No regrets: Back from a season-ending injury, ORR senior is making every game count

MATTAPOISETT — Kelly Quinlan is making up for lost time.

Through the first six games, the Old Rochester senior has scored a combined 23 goals, including four in the Bulldogs’ 12-3 win over rival Apponequet in South Coast Conference action Wednesday afternoon.

“I just want to make every game count,” Quinlan said. “Last year was so hard and I have regrets so I don’t want to have any regrets this season.”

Four games into her junior year, Quinlan was sidelined with a season-ending injury when she tore her ACL and meniscus in her right knee.

She had surgery in May of 2023 and was cleared to play last month.

SEASON PREVIEW: Breaking down the 2024 girls lacrosse season for SouthCoast's eight teams

“I wasn’t expecting it to be as hard as it was,” she said of being unable to play. “Watching them play I was so happy for them, but I missed playing so much. I really missed playing lacrosse with my team.

“I love lacrosse. It was so worth it. All I thought about was playing again.”

Despite her injury, Quinlan came to every practice and every game to support her team.

“It had to have killed her to not be a part of it, but she was a great teammate last year,” said Old Rochester head coach Scott Tavares, adding that Quinlan is a captain this year. “She’s been great at picking up her teammates when they make a mistake. Leading by example, she’s one of the hardest practice players you can have. To have your captain do that on a daily basis, it lifts the level of everybody’s effort level.”

Quinlan set the tone against previously undefeated Apponequet on Wednesday by scoring the game’s first three goals in the opening four minutes.

“It seemed like everything next to her, she caught,” Tavares said. “Even loose stuff on the ground, she came up with some huge ground balls. Even when it wasn’t working perfectly, she made it work. Once she catches it and she has a head of steam going to the net, she’s really difficult to stop. It was all working for her today.”

Quinlan said she’s still not where she was before her injury.

“I’m not there yet, but I’m getting there with each game,” she said. “To finally be back and we’re doing so well, I’m so happy. I think we’re going to be really good this year. I’m excited for the rest of the season.”

With the return of Quinlan, the Bulldogs feature a strong 1-2 punch with junior Caroline Brogioli, who surpassed 100 career goals earlier this season.

“We finished our season off last year on a high note and we’ve sort of picked up where we left off and Kelly has just added to our offensive ability,” Tavares said. “It adds another level of offense for us. She’s so big for us in the clearing game too. She just has a great stick. She catches everything. She’s great on ground balls.”

Next year, Quinlan plans to play Div. II lacrosse at East Stroudsburg University in Pennsylvania.

“I’m happy because I don’t want to stop playing yet,” Quinlan said.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Bulldogs jumped out to a 4-0 lead entering the second quarter and were up 9-0 at halftime.

ORR led by as much as 11 goals in the second half before Apponequet got on the scoreboard with three goals by sophomore Cece Levrault.

ORR junior goalie Tessa Winslow made 10 saves in the game.

“That’s a quality opponent,” Tavares said. “To only let them score three goals was a great effort. Tess was huge back there. Just a great team effort. Defensively we were locked in. I thought Tess had an amazing game in net.”

Apponequet head coach Cindy Cuthbertson agreed, “I thought their goalie played great, especially in the second half. We got some really great shots on her.”

ROUNDUP: SouthCoast's top performers, scores and highlights for April 15-21

WHAT IT MEANS

With the win, Old Rochester improved to 5-1. The Bulldogs visit Dartmouth on Monday afternoon. Apponequet, which fell to 2-1, hosts Bourne on Friday. … The rematch between the Bulldogs and Lakers will take place on May 3 at Apponequet. “I think this gives them something to work on for the next time we play them,” Cuthbertson said.

COACHES CORNER

“Offensively in the first half, we were cutting, we were feeding, we were catching everything and it seemed like everytime we shot we were scoring a goal. It was just a great team effort.” — Tavares

“I felt there were times when we forced passes because they do a really good job of clogging the middle. We were trying to set screens opposite the ball and get free over there. Give their defense credit.” — Cuthbertson

STATS

Brogioli had a game-high five goals and two assists for ORR while Quinlan had four goals and junior Lulu Johnson added three goals. Junior Cameron VanNess had three assists. … Levrault led Apponequet with three goals while juniors Addie Taylor and Abby Bradley each had an assist.

NOTES

Apponequet senior Celia Hiller missed her third game with a hip injury. “She hasn’t played yet this season,” Cuthbertson said. “Hopefully next week she’ll be back.”

This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: Quinlan helps Old Rochester beat Apponequet in girls lacrosse