The Friars are not mourners.
It’s been a long time since St. Mary’s girls lacrosse. Anthony did not leave the field with a victory – 51 games in almost four years, to be honest – but that changed dramatically in April against an equal behemoth, which the young women took seriously.
The No. 1 nationally ranked private school. 1 fell short 10-9 in overtime to America’s No. 1 public school, Darien, Conn., in a shocking and unfamiliar season at Long Island’s 33-sport college powerhouse.
“We definitely learn more from losing than winning,” Vanderbilt senior captain Sophia Novelli told The Post.
“We’ve done that in every practice, and we’re building on that and building on each other,” added the fourth-year varsity linebacker, who recently suffered his first loss since he was in ninth grade.
Although St. Anthony dropped to third in the USA Lacrosse national rankings, New York’s top team is still an obvious force to be reckoned with heading into the playoffs.
The Friars are chasing a sixth consecutive Catholic League title, which would be the 26th for the entire program.
As if they needed another six-peat incentive.
“It feels like an episode of ‘Hard Knocks’ here,” head coach Darcy Messina, who owns a 45-1 record, said of a team with a big chip on its shoulder.
Many of them had the eye of the tiger on their faces as we drove back from Connecticut that night. We practiced the next day, and I think that speaks for itself.
Get up again
Messina, who also coaches Team USA’s Under-15 team, is under no pressure and has no interest in sending his team to confession after a historic loss.
He has one positive message heading into the final two weeks of the season: It’s a blessing to be here.
“We continue to remind them how important this is … to really use the mind, body and spirit that St. Anthony has,” said Messina, a class of 2012 alum.
“These are good things, and these are happy things.”
The former Friar-turned-Florida Gator always brings the same energy he thrived on as a high schooler — even playing throwback tunes from his heyday, like Avicii’s “Levels,” to Gen Zers.
Messina conveyed the phrase “SA Way” by keeping things simple and forgiving. His athletes don’t need to be reminded to skip every practice and game, knowing that “you won’t be coming back these days.”
That excellent tradition is why captain and four-year-old varsity player Emma Speed took her talents to Wolf Hill Road in the first place.
“Everybody is always feeding the other, turning their back on the other,” said the forward, like his coach, who will play for the Gators next season.
Speed said the whole team has bought in to pick up the pieces, and finally, start another long winning streak.
“The loss lit a fire under us. We all wanted to be even better,” he added.
“It was probably a little bit of a reality check. It was a learning opportunity for us and it helped us grow. I feel like we’re pretty close to that.”
Say your prayers
The Friars are ready to go through hell and continue their quest for redemption before the playoffs.
They still have to face top-25 national teams – Cold Spring Harbor and Wilton, Conn., in addition to another state juggernaut, New Canaan, and other league play.
“We have targets on our backs,” said Messina, who is eager to play Darien again in 2027.
“I’m sure a lot of people had things to say about us losing.”
The game plan is to politely silence any armchair critics, then go for the Catholic League title and end on a high note.
“It would mean everything to me,” Novelli said.
“It’s an honor to wear this jersey, so I think it would be amazing to cap it off with a win.”
