The Masuk High girls lacrosse team saw its successful season come to an end in a hard-fought 16-9 loss to Guilford at Cheshire High, a neutral site, in the Class M State Tournament semifinals Tuesday night.
Masuk, who was seeded fifth, kept the score close throughout most of the first half until top-seed Guilford’s 4-1 lead jumped to 9-2 in the span of four minutes.
The second half saw the Panthers’ Juliana Pagano lead a late come back, but the early Guilford advantage could not be closed. Pagano ended up with five goals, giving her 75 on the season, second on the team behind Amelia Logan’s 87.
The Grizzlies limited Masuk’s offense all night, until defender Lauren Henry’s coast-to-coast goal sparked the Panthers. Samantha Henry added two goals and Caroline Raymond also hit the back of the net.
Guilford will take on No. 15 St. Joes in the championship game, Saturday, at Sacred Heart University, starting at noon.
Masuk’s seven seniors will leave big holes in the starting lineup for 2023. Alexis Sullivan, Jess Minch, Caroline Raymond, Juliana Pagano, Lauren Henry, Mary Henry and Gabriella Crispino will be graduating from Coach Rob Troesser’s team.
