Ellie Wall and Duxbury High girls lacrosse start state-title run with decisive win
DUXBURY − Duxbury’s Ellie Wall will be reconnecting with her sister Alex next year at Drexel University on the women's lacrosse team.
But for now, she's focused on a goal with a different sisterhood. The senior is trying to end her high school lacrosse career with a state title with her Duxbury Dragon teammates. On Tuesday, No. 3 Duxbury took another step toward that goal with a 16-8 win over No. 30 Danvers in a Division 2 Round of 32 win.
“I’m just really excited to get going, especially after that first win,” said Wall after scoring four goals in Tuesday's win. “I think we’re going to use that momentum into our next. Hopefully, we’re going to keep rolling all the way to the state championship.”
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An unselfish scorer
Wall scored her 100th career goal against Plymouth South earlier in the spring. The midfielder said she’s now around 130 goals for her career. When the accomplishment was brought up to her, Wall deflected.
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“That is her to a T,” said Duxbury coach Colby Bartro. "She had her 100th goal in the first few games of the season. She’s one of the most humble players you’ll come across but deserves every ounce of accolades that comes her way. She doesn’t care about her own points.”
Long Wall of collegiate lax players
The high level of play from the Drexel commit and senior captain comes as no surprise when finding out the age she began playing. Throw in her family history around the sport, and you have a girl that was destined to be a standout in the sport.
“I guess I put a stick in my hand around 3, but I guess I really started to play around 5-ish so very young,” said Wall. “My mom (Catherine) played in college (at James Madison), my sister plays in Drexel right now, so I’ll get one year with her.”
Alex Wall is coming off her most productive collegiate season. The junior started 18 games and scored 24 points, both career highs, as Drexel (also known as the Dragons) finished 12-6.
Ellie Wall is part of a defensive wall that teams struggle to score against. The Dragons haven't allowed an opponent to reach double-digit goals in nearly a month. Div. 3 contender Norwell defeated Duxbury, 12-9, on May 12. A big part of that defense is goaltender Maggie Greenwood, who finished with nine saves against Danvers.
“Mad Dog, she always brings her best, she’s the star of our defensive unit,” said Ellie Wall. “She comes up with the great plays, she comes with up with the huge saves, and she just keeps our energy up.”
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Other Dragons to score were Sydney Ecker (five goals), Maggie Slimbaugh (three), Emma Conley (two) and Lydia Kondry (two).
Young Dragons proving themselves
Like Greenwood and Slimbaugh, the Dragons have a number of young, talented girls who have stepped up this season. They’re being leaned on to make impacts on both sides of the field.
“Maggie Slimbaugh stepped up today on the draw,” said Ellie Wall. “She came up with great draw control. Especially her little sister Addie, she came up big at the end. Schuyler Cerow is one of our best defenders. She always keeps her stick up, gets her stops on D.”
Ecker is committed to play at Dickinson and Greenwood just won a national tournament with her club team over the weekend. With a young core that’s hungry and ready to work, Bartro is pleased with her roster.
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“It’s great to have so many players that can do so many things this year,” said Bartro. “I think that’s what makes this team special this year.”
The Dragons will play No. 19 Bedford in the Round of 16 at 4 p.m. Thursday.
“I think we’re just excited to get going,” said Ellie Wall. “Obviously we’ve had our motto: It takes one, play one game and from here on out every game we’re going to have to play like it’s our last.”
This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Duxbury High girls lacrosse defeats Danvers in MIAA state tournament
