on the field with a fast start against Lakeland/Panas. Kaitlin Condon won the opening draw and the Wolves were off and running with Dillon Hall finishing for the goal and a 1-0 lead. About a minute later it was déjà vu with Condon winning the draw and Hall finishing again for her second goal and a 2-0 lead.

The Rebels answered with a goal, but John Jay responded immediately to regain the momentum as Amelia Inglis scored to make it 3-1. The Wolves had a number of opportunities and had two shots clang off the goal posts as they closed out the first quarter with the two-goal lead.

John Jay carried the momentum into the second period as goalie Riley McCaffrey made a big save and the Wolves took off in transition with Caitlin Brennan scoring the goal for a 4-1 lead. The Wolves scored again just 30 seconds later as Condon won another draw and Coco Inglis scored the goal to make it 5-1.

Lakeland/Panas responded with a pair of goals, but John Jay closed out the first half with a strong final two minutes to take control once again. Amelia Inglis scored off a nice assist from her sister Coco to make it 6-3 with 1:38 left in the half. Then Coco made another nice pass for an assist on a goal by Finja Degl with just eight seconds left on the clock to make it 7-3 at halftime.

The Wolves kept it going in the second half to close out the 14-10 victory. Amelia Inglis and Hall each scored three goals to register a hat trick and lead the way. Caitlin Brennan, Coco Inglis, and Maye Viders each scored two goals, and Degl scored one. McCaffrey registered seven saves in goal to record the win. Condon and Degl teaming up on the circle to win the draw and gain possession had a big impact on the final outcome in the victory for the Wolves.

It was an impressive start for a young team with just one senior on the roster and a lot of newcomers in the starting lineup.

“Amelia Inglis is our lone senior, her leadership is incredibly important and we are expecting her to continue setting and reinforcing the standards of Jay lacrosse every single day,” explained McDonough. “We’re also looking to our returners Finja, Caitlin Brennan and Condon to step into strong leadership roles. We have a solid core returning. We are a young team, but we are very excited about our newcomers and the energy they bring to the program.”

The Inglis sisters and Caitlin Brennan all return with varsity experience to lead the attack along with newcomers Erin Brennan and Ava Cervantes. Degl and Hall return to lead the midfield along with newcomers Viders and Clara Bazaar. On defense, Condon will be the leader as the lone returning starter along with returning varsity player Sarah Swiderski. Sawyer Hall, Marcie Maurice, Briar Cindrich, Sophie Rajamani and Kelly Tucken will all step up on the defensive end of the field. McCaffrey and Ellie Inglis will take over the goaltending duties. It adds up to a roster with a lot of new faces, but a lot of talent and the potential to turn in another big season for the Wolves.

“We’re heading into the season with a lot of excitement,” added McDonough. “This team is motivated, coachable and committed to doing the little things right every day, being fundamentally sound, and playing with intensity and discipline. If we stay locked into that approach, the results will take care of themselves.”