GRANBY — Game-winning goals late in regulation go with 200-point milestones.
Quite the journey for Kate Sarnacki and the Granby girls lacrosse team.
After a furious 10-9 comeback victory over Amherst on Thursday, the memories of a winless inaugural season were clearly distant.
“The first year was just a building year,” Sarnacki said. “It was my first year playing lacrosse. But we’ve made a name for ourselves. People watch out for us as a varsity lacrosse team.”
Sarnacki scored the game-winner against Amherst on an assist from Kaeleigh Croteau. A called play ended in a pictuesque give-and-go with less than 30 seconds left.
In a recent game against Northampton, Sarnacki went over 200 points for her career.
“I’ve always looked up to the people on banners,” Sarnacki said. “Now I am going to be one of them. I am going to start a banner for lacrosse so hopefully people can look up to me in the same way.”
Sarnacki’s 200th point came on an assist, a testament to her mentality as a player.
“Her career isn’t just her going to goal,” Granby coach Mackenzie Paolini said. “Her teammates help her make those points possible. She helps the team rise to the occasion.”
Sarnacki had five goals and three assists against Amherst in a game where the Rams (4-2) trailed 9-6 late.
To complete the comeback, winning draws became essential. Granby won the last three.
“The whole game came down to draws,” Paolini said. “To score, you need to have the ball.”
For Amherst (1-7), the combination of Meghan Sharick (four goals) and Malia MacDonald (three goals) gave Granby’s defense trouble the entire game – MacDonald with quickness with her feet and stick and Sharick with a dynamic spin move and pinpoint shooting.
Sharick hit the 100-goal milestone this season for the Hurricanes.
Sharick scored a goal with 10 seconds left in the half that gave the Hurricanes a 6-5 lead at halftime. Two goals by MacDonald gave the Hurricanes a 9-6 lead with 8 minutes, 32 second left in the game. But losing draws, turnovers and forcing offense led to Granby’s comeback.
In the first half, Amherst erased a 4-1 deficit.
“We were better with execution in the first half,” Amherst coach Carol Samuels said. “We had 22 turnovers, and that’s not a good day. We made bad decisions with the ball. We just needed to possess it.”
Savannah Robinson made seven saves for the Hurricanes, while Mya Fillion made nine for Granby.
Kaeleigh Croteau had two goals for Granby.
Emily Whitacre, Hailey O’Connor and Julia Frappier also scored for Granby.
Rachel Kawall and Laney Morse found the net for the Hurricanes.
