The Joel Barlow Falcons girls varsity lacrosse team fell short of the state championship last season by one goal against Guilford High School, but that hasn’t stopped them from having a successful 2022 season. As they head into the final games of the regular season, the Falcons are poised to compete in the SWC playoffs and to make another run in the state tournament.
“We have a team saying every year, this year it is ‘lock in.’ When we step on the field we are all lacrosse and only lacrosse,” said Olivia Rodrigues, one of the team’s four captains.
The team has 7 wins and 6 losses through its first 13 games and several of those losses have been in competitive one-goal games. They have also notched several dominant wins in which they outscored five teams by a total of 79-17. Video highlights of several of these games are available on the MaxPreps website.
Meagan Florkowski, another team captain, said the team’s winning record is about chemistry. “Like any team, our goal is to win a lot of games. However, this season, I think our goal was to build the chemistry we had last season,” she said.
Florkowski and Rodrigues, and the other team captains, Ashley Young, and Ashley Starrett, said they were honored to be named captains and love being leaders on the team so they can help their teammates achieve something great.
Thanks to the mentorship and example of coach Steve Coppock, the girls said the Falcons are teammates, but they are also family. They make sure they take the younger girls under their wing and emphasize the level of determination and dedication it takes to be a Barlow Falcon.
“One of our goals this year that differs from last year is to pull the younger girls into our family and show them what Barlow lacrosse is–to really raise the energy in the environment,” said Young.
Although they hope to go deep in the state tournament again this year, their ultimate goal is to continue to play the best lacrosse they can as a team every time they take the field.
The team’s philosophy is also reflected in its fundraising efforts on behalf of Operation Smile, which helps children with a cleft condition secure safe, effective and timely surgery and comprehensive care around the globe. You can donate online at www.operationsmile.org or enjoy a baked good at the home game on Wednesday, May 11 at 7 p.m. against Branford (JV game starts at 5:30). All baked good proceeds will go to Operation Smile and donations will also be taken at the gate.
