Ava Connaughton’s breakout season ends in dramatic fashion
WESTWOOD, Mass. (BVM) — When Ava Connaughton headed into her first official high school lacrosse season, she wasn’t sure where exactly she would fit in. After missing out on her opening year due to the canceled spring season, Connaughton was ready to take advantage of whatever opportunity she was given.
“Coming into the season as a sophomore, I didn’t know the role I was going to be playing,” Connaughton said. “My sister Haley played behind the net as well. I knew that’s where I wanted to play but I didn’t know I was going to have an opportunity like this.”
The opportunity for Ava, as a focal point on offense, would lead to an impressive opening season as the Wolverines’ attacker racked up 43 goals and 115 assists in Westwood’s run for an undefeated season.
“The seniors played a huge role on this team,” Ava said. “They were great leaders whether they were captains or not. Playing with Ashley Mackin, the scoring machine, I think we played very well together because I knew that when I got the ball to her, I knew she would finish or make a great play out of it.”
After an 18-0 regular season showcased a Westwood squad that readily overmatched teams on the offensive end, the Wolverines prepared for a tougher set of competition. In the lead up to the state finals, Westwood faced its toughest competition, narrowly beating Wellesley in one of the team’s closest games during the Div. 1 South semifinal.
“The Wellesley game really showed our composure,” Ava said. “That was an extremely competitive game and I think that game really helped us along the way because it really showed us who we are as a team and we never backed down.”
Ava’s standout season would reach its peak as the Wolverines took on the Franklin Panthers in the state title game. After a quick 4-1 lead by Westwood, Franklin would tie the game at 5-5, evaporating the early lead. With time winding down in the final minute of the game, the sophomore attacker came up with her biggest goal of the season diving in front of the crease to score with 12.2 seconds.
Ava Connaughton. Incredible. @WW_Lax @WHSAthletics1 @HometownWeekly https://t.co/kEDx7bUHwQ pic.twitter.com/y2PgyUKRId
— Mike Flanagan (@flano0) July 2, 2021
“Franklin knew we were a team that could score a lot of goals — so I think their strategy was to slow things down,” Ava said. “[They] ended up coming back and tying it 5-5 and then in the end, the last 12 seconds, I got hit by adrenaline. It took me an hour to realize how I felt because I obviously was on an adrenaline rush, but I was not only proud of myself, but with the team and how we never backed down or gave up in a close game like that.”
The last–second goal from Ava wrapped up a perfect 24-0 season for the Wolverines, as the team captured its first state title since 2016, and their ninth since 2003. After missing out on playing last season, the Westwood group went into the playoffs lacking deep playoff experience. But that wouldn’t stop them from continuing their special run.
“Franklin is a very well–coached team, their defense was very stingy,” Westwood coach Margot Spatola said. “They were really strong on defense. We hadn’t seen that much of an opponent all season.
“Some of the other playoff games like Wellesley had a tough defense as well, but the Franklin game, it stands out in that, all of the girls on our team had never been out of the South sectional before. So, being in the state tournament was all new and exciting for them. I think there was definitely some nerves along with the excitement. But again, I think that they were ready to go and excited to be on that stage and luckily, the game ended up in our favor.”
For Ava, garnering playoff experience wouldn’t come from playing, but from watching. The sophomore attacker got a first–hand look at what it takes to win a state championship as she recalls watching her sisters, Haley and Kenzie, take the field for every high school game. Haley, who currently plays lacrosse at UMass, won two state championships in her four years at Westwood.
“I came to every single game whether it was Haley or Kenzie and I honestly grew as a player by watching,” Ava said. “We are extremely competitive. We would always play outside, shoot around with each other, but it was very competitive between the three of us.”
With a state championship now behind her, Ava will be looking to use her added experience as she continues to grow her game on the field. With six seniors from the team graduating this year, the experience Ava has accumulated from the older group will only help as Westwood looks to continue its success.
“We are fortunate to have a bunch of kids returning next year who are contributors to the team,” Spatola said, as she detailed the outlook for next season. “Some defenders who have been on the team for a few years, some midfielders and Ava on attack.
“For Ava, but for all of them really, just kind of working throughout the next year on their own and working together to get their game better, and hopefully, come into the next season in the spring excited again and ready to go. But really, being able to move forward and learn from what they experienced this past year but not rest on their laurels. I look forward to seeing [the returning underclassmen] as leaders next year, along with our returners who will be seniors.”
