Led by new Head Coach Brittany Giacco, Girls Varsity Lacrosse looks to “threepeat” as Founders League champions. Coach Giacco succeeds former Head Coach Anna Traggio, who coached the team for the last 21 years.
“Ms. Giacco has stepped right into the head coaching position effortlessly. She adds a new level of intensity and dedication to the team,” said co-captain Etta Coburn ’24. “She fosters a positive environment in which we can learn while having fun. It is inspiring to see Coach Giacco getting comfortable with her new role.”
The team continues to follow its philosophy of “HTR,” or “hold the rope”—as a mountain climber would for a teammate belaying down a cliff; no matter how the rope might burn their palms, a true teammate will never let go. Coburn said, “This philosophy encourages us to support and motivate one another on our best and worst days. The trust it has created on the team will play a large role in our success.”
The team concluded its 2023 season with a record of 12-3, beating rivals Loomis, Berkshire, and Taft. Its only losses came against Nobles & Greenough, Greenwich Academy, and Sacred Heart.
At the end of that season, the team won first place at the Founders League Championship, beating Loomis in the semi-finals and Taft in the finals. This championship repeated the team’s victory at the 2022 Founders Championship against Taft, 20-4.
Only four Seniors graduated last year and most of last year’s players have returned. The team has picked up where it left off last season, with big wins against rivals Taft and Nobles. Co-captain Zoe Bye ’24 said, “We started off the season unranked, but our win against these strong teams gave us a national spotlight. Nobles was one of our three losses last year and it felt amazing to beat them.”
The win against Nobles placed the team in the USA Lacrosse Magazine national rankings, which are updated weekly by professional sports writers with input from coaches around the country. Initially ranked as 15th, as of May 3, the team is now 9th in the nation, ahead of both Nobles and Sacred Heart. This year, the team aims to have an undefeated season and hopes to win big games like the season’s final game against Sacred Heart, which is currently ranked 21st in the nation.
Co-captain Avery Doran ’24 said, “Our greatest goal as a team is to win the Founders League title for the third consecutive season. Our team has so much depth and we are capable of achieving this goal.”
Coach Giacco said, “The girls are competing hard every day they step onto Downing Field. My goal is to make each practice harder than any of our games, so it’s easier to face off against opponents. A lot of the work is done by the girls getting in reps every day. Without the drive each of them possesses, we wouldn’t be in the position to win another Founders.”
As of May 5, the team is undefeated, with a 10-0 record.
