After coming back from a rebuilding year, the seniors on the WHS girls lacrosse team are ready for one last season, especially Tri-Captain Julia Desmond.

Desmond started lacrosse in third grade, with her dad as the head coach of her recreational team.

She said, “Having my dad as a coach growing up was great because he gave me a lot of insight on the sport. He definitely taught me a lot and pushed m

Desmond continued to play on her father’s team through the eighth grade. Then she transitioned to high school and tried out for the 2019 WHS girls lacrosse team. She played center midfield on JV her freshman year, which she says helped her develop a lot as a player. The 2020 spring sports season was canceled, so when March of 2021 came around, Desmond was eager to return.

Desmond adds that her two seasons of WHS lacrosse have been superb thus far: “Given that I only played two seasons because of the pandemic it has been a great experience. I enjoy playing with this group of girls because we have a tight-knit bond.”

The girls spent a majority of the 2021 season rebuilding their team which Desmond admits was difficult at times, but worth it. The team only had one win last year, which was on Westborough’s Senior Night against Groton-Dunstable, but Desmond notes that the team progressed a lot last year. She is looking forward to starting this year off stronger than last year.

In preparation for the 2022 season, Desmond spent a lot of time working on her endurance, running almost every day. She currently competes in half marathons and races, some of which she has taken first place in. She also helped lead a successful field hockey team in the fall. In the winter, she played for the WHS girls track team, competing in the 2 mile event. Now, she is ready to finish up her senior year with her last lacrosse season. This season she personally hopes to improve on her defensive slides.

Desmond says she is honored to be a role model for this team that has been led by so many talented athletes in the past.

She commented “I’ve been fortunate enough to have been surrounded by great captains my two seasons here, and I hope to be a great role model for the girls on this team.”

As for the future, Desmond will be attending Boston University in the fall to study education. She hopes to integrate lacrosse into her future, perhaps by coaching at the elementary school she ends up teaching at. For now Desmond wants to take in this season and live in the present.

The WHS Varsity girls lacrosse team opened their season on Tuesday, April 5 with a 12-11 overtime win against Wachusett. Their home opener is today, Thursday, April 7 at 5:30 p.m. against Bromfield.