Old Colony girls lacrosse ‘sticks together’ to start a new season
The Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School girls lacrosse players end a March 27 practice by raising their sticks in the air. Photos by Grace Roche
Kailey Peters, right, runs downfield with the ball. 
Ella Harkins races down the field. 
Lilly Sawiski, center, goes for the ball. 
Jocelyn Doherty, left, and Kailey Peters face off during practice. 
Annabella Putignano, a senior from Carver, looks to pass the ball. 
Olivia Pavao, left, and Katherine LeBeau practice while Coach Kathryn Cawley looks on. 
Ana Coelho, left, and Marisa Rodrigues run towards the net. 
Ana Coelho, right, keeps the ball away from the defense. 
Ana Coelho helps clean up equipment after practice. 
Players crowd together for a photo. 
Jadyn Antao guards the net. 
Players listen to Cawley as she wraps up practice. 
Maddie Caulkins raises her stick with her teammates.
The Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School girls lacrosse players end a March 27 practice by raising their sticks in the air. Photos by Grace Roche
Kailey Peters, right, runs downfield with the ball.
Ella Harkins races down the field.
Lilly Sawiski, center, goes for the ball.
Jocelyn Doherty, left, and Kailey Peters face off during practice.
Annabella Putignano, a senior from Carver, looks to pass the ball.
Olivia Pavao, left, and Katherine LeBeau practice while Coach Kathryn Cawley looks on.
Ana Coelho, left, and Marisa Rodrigues run towards the net.
Ana Coelho, right, keeps the ball away from the defense.
Ana Coelho helps clean up equipment after practice.
Players crowd together for a photo.
Jadyn Antao guards the net.
Players listen to Cawley as she wraps up practice.
Maddie Caulkins raises her stick with her teammates.
ROCHESTER —After a conference win last year, the girls lacrosse team at Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School have their eyes on the prize once again.
While the team is still preparing for its first game, players and Coach Kathryn Cawley said they want to see another winning season and are aiming for another appearance at the league championship.
Senior Maddie Caulkins, of Rochester, said she wants to see the team do well in the postseason while enjoying their time together, especially as she prepares to graduate in a few months.
“Last year we won conference, so I really want to do that again,” she said. “If we don't, that's okay. I just want it to be fun — it's our last year.”
Fellow seniors Annabella Putignano and Lilah White, both of Carver, echoed her desire to enjoy their last season on the team.
“I want this season to last as long as possible, especially because it's the last one,” White said.
Cawley, who is in her fourth year coaching and teaching at the school, said it took a lot of determination for last year’s team to make it to the league championship. Her goal for the team is to get there again, and make it to the vocational championship game and qualify for states.
Coaching has always come naturally to Cawley — she’s a health and physical education teacher — and has a passion for promoting girls’ sports.
She’s anticipating another great season, and not just because of her players’ skills.
“They're a fun bunch, but they work hard, so they like to have fun, but they know when it is time to turn on the focus,” Cawley said. “I have nothing but good things to say about them.”
The coach described her players as great people both inside the building and on the field, and kind to each other.
As seniors, Caulkins, Putignano and White said they strive to help their younger teammates and emulate the leadership of past players.
Putignano said this is especially true as an older sister.
“My sister is on the team, and she always talks about how she looks up to me and Maddie, and Lilah,” she said.
The trio said they always try to support their teammates, and the team is encouraging while also willing to learn from criticism.
Caulkins said even on her worst days she can count on her teammates to hype her up and make her feel better.
“When you're having a bad game, there will always be people from the bench running up to you being like, ‘No, you didn't play bad. You played amazing.’” White said. “All the people around you really make you feel better.”
