READING — When the time finally came to return to the practice field for tryouts this past spring, Kate Leone finally was able to breathe a sigh of relief.
The Reading girls lacrosse star had spent months working her way back from a series of left knee injuries, most notably a torn ACL and meniscus. Now following two surgeries, the senior and her teammates have the program off to one of its best starts in school history at 14-1.
“It felt amazing,” said Leone. “I was a little nervous at first, because tearing your ACL is a big deal. I think it’s more of a mental game than it is physical. It just felt good to get back out there with my teammates, and make an impact.”
A DePauw women’s lacrosse commit, Leone (25 goals, eight assists) has proven to be a Swiss Army knife for the Rockets, as has St. Michael’s commit Julia Barbato (27 goals, 23 assists). Meanwhile, the Rockets have been fueled offensively by a trio of sophomore sensations with Libby Quinn (45 goals, 18 assists), Megan Shanahan (32 goals, 17 assists) and Molly Trahan (31 goals, five assists) all having breakout campaigns.
“We have a list of goals,” said Leone. “I think we’ve done a great job with checking them off, but there’s still a few left on our list. We’d love to make it all the way.”
Sam Maher, a senior captain, has shored things up on the defensive end for Reading.
“I just think everyone on the team is a threat,” Maher said. “I think we have a lot of depth, and not a lot of other teams (can say) that.”
Rachel Monroe has served as head coach at Reading since 2013. During the last decade, her teams have had their fair share of success. The Rockets reached the Div. 1 North semifinals in 2019 (a 12-11 loss to Marblehead) under the old MIAA playoff system. Reading followed things up by embarking on a run to the North semifinals again in 2021, only to falter to rival Chelmsford with an 11-7 loss.
Last season, the Rockets saw their campaign end in the Div. 1 Round of 16 at the hands of Walpole (an 11-6 loss June 11). Yet, there has been a sudden resurgence for this group in recent weeks.
“They’re motivated,” Monroe said. “But they’re calm, humble, hardworking. So, they’re motivated, they want to do well. They want to win, but they get nervous, playing teams that beat them the previous year. We just focus a lot about mental toughness, preparation for the opponent, and taking it one play at a time, one game at a time, one half at a time. Trying not to look too much into the future.”
On April 24, the Rockets had an opportunity for revenge against the Timberwolves, and they succeeded in their endeavors as Reading dealt Walpole a convincing 16-9 defeat. It was a statement victory, and a defining moment for the program.
“I think it was a huge win,” said Leone. “I think we went out there, and we showed them what Reading girls lacrosse is capable of doing, and that we are a contender in the state.”
As of this past Friday, Reading was seeded third overall in the MIAA’s Div. 1 power rankings with a rating of 13.9499. The Rockets have also been propelled by the performance of junior Caroline Jadul (39 goals, seven assists).
“I don’t want to speak too soon,” said Monroe. “But we have high hopes for the postseason. But you never know, (when it comes) to the postseason.”
Reading will look to close things out in style as it takes on Middlesex League rivals Burlington, Arlington and Winchester before capping the regular season with a game against North Andover. Then, the Rockets will look to complete their ultimate goal of winning a Div. 1 state championship.
“I think we just want to come out every game and show them what we can do,” said Leone. “I think everybody is a threat on offense. Our defense is phenomenal. Our goalies are great, and we just keep on playing like we do. That’s all we can ask for, just keep on playing, and giving it our all.”
