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Tears of joy: Hackley wins girls lax crown
Photo by Damion Reid
With a comfortable lead entering the final minute of regulation, the NYSAISAA title was a forgone conclusion for the Hackley girls lacrosse team.
Star attack Trish Gorman glanced at the scoreboard, saw the time winding down and that’s when the reality and magnitude of the situation hit her hard.
Tears began flowing and they didn’t stop until well after Hackley clinched a 13-6 victory over Holy Child, well after the award ceremony and well after the team pictures Wednesday evening at Manhattanville College.
“I’m so happy that we could come away with a win in this game, but at the same time I’m so grateful for everything that I’ve had with the team for these past four years,” Gorman said. “It’s sad to see it’s the last game, but I cherish every moment of it.”
The William & Mary-bound senior had three goals in her final high school game, helping the Hornets clinch their first NYSAISAA championship since back-to-back crowns in 2008-09.
“It’s incredible,” Gorman said. “I’m just so happy that this team, which has come so far has something concrete to show for what a great season we’ve had and how close we are.”
Gorman and her twin sister Kelly were part of that last Hackley championship squad as freshmen. On Wednesday, they’re remarkable careers came full circle.
“We have great coaches, a great group of girls so we know it’s always in reach,” Kelly Gorman said. “To finally get it after not getting it for two years is unbelievable. I’m so happy we’re going off on a high note like this.”
Hackley coach Jenny Leffler said the Gormans are the hardest workers on the team and their work ethic trickles down to the rest of the squad. Trish, who has more than 200 career goals, played her entire junior season with a torn ACL before eventually getting surgery last July. She repeated that this year after another knee injury during basketball season.
“She brings so much spirit, energy and passion,” sophomore Stef Frolo said. “She loves lacrosse. She lives and breathes it.”
When Trish needs inspiration, she just needs to look to her sister, who was born with arthrogyposis, a rare congenital condition that left her without muscles below her knees. The goalie had five surgeries when she was younger, but still has no movement in her feet.
“They demand a lot, they have high expectations for each other and that’s what’s so special about them,” Leffler said of Gorman sisters.
While the Gormans are part of a strong senior core, there is more to Hackley’s success. Frolo, a sophomore midfielder, had three goals, sophomore middie Laurel Cassidy scored twice, as did junior middie Dom Alpuche.
“Trish is certainly our leader, but at the same time, if you take her out of the game, there’s four or five other kids to step up,” Leffler said. “That’s really been our success all year.”
Charlotte Elcock led Holy Child (9-10) with four goals and the Gryphons pulled within 7-5 early in the second half. But Hackley (17-1) scored six consecutive goals to put the game away and start the waterworks for Trish Gorman.
“That is the heart that she has,” Leffler said. “You see it with what she’s overcome and what she’s played through.”
Contact Dylan Butler at dbutler3@cablevision.com
Follow him on Twitter: @Dylan_Butler
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