PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Lee girls lacrosse team took control of the game early and did not look back in an 18-5 win over Pittsfield on Friday afternoon.
The Wildcats started the game by scoring four goals within the first three-and-a-half minutes of play. By the five-minute mark in the first period, Lee's lead had grown to 10-0.
Wildcats coach Dave Galisa said starting the game out well has been a point of emphasis to start the season. During a timeout early in the game, Galisa told the team to act as if the score was 0-0.
"We've been focusing a lot on ball movement and staying spread out and just starting right out of the gates on fire," he said. "That's just kind of how our mentality has been so far. It was nice today to get every player on the field today. That was one of our goals."
Pittsfield was held scoreless in the first period after facing significant defensive pressure from the Wildcats. Galisa said improving the team's defense has been something he and the team have focused on early.
"We have been working a lot on our defense and just trying to minimize errors in the middle of the field. So far, it's been working out for us," he said.
Pittsfield improved its offensive output after halftime and scored its first goal just two minutes into the second half. The Generals scored five goals in the second half, including three from Riley Steinman, but Lee managed to respond to each opposing goal with a goal of its own, scoring seven in the last 25 minutes.
Pittsfield scored its last goal with just seconds left in the game, bringing the final score to 18-5. Galisa said he is looking forward to playing Pittsfield again this season. The two teams will play each other again in Lee on April 29.
"PHS has a good squad this year. We're happy that we get to play them twice," he said.
Lee starts its season out with a 2-0 record after the win and will play on the road against Amherst on Tuesday. With the loss, Pittsfield begins its season 0-1 and will play against Hampshire at home on Tuesday.
