North Sutton, n.h.
The bad news? Lebanon is blown out by a foe that will reach the NHIAA Division III finals. Standout defender Anna Wolke, recently announced as a second-team all-state honoree, is out of town with her family. Her absence is evident in a 19-7 loss that leaves the visitors with a 5-9 record, the worst of coach Sara Ecker’s 23-year career.
Earlier in the afternoon, the team bus pulls away from the Lebanon High parking lot with Ecker and junior varsity coach Sarah Cram unsure if they’ve got enough JV players for a 25-minute scrimmage scheduled to precede the varsity contest. Several players haven’t shown up, but there was no school on this Friday and the bus is making a pickup stop in Grantham.
Cram texts absent players on her smartphone between snippets of conversation in which she and Ecker calculate which varsity players could be thrust into JV action if needed. The question is answered at the Grantham park-and-ride when a couple of JV players get on board with some varsity counterparts.
Still, Ecker and Cram are disappointed. Rounding up enough JV competitors has been a struggle all season because there are barely enough players for two teams, but the girls often don’t communicate with them.
“They have to learn that this is not all right,” Ecker says. “When you don’t show up without telling us, it impacts more than just yourself. We have coaches and teammates who may not get a game in because of your decision. And schools have to pay the referees once they get there, even if the game suddenly can’t be played.”
The situation receives another dose of negative energy between contests. Two swing players who are also varsity reserves are miffed when Cram instructs them to remain on the sideline for the varsity game. One responds that they’ve barely played at that level all season, and she and Cram have a tense exchange.
When the Raiders stand hand-in-hand for the national anthem, the two players share a grip with each other at the back of the line. Goaltender Emma Thibodeau reaches back for a hand, wiggling her fingers and silently imploring her to join the team, but gets no response.
“This year has required so little lacrosse instruction and so much on life skills,” says Cram, a former standout Lebanon player during the early 2000s.
It doesn’t help that Kearsarge leaves its starters in until late in the game. Leslie Angus, the best player Lebanon has faced this season, produces nine goals and notches the last of her three assists with two minutes remaining. Ecker is almost disbelieving.
“Do you remember that these are teenage girls and it’s not about you?” she says in the direction of the opposing bench after Angus’ final assist.
Kearsarge coach Hilary Grimes says after the contest that winning by 12 goals is not running up the score and that she wanted to retain a 10-goal lead so the clock would continue to run, per NHIAA rules. The 19 tallies are the most Lebanon has allowed all season, during which it surrendered 11 or more goals nine times, a ugly statistic for a program long known for its defense.
“Ladies, I’m proud of you, and I’ve been honored to coach you,” Ecker says after the game. “Everyone asks me when I’m going to give up coaching. It would be a lot easier to leave if I’d had bad experiences, but I’ve had such great teams, and you’re one of those.”
The bus ride home is short but cheerful and features one last singalong. Next week will bring a season-ending dinner at player Libby Stone’s house and the announcement of sophomore Katie Berthasavage as the team’s most valuable player, seniors Baleigh Clark and Hannah Bunten as the most improved players and senior Lily Hier and sophomore Clara Cole as recipients of sportsmanship awards.
For now, the bus slows in front of Lebanon High’s front doors. Izzy Peress continues to sing, even as the team files off for the last time. It’s that Miley Cyrus tune, the one about getting up when you fall. Just like the Raiders have done all season.
Ain’t about how fast I get there
Ain’t about what’s waiting on the other side
It’s the climb
Tris Wykes can be reached at twykes@vnews.com or 603-727-3227.