Decatur Girls Down Worcester 6-2

BERLIN- For the third straight year, Stephen Decatur's girls' varsity lacrosse team got the best of its cross-town rival Worcester Prep last week, beating the Mallards, 6-2, on Friday, but the contest was much closer than it has been in recent years.

Two years ago, the Decatur girls got their first-ever win against Worcester, beating the Mallards, 16-2 and won by the same score last year. This year, however, the annual grudge match was a defensive struggle that came down to goalie play.

Despite an early assault on the Mallards' goal, Decatur could not get anything by Worcester keeper Melanie Leiner early. However, the Seahawks adjusted and were able to get just enough shots past Leiner and the Worcester defense to come away with the narrow victory in a low-scoring game.

'I believe the key to the game was the goalies,' said Decatur Coach Bob Musitano. 'Worcester Prep's keeper was very good high and kept us from scoring. Once we figured that out, we shot low and to the off side and it seemed to work.'

Meanwhile, Decatur goalie Taylor Phillips was also outstanding, recording 12 saves on 14 shots. Olivia Turner and Alyssa Hardesty led the Seahawk offense with two goals each.