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The Friars are resilient in the face of setbacks.
For nearly four years, the St. Anthony’s girls lacrosse team has been an unstoppable force on the field, notching up 51 consecutive victories. However, this impressive streak came to an unexpected halt in April when they faced an equally formidable opponent, a defeat the team is handling with grace and determination.
The top-ranked private school in the nation narrowly lost 10-9 in overtime against Darien, Conn., the leading public school team in the country. This surprising outcome was a rare experience for the Long Island team, which boasts 33 players committed to college programs.
“We definitely learn a lot more from a loss than a win,” shared Sophia Novelli, a senior captain and future Vanderbilt player, with The Post.
“We’ve taken those lessons into every practice, building on them and supporting each other,” added Novelli, a four-year varsity defender, who experienced her first team defeat since starting high school.
Although St. Anthony’s slid to third in USA Lacrosse’s national rankings, the top New York squad remains an obvious force to be reckoned with heading into playoff time.
The Friars hunt for a sixth straight Catholic League title, which would be the program’s 26th overall.
As if they needed any more motivation for a six-peat.
“It’s felt like a ‘Hard Knocks’ episode here,” head coach Darcy Messina, who owns a 45-1 record, said of the team with a massive chip on its shoulders.
“Most of them had the eye of the tiger on their face when we were driving back from Connecticut that night. We had practice the next day, and I think that speaks for itself. We’re on to the next.”
Rise again
Messina, who also coaches Team USA’s under-15 team, isn’t downtrodden and has no interest in sending her bunch to confession after the historic loss.
She has one uplifting message heading into the last two weeks of the season: It’s a blessing to be here.
“We’re continuing to remind them how special this is … really implementing the mind, body and spirit that St Anthony’s has,” said Messina, a class of 2012 alum.
“This is the good stuff, and this is the fun stuff.”
The former Friar turned Florida Gator is always bringing the same energy she thrived on as a high schooler — even playing throwback tunes from her heyday, like the immaculate “Levels” by Avicii, to the Gen Zers.
Messina passed on the “S.A. Way” mantra by keeping things light and forgiving. Her athletes need no reminder to leave it all out there every practice and game, as they know “you’re not going to get these days back.”
That overwhelmingly positive culture is why fellow captain and four-year varsity player Emma Speed took her talents to Wolf Hill Road in the first place.
“Everyone’s always there for each other, having each other’s backs,” said the attacker, who, like her coach, will play for the Gators next season.
Speed said the entire team has bought in to pick up the pieces and, ultimately, kick-start another ludicrously long win streak.
“The loss sparked a fire underneath us. We all wanted to get better even more,” she added.
“It was almost a little reality check. It was a learning opportunity for us and helped us grow. I feel like we got closer just from that.”
Say your prayers
The Friars are ready to walk through hell and continue the redemption tour ahead of the playoffs.
They still must face teams fringing on the national top 25 — Cold Spring Harbor and Wilton, Conn., in addition to another Constitution State juggernaut, New Canaan, and more in-league play.
“We’ve got a target on our backs,” said Messina, who is eager to rematch Darien in 2027.
“I’m sure a lot of people had stuff to say about us losing as well.”
The game plan is to politely silence any armchair critics, then it’s off to crusade for a Catholic League title and end on the ultimate high note.
“It would mean everything to me,” Novelli said.
“It’s such a privilege to wear this jersey, so I think it’d be amazing to cap it off by winning out.”