Scarlet Hawks look to build on 2022 successBy Chris Villani

Sports Writer

The Milford High girls’ lacrosse team put together a strong 2022 campaign and head coach Kacey Young is hoping the Scarlet Hawks can enjoy even more success this spring.

“We are trying to build off last year and not let anything come easy for the other team,” Young said. “We don’t want to settle. We want to keep working hard and see where that takes us.”

Young is also hoping to be able to use the majority of her players on the field this year. But the Scarlet Hawks are led by a trio of seniors in key spots. Emily Croteau recently scored her 100th career point. Fellow senior captain Carly Haley was nearing that milestone as well with more than half the season still ahead.

 The Milford girls’ lacrosse captains Emily Croteau, Caitlyn Bangert, and Carly Haley. Courtesy photo

In goal, Caitlyn Bangert has played well enough to earn a nomination for Hockomock League player of the week.

“All three of them have been great,” Young said. “Emily was our second leading scorer last year and she is all over the place. Ground balls, interceptions, defense, she is every coach’s dream and just an all around huge asset for our program.”

Haley is the second leading scorer this year and has been a big help on the draw for the Scarlet Hawks. While she is getting more chances to score, her tenacity is unchanged from a season ago.

“She was a fighter last year and she is a fighter this year,” Young said.

Bangert has battled against some of the top teams in the league but still managed standout performances, including against North Attleboro.

“She was on fire,” Young said. “She definitely helped us get that win.”

Senior Jordan Douglas is also among the team’s leading scorers and TJ Downing, a sophomore, is consistently finding the back of the net on offense.

“We have a lot of players who can score,” Young said.

The offensive depth is one of the reasons why she is optimistic about this season.

“I want us to improve each season and this year we have a lot of people who can rotate into different positions. That is going to help us,” Young said. “We have what it takes to get to the tournament. We just have to show it on the field and on the scoreboard.”