Hanover's Samantha Burke passes on chance for 100th career point so freshman can score

MARSHFIELD – Part of being the ultimate team captain is making sure everyone else feels part of the ultimate goal.

And that’s exactly what Hanover High senior attack Samantha Burke has been doing this entire lacrosse season, especially in the Hawks' 14-5 win over Marshfield in Thursday's regular-season finale.

Burke, who had two goals, was sitting at 98 career points. Instead of going for the 100-point milestone as her teammates implored her to score, she allowed freshman Kayden Smith to net the final goal. Burke heads into the playoffs with 99 career points.

“Towards the end, I know it was a lot of pressure,” Hanover coach Marissa Nimeskern said. “All the girls were like, ‘Go to Sam! Go to Sam!’ but she was so selfless. She could’ve went out there and scored the goals she needs to score but she had one assist and two goals. She didn’t look to get that (third one)."'

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“She’s been a solid player for us," Nimeskern added. "She’s usually behind the net and is known for her assists."

Burke is a three-sport athlete (field hockey and ice hockey) and knows what it takes to win games – selflessness. Just the week before, the Hawks were on a four-game losing streak, so the bounce-back of consecutive wins to conclude the regular season with a 10-6 record was huge.

When asked a question about personal goals or milestones, she was quick to mention the whole team.

“(It) feels amazing," Burke said of the win. "I think we really came together. We'd been down for a couple of games, but we really picked it up and I’m proud of the team."

Eight different Hawks scored, and in a final game heading toward the playoffs it was good for morale. Burke wasn’t too hyped about the hunt for her 100th career point. She just wanted to make sure her teammates got to shine.

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“It’s great, especially going forward,” Burke said of spreading the scoring wealth. “We want to get as many people (to score) as possible. Especially for the seniors on the bench, it’s our last season, so it’s great seeing them get playing time, too.”

Burke will be heading to Boston College next year as a student, but she has one more goal on her agenda, and that’s “to win it all.” And as the one who’s typically dishing out assists, she’s going to rely heavily on her juniors.

“I think our (midfielders) have really been stepping up,” said Burke. "Eva (Kelliher) (one goal), Ayla (McDermod) (three goals), and Sophie Schiller. And they have them (coming back) next year, so hopefully (Hanover can) go far next year, too.”

For Marshfield, senior captain Maija Kastrud finished with four goals and freshman Julia O’Brien had one. It was a win-or-go-home situation for the Rams (8-10), who needed a victory to secure a .500 record and a Division 1 playoff berth.

The first meeting between the teams was a tight one, with Hanover prevailing, 8-7, at home on April 24. This time, Hanover took control early with a 6-0 lead and never looked back. Other Hawks to score were Tia MacVarish, sophomore Hannah Geary (three), and Emma Dolan (two).

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“Coming in today we were like, ‘They’re going to look to beat us. We've got to come out strong,'" said Nimeskern. “Going into the playoffs, we just have to have a good rhythm with our team and come out with a win.”

Nimeskern is in her second season as coach. Last spring, the Hawks overcame the graduation of 13 seniors to finish 10-8, losing to Foxboro in the Division 3 Round of 16. Hanover came into Thursday's game at No. 7 in the latest Division 3 power rankings.

To get to this point took a collective effort from the coaches down to the players. And to have a senior captain who's willing to give up a big milestone for the team makes it that much better.

“A lot of hard work," Burke said when asked what it took to get to this point. "We had to fill in some spots from last year. We had a few good seniors, but we really pulled it together. I’m proud of the team.”

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Hanover girls lacrosse tops Marshfield to end Rams' playoff hopes