RCDS Girls' Lacrosse
Wildcats Cap Off Amazing Season With State Championship

– By Jim Byrne –

Usually, when one uses the phrase “senior moment,” they are referring to a bout of forgetfulness. However, the “senior moment” that occurred for Rye Country Day is something that will not be forgotten any time soon.

Led by a corps of soon-to-be-graduates, the Wildcats captured the New York State Association of Independent Schools State Championship Thursday, May 24, with a dominating performance against Fieldston at Randall's Island. Using momentum gained from their 8-6 win over three-time defending champs Hackley in the Semifinals, Rye Country Day jumped out to a 5-0 lead against Fieldston in the Finals and cruised to a 11-5 win.

With rock-solid performances throughout the regular season and playoffs from seniors Sammy Greenspan, Erin Alpert, Kelly Lengsfield, Allie Lynch, and co-captains Hayley O'Neil and Megan Savage, there was a sense that this was a team of destiny.

“The history these girls have individually, as teammates, and as part of a team is deep,” said head coach Georgette Summers. “They worked hard, day in and day out and have led this team for several years. During their sophomore year many of the seniors quit after the season began. These girls have led the team for three years and their efforts have increased the level of commitment, intensity and play for the entire program. These girls were determined to have a fantastic senior year in athletics. All six have been outstanding role models for the younger athletes. And as I said to them on Thursday, they got the ultimate graduation gift, a NYSAIS championship.”

Five of the six seniors will go on to play lacrosse at college. O'Neil will head to Connecticut College, Savage to Trinity College, Lengsfield to Denison College, Lynch to Wesleyan University and Greenspan to Gettysburg College. According to Summers, all six will be sorely missed.

After dispatching Holy Child 15-9 in the first round of the NYSAIS Tournament, the 12-2 Wildcats advanced to the Semifinals where their toughest competition to date was waiting. Hackley came into the matchup boasting a 15-1 record that proved their hunger for a fourth consecutive state title. The only blemish on the Hornets' record came from a one-goal loss to eventual finalists Fieldston. But the Wildcats were not to be denied, as they took a 6-4 lead into halftime and played an even 2-2 against Hackley in the second half en route to a Finals berth.

Although Rye Country Day was out-shot 20-13, standout junior goalie Madelyn Moelis stopped 14 of those 20 shots on goal, whereas Hackley's Lamira Harik saved only five of 13. Junior Liz Garry, a tenacious offensive threat who will take over the reigns of team leadership in 2008, led RCDS with five points on three goals and two assists. Lynch added three goals, while Greenspan scored two and dished two assists. Sophomore Regan Lengsfield chipped in with an assist.

Against Fieldston in the Finals, it was all Wildcats all day. Garry once again spearheaded the offensive attack, netting six goals and one assist. Greenspan and Lynch each scored two goals and registered one assist, and junior Christina McClintock put in a goal, too. Moelis saved nine of 14 shots attempted.

For the year, Rye Country Day finished 14-2 and Garry lead in points with 91 (51 goals, 40 assists). Closely following her was Lynch with 86 (53 goals, 33 assists) and Greenspan with 79 (46 goals, 33 assists). Moelis logged 800 minutes in goal and made 192 saves. “Stats not recorded include countless ground ball picks ups, our domination of draw control and an exorbitant amount of possession changes as a result of Meg Savage's amazing checks,” said Summers, praising her sublime leaders, Savage and O'Neil.

Lengsfield, Savage, Lynch and Garry all received Fairchester Athletic Association All League honors, and McClintock was named All League Honorable Mention.

With 2007 a rousing success, Rye Country Day looks to 2008 where the belief is that the team will pick up right where they left off with talents like Garry, Moelis and McClintock leading the way.

“I think Garry and Moelis will be great captains, and we're a very deep team,” said McClintock. “We have a lot of players who are very talented and will be able to assume bigger roles on the team. We have a great senior class to-be, a great junior class to-be, and a junior varsity team that should feed us talented players.”