BELCHERTOWN — A slow start to the second half made all the difference as the Belchertown girls lacrosse team lost to Chicopee Comp, 15-11, in the first round of the Central/West Division 2 Tournament, Tuesday.
The Orioles trailed 7-5 at halftime, but junior midfielder Hannah Mitus cut the deficit to one after the break. However, Chicopee Comp answered with four straight goals within the span of two minutes to pull away.
“We choked up in the second half by giving up those four consecutive goals,” Belchertown coach Amie Savakis said. “Our lack of hustle at the start of the second half ultimately made the difference in the end.”
Kayleigh Dion scored two unassisted goals within a minute of each other. Kathleen Brooks and Sydney Wietecha both followed with each of their own goals, extending the lead to 11-6 before Savakis called a timeout for the Orioles.
“As soon as we called the timeout they got their heads back in the game,” Savakis said. “Maybe I should have called the timeout sooner, but I’ll use it as a learning experience moving forward.”
Belchertown responded within the first minute after the timeout as junior midfielder Kate Wrona scored back-to-back goals, cutting Chicopee Comp’s lead to 11-8. Mitus added her second goal shortly after, pulling the Orioles with 11-9 with 13 minutes left to play.
The Orioles, however, never caught up to the Colts, who beat the Orioles at home for the second time this season. Belchertown beat the Colts in Chicopee during the regular season.
“We were really excited to play Chicopee Comp again,” Savakis said. “Both games (earlier in the regular season) were decided by a single goal, so we were pumped for this game.”
Sophomore midfielder Allison Bessette led the Orioles with four goals. Mitus (two goals, assist), Wrona (two goals) and Elise Pikul (goal, two assists) all had multiple points for Belchertown.
“It’s a huge heartfelt thank you to these seniors,” Savakis said. “We ripped up the expectations that everyone had for us this season. … Our team really pulled themselves together and did what nobody else thought they would do.”
The Orioles finish the season at 12-5. Chicopee Comp (15-6) will face No. 1 Bromfield (16-2) in the quarterfinals.