MONROE, CT — The loss of six seniors from last year’s Class L State Championship-winning girls lacrosse team from Masuk High has not slowed the Panthers.
As a matter of fact: “We’re ahead of where we thought we’d be,” Masuk Coach Rob Troesser said.
Players have stepped up and the Panthers won eight of their first nine games before suffering a hard-fought 11-10 setback to visiting Staples of Westport on Friday. Masuk, unbeaten in South-West Conference play, has only suffered one other defeat, falling 10-5 to Simsbury.
Most of these victories have not been close, including an 18-4 win over Bunnell-Stratford on Tuesday.
Games such as the Staples matchup are what help prepare the Panthers for postseason runs. Staples is a tough Class LL team out of the FCIAC.
Masuk built an 8-5 lead and led 8-7 at the half. The visiting Wreckers battled back for a 9-8 advantage in the third quarter. Charlotte Pinto was set up by Eve Fernandez to tie the score. Both goalies came up with big stops; Masuk’s Madison Farrer helped keep it close and it was 10-9 Wreckers going to the fourth.
Staples went ahead 11-9. Bailey Bajda found Emma Troesser for a net-finder with 5:41 left to close the gap. Masuk had possession and chances to tie, but were denied. Staples got control and held the ball for the final three-plus minutes.
Pinto finished with four goals and an assist to go along with four ground balls; Bajda scored three times; Fernandez added a goal; and Troesser had three ground balls.
The Panthers have other tough nonconference tests ahead with Fairfield Ludlowe and Amity of Woodbridge on the slate.
The biggest improvement Troesser would like to see is in the turnover category. Losing possession has hurt his team against tough foes, he noted. But, all in all, the Masuk coach likes what he’s seen as the Panthers look to challenge for a conference crown and try to repeat as state champs.
“They’re definitely keeping pace with the other teams in the conference that are top seeds, like Newtown and New Fairfield,” Troesser said.
Masuk beat Newtown and has a big home game with New Fairfield Saturday, May 10, at 6:45 p.m. Before that are a Tuesday home game with Immaculate of Danbury at 6:45 p.m. and a Thursday visit to Joel Barlow of Redding at 5:30 p.m.
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