By Christopher Tremblay, Staff Sports Writer

Over the last two seasons, the Ashland girls lacrosse team has gone 14-6 in the regular season and has earned a six seed in the Division 3 State Tournament each time. Two years ago, the Clockers were able to take out Archbishop Williams and Nauset regional before losing to Hanover in the round of eight. Last season, after repeating the 14-6 record, Ashland took out Pembroke before losing to Ursuline Academy 11-7 in the Round of sixteen. 

This spring, if the Clockers were able to post another 14-6 regular season record, Coach Katie Blasi probably wouldn’t really mind. However, the coach would definitely want her girls to go beyond the round of eight and into the Final 4 if not the State Championship. While it may be a goal, it may be a little tougher as Ashland has been bumped up from Division 3 to Division 2 this year. 

“The goal is always to continue to do better and to get further than the Round of eight, where we’ve been stuck for some years, is definitely where we want to be,” Blasi said. “It may be a little tougher this year moving up into Division 2 and only having a 16-player team. It’s going to be a smaller team, but one of quality where anyone can play on the field at any time.”

Leading the Clockers throughout the season and hopefully deep into the postseason will be junior goalie Alannah Duffy, who has been starting for Ashland since her freshman year. According to Blasi, Duffy has been putting in a lot of work during the off-season, and her save percentage has gotten better with each year. 

“I am continually being told by opposing coaches how strong she is,” the Clocker Coach said. “The Tri-Valley League is one of the toughest girls lacrosse leagues in the state, and we begin the season with some really tough games; thank god we have Alannah back there.”

Blasi is hoping that her third-year goalie can continue to do what she has done over the past two seasons and maybe even a little more. Now, as a captain, Duffy has begun to be more of a vocal leader while manning the ship in the defensive end of the field, especially having a bunch of young starters on the defensive end in front of her.

Three other athletes that Blasi will primarily be looking to are Lili Vitti, a senior attack; Ashley Forster, a senior midfielder; and Maggie Magennis, a junior midfielder who will be playing attack this spring. Magennis, who had an ACL tear, has been cleared to play and may take a few games to get back up to speed and be able to contribute to the team. Forster is another Clocker who will be moving positions on the field this year. In the past, she has been a force of defense, but the team is in need of her to play in the midfield. Blasi is hoping that the senior can get the younger girls up to speed sooner rather than later so that she can move her back to her regular position, but for now, she is looking for her to make an impact on the attack side of the field.

Although only two seniors are starting alongside five freshmen, the team is making progress as the younger athletes begin to pick up the culture Blasi anticipates creating within the program. So far, so good as the team is all beginning to grow together while becoming a part of the coach's culture rather quickly.

Offensively, Ashland's going to be led by Vitti and Magennis on the scoring front. Neither girl is afraid to take the ball one-on-one toward the net or dish it off to set someone else up to score. In addition to the two having strong offensive skills, Blasi will also have Forster in the mix on offense.

Thus far through the early part of the season, Blasi has been impressed with the play of junior Payten Tripp. The Clocker midfielder has not only great stick skills but is fast as well. Although she does more feeding to her open teammates than scoring, her play has been balanced, with three goals and four assists, and the coach expects the junior to continue to expand on both opportunities. 

Once in the State Tournament this season, Ashland would very much like to move as deep into the playoffs as they can. Currently, the team is learning how each other plays the game and working hard to find that open individual.

“We want to create a fast pace to open up the game,” Blasi said. “Once we get our attack rhythm down and begin playing good fundamental lacrosse, we’ll be fine and looking toward making it into the State Tournament.”