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Avery Cullinan and Emily Vartebedian scored two goals each for Newburyport. Chloe Hundertmark and Haley Johnson added one each. Freshman Lily Galzerano had eight saves. Newburyport trailed 13-1 at halftime.

The Manchester Essex girls lacrosse team was overmatched yesterday against Division 1 Masconomet, but the Hornets will be better off for it.

At least that's what head coach Sarah Holch believes after seeing her Hornets, a Division 2 state tournament team last year, fall to Masco, 22-6, in the season opener for both teams. Due to a scheduling change in the Cape Ann League, Manchester Essex saw Masconomet for the first time ever.

Katelyn Caro knew something was wrong.

"During one of our playoff games my freshman season I collided with another player while on defense," she said. "I still had my hands on my stick, so I landed really hard on my shoulder. But I continued to play, and played the following game, which probably wasn't smart."

2007 record: 0-20, did not make tourney

Returning starters (10): Erin Foley, Jr., attack; Lindsay Hirschfeld, Jr., attack; Moire O'Mullane, Sr., attack; Theresa Whittredge, Sr., attack; Molly Moran, Sr., midfield; Kaleigh Hanes, Jr., midfield; Nicole Dandurant, Sr., midfield, Cierra Carstensen, Jr., defense; Bailey Strangman, Sr., defense; Alyssa Mahoney, Sr., defense

2007 record: First-year varsity program

Newcomers: Lauren Aleksa, Jr., defense; Michelle Bibeau, Jr., defense; Meredith Bilodeau, Jr., midfield; Ellen Colman Soph., defense/midfield; Adelle Dagher, Jr., attack; Emily Gaudiano, Jr., attack; Allison Hillner, Soph., attack; Gina Iannazzi, Soph., attack; Courtney Kellogg, Soph., defense/attack; Regina LaRose, Jr., attack; Sarah Lattrell, Sr., defense/attack; Courtney O'Neil, Frosh., attack; Kelsey Richards, Sr., attack; Bianca Sacco, Soph., defense; Nancy Scandura, Soph., defense, Liz Steele, Soph., goalie.

2007 record: 21-2, lost Division 1 North semifinals

Returning starters (8): Ilana Cohen, Sr., midfield; Kelly Driscoll, Sr., midfield; Jordy Shoemaker, Sr., midfielder; Katelyn Caro, Sr., attack; Jess Forster, Sr., attack; Abby Cook, Jr., goalie; Catherine Gross, Jr., midfielder; Heather Sullivan, Jr., attack

For a long time it looked like the Masconomet Regional girls lacrosse team was going to kick off its season with loss. Then, after a difficult first half, the Chieftains got things together.

Heather Fraser scored the game-winner with about two minutes to play as Masco erased an early deficit for an opening day 8-7 win over Triton.

2007 record: 0-13, didn't make state tourney

Returning starters (8): Alessandra LeFort, Jr., attack; Christine O'Leary, Sr., attack; Sarah Paladino, Soph., defense; Ali Pepe, Jr., defense; Marie Pescatore, Sr., midfield; Becca Popp, Jr., attack; Sarah Schipelliti, Sr., attack; Kiara Zani, Soph., goalie

2007 record: 17-4. lost Division 2 North semifinals

Returning starters (11): Katie Boringa, Sr., defense; Morgan Healey, Sr., midfield; Brittany Topham, Sr., attack; Britney Chiles, Sr., defense; Caroline Barclay, Jr., midfield; Briana Connolly, Jr., attack; Kate Kleinendorst, Jr., defense; Jenn Pino, Jr., midfield; Stephanie Taylor, Jr., goalie; Emily Vento, Jr., attack; Amanda Wescott, Jr., defense

Decked out in leg warmers and sweatshirts, 36 girls jogged around the Rupert A. Nock Middle School grounds under fading gray skies.

Battling runny noses and the chilled, uneasy, early-spring air, the group | a mixture of varsity and junior varsity Newburyport girls lacrosse players | laughed and urged one another on while cold mud flipped up from their once-new cleats.