The Middlesex-Thayer rivalry is one of the biggest among the girls' ISL teams. Both teams entered the game with perfect records and the intensity and focus was clear as the teams warmed up on the Thayer turf.
Middlesex struck first in the fourth minute after a solid possession, and Thayer answered two minutes later. The score remained at 1-1 for the next seven minutes as both teams gained possession and then turned it over due to solid goaltending from both teams and terrific defensive plays by the Zebras. The young Middlesex defense held strong, and despite the fact that they were outmatched in size, they compensated with heart and grit and stopped many Tiger pushes to goal. Thayer finally found the back of the net with 12 minutes remaining, but Hads '12 answered with two outstanding goals off solid ball movement. The Tiger's top shooter tied the game again one minute later, but the Zebras refused to finish the half without another possession. "Tink" '13 finished a play after outstanding stickwork bringing her to the free position line with 35 seconds remaining, and Julia '12 set up a beautiful play after a key Middlesex draw control, closing the half at 5-3 in our favor.
In the second half, Thayer patiently waited for optimal scoring opportunities and chipped away at the score, eventually taking a 6-5 lead with 13:07 remaining in the game. Middlesex scored off another Julia '12/Hads '12 combination to tie the score at 6 with 11:30. The game remained tied until Thayer went on a run three minutes later, taking a three goal lead with 4 minutes remaining. Refusing to give up, Middlesex adjusted after a time out and took the field ready to come back. With 1:49 remaining in the game, Tink '13 brought the gap to two with an outstanding one-v-one. She landed face first in the turf after a collision in front, but she jumped back up to the draw. After another possession gain by the Zebras and a man-up opportunity following a Thayer yellow card, "Hads" '12 found "Kat" '13 open in front and she buried the shot to bring the score to 9-8. Thayer was able to win possession and despite several knock-downs and solid double teams by "Weena" '14 and "Kat" '13, Thayer was able to let the clock run out for the win.
Overall, it was an exciting high school lacrosse game and while Middlesex fell short of the win, they played unselfishly as a team and the new young defense made a name for themselves, stopping several outstanding Thayer attackers. "Beeko" '14 earned 11 saves on the day.
