Season in Review: Briarcliff Girls Lacrosse

The Bears of  finished 12-6 and made it to the Class C quarterfinals,  18-9.

“I am OK with that because they [Pirates] went all the way and that was the farthest we have ever got,” Briarcliff Coach Erica Werney said. “To get that far and score nine goals against them was impressive for us.”

Werney, who has coached the Bears in all five years of their varsity existence, was happy she was able to have the opportunity to coach , who played attack.

Dumas finished her stellar career scoring more than 200 goals.

“She is dedicated more than anybody else we have ever had in the program,” Werney said. “She has the commitment and is educated about the sport.”

Senior Melissa Colton, who also played attack, went over 100 career goals this spring.

"She didn't start playing until her sophomore year, but her junior year we put her at home and all of her strengths fell into place,” Werney said.

One of the attributes Colton has is her quickness.

“She is very good at dodging,” Werney said. “She is a quick learner. She always asks questions. For her to be as good at the sport as she was after starting when she did just shows how good an athlete she was. She is a tremendous athlete.”

Senior Joanna Chalsen, who is a center-midfielder, played well both offensively and defensively.

“You could put her anywhere and she gave you her best,” Werney said.

While losing Dumas, Colton and Chalsen hurts, what helps the Bears is being able to bring someone back like freshman midfielder Camille Giacobis.

“She was really strong but she ended up getting hurt the last three weeks of the season,” Werney said. “It was a tough loss for us. “She was quick, she moved to the ball. She hustled more than most people on the field.”

With players like Giacobis returning, the Bears future is bright.

“I have seen nothing but improvement,” Werney said. “As long as we stay on the up and up with the commitment, we will be all right the next couple of years.”