CONCORD, Mass. - Middlesex raced out to a 7-1 lead and eventually knocked off visiting Groton, 10-4, in a key ISL girls lacrosse showdown on a rare Monday afternoon.

Middlesex came out energized and in control from the opening whistle. Groton struck first with a free position goal, but the Zebras answered immediately. Middlesex tallied four first-quarter goals from four different scorers, setting the tone with a balanced attack. 

The Middlesex offense continued to dominate in the second quarter, notching three consecutive goals and taking a 7-1 lead, but Groton answered with two late in the half to close the gap to 7-3.  

The second half showcased Middlesex's composure and control. The defense stiffened, allowing just one goal in the entire second half. Meanwhile, the offense continued to execute, and the hosts owned much of the possession throughout the final frame, adding three well-earned goals to seal the game. 

A highlight moment came when Annika McNulty (Houston, Texas) scored her first goal off a beautiful feed from Cate Glass (Brookline, Mass.), sparking a joyful celebration from her teammates on the field and sideline.The stat sheet reflected the team's depth and unselfish play, with eight different players contributing across goals and assists.

Sarah Smith (Acton, Mass.) earned both the "Ground Ball Monster" and "Caused Turnover Creature" honors with her gritty, intelligent play all over the field. In goal, Erin Larson (North Andover, Mass.) delivered a standout performance with an impressive 67% save percentage. 

Late in the game, younger defenders Rory Gurtler (Wellesley, Mass.), Tessa Rusconi (Concord, Mass.) and Emma Voute (Harvard, Mass.) stepped in for a key defensive stop, showcasing their growth and confidence while preserving the shutout in the fourth quarter.

A complete team effort, Middlesex demonstrated depth, discipline, and determination in a dominant performance from start to finish.

Middlesex's busy week continues with a road trip to Rivers on Wednesday at 3:30 PM.