It’s that time of year again. Warmer weather, more daylight, and best of all, Westfield girls lacrosse. In their upcoming 2023 season, the Blue Devils hope to make history that Westfield will remember forever.
Led by senior co-captains Ella McLane and Lily Dickerson, the Blue Devils have been preparing for months, participating in a competitive winter league and conditioning themselves in the weight room.
“All my teammates are so talented and bring a different aspect to the game,” Dickerson said, emphasizing the team’s value. “It is so fun to watch as we learn from each other and grow together throughout the season.”
The Blue Devils ended last season with an 8-11 record, defeating some of New Jersey’s most elite lacrosse programs. Despite a few heartbreaking losses, Westfield has used this as motivation to prepare itself for what’s to come this season and be the best it can be.
“The biggest motivation for this season is winning the sectional championship,” McLane said. “We were the underdogs my sophomore year and we won the sectional chip so I’m hoping for the same outcome.”
Westfield doesn’t have an easy road to a state championship this year as it has one of the most difficult schedules in all of New Jersey girls lacrosse. The Blue Devils start their season off with Immaculate Heart, whom they defeated in a close 9-8 victory last season, followed by Madison and then Mendham, whom they narrowly defeated as well, 13-12.
“We play a very tough schedule and we prove every year that we are capable of competing with the best teams in the state,” said Dickerson.
The Blue Devils are coming out with a different look as they lost six major seniors who contributed to much of the Blue Devils’ success last year including University of California, Berkeley, commit Avery Hoeft. Head coach Abby Cohn has been preparing for this conflict, filling these spots with only the best, most determined Blue Devils to keep the program at its best.
This upcoming season is important for the Blue Devils. The roster is filled with some of the program’s most successful players such as junior Florida commit Sofia Della Rocco, Quinnipiac commit Dickerson, McLane and sophomore Abigail Mokrzycki. After winning the sectional championship in the 2020-2021 season, Westfield’s senior class has dug in deep, hoping to seize its last opportunity to be a high school lacrosse champion.
“This season is the most important to me because this is my last time ever playing for Westfield,” McLane said. “Also, I will be the last one to go through Westfield in my entire family which makes it even more special.”
Dickerson completely agrees. “This season is important to me because as a senior I want to be a good leader and show the underclassman the capability of our team,” said Dickerson. “My previous years I had great leaders to look up to so I want to try to provide the same for the underclassmen.”
With all of Westfield behind them, the girls are more ready than ever to take advantage of their talent and shock the state.
“We are hungry,” Dickerson said. “The culture and bond we have between us on our team is so amazing.”
And only one culture marks Blue Devil territory: success.
