McGrath’s Leadership Big Plus For Natick’s Girls Lacrosse Team
By KEN HAMWEY
Staff Sports Writer
When Alex McGrath heard that last year’s spring sports season was canceled because of the covid-19 pandemic, her immediate thoughts went far beyond disappointment and frustration. She said: “I was devastated.’’
A promising lacrosse player for Natick High, the 5-foot-5 defender turned in consistent and capable efforts as a sophomore in 2019, helping the Redhawks post a 13-5 regular-season record and advancing to the second round of the sectional tournament. “Devastating’’ was a normal reaction because of what McGrath and her teammates lost in 2020.
“We had a strong team with nine seniors and six juniors, all experienced players,’’ she said. “We were excited about a season that had the potential for us to go deep into the tourney. Besides experience, we had depth and talent and we were all looking forward to that season.’’
McGrath is a very special student-athlete, one who’s able to fully grasp what has to be prioritized. One who understands the importance of perseverance.
A captain who’s competing as a defender, and a midfielder if needed, McGrath is a very dynamic component for the Redhawks, and coach Tanner Guarano is acutely aware of her value.
“Alex has a high lacrosse IQ,’’ Guarino noted. “She’s also athletic, well-skilled and coachable. She pushes herself and that makes other players elevate their ability. She’ll play college lacrosse for St. Anselm’s College and she’ll excel at that level because of her work ethic and her drive. Alex is well-rounded, on an off the field.’’
There’s no doubt about McGrath’s versatility or her off-the-field results. She’s a high honors student and a member of the National Honor Society. Her leadership ability, which was sharpened as a captain in field hockey, is easy to detect.
“As one of the lacrosse captains, I try to lead by example and by being vocal and supportive,’’ McGrath emphasized. “What’s important is to demonstrate hard work and perseverance. The key is to build positive relationships.’’
At Local Town Pages deadline, the Redhawks had a 2-1 record and McGrath had one goal. She’s optimistic her objectives for the team can be reached.
“We want to qualify for the sectional tourney, get past the second round, and aim for a sectional and state title,’’ she offered. “Our prospects are good if we all work hard and develop team chemistry. My personal goals are to strive to contribute offensively and to be a Bay State Conference all-star.
A Natick native, McGrath had three outstanding varsity seasons in field hockey. She was a captain, a BSC first-team all-star, and twice competed in the sectional semifinals where the Redhawks bowed to Andover on both occasions.
Lacrosse, however, is her sport of preference. She began playing in Natick’s youth league as a seven-year-old. She’s also competed at the club level with Gold Star Lacrosse for five years.
“Lacrosse is appealing because it’s fast-paced,’’ she said. “It features contact and it requires being creative, whether it’s when you’re passing, scoring, or on the defensive end.’’
McGrath enjoys playing either defense or the midfield and she’s able to adjust to whatever the challenges are. “Defense requires communication,’’ she said. “Breaking up a scoring chance is fun and being the last obstacle in front of the goalie puts a defender in a key role. Playing midfield is challenging because there’s so much transition. Endurance is a must because of so much running. To get into a consistent rhythm you need lots of energy.’’
McGrath was superbly energetic when Natick faced Concord-Carlisle in the second round of the sectional tourney during her sophomore season. The Redhawks lost but Guarino liked how her young defender competed. “Alex had a break-out game,’’ Guarino said. “She displayed confidence and ability as she got more involved in our offense.’’
McGrath calls that contest “my best game.’’
“I was able to move the ball up-field and pass effectively,’’ she recalled. “Although I was nervous, I took the lessons learned during the season and applied them against Concord-Carlisle. I was aggressive and played out of my comfort zone.’’
McGrath rates her selection as a captain as her top thrill in lacrosse. She also appreciates the squad’s other seniors and her coach. The seniors are midfielders Mary Dougherty, Emily Cochi and Molly Healy, defender Lily Kingdon and attacker Megan Cuddy.
“We’ve played together for 10 years and it’s great to be with teammates who are positive, talented, athletic and skilled,’’ McGrath noted. “And, coach Guarino is a dynamic motivator. She knows the game and she’s terrific with strategy.’’
McGrath’s competitive philosophy stresses winning, reaching one’s potential and having fun. “Winning is important and it happens when potential is reached and having fun occurs,’’ she said. “Athletics also help us to learn valuable life lessons. I’ve learned how to be a good teammate, a leader, how to overcome adversity, how to sharpen my work ethic and how to communicate better.’’
The recipient of a partial scholarship, McGrath isn’t sure what she’ll major in at St. Anselm’s but she’s learning towards business administration. As for college lacrosse, she knows there’ll be challenges. “I’ll have to adapt to a faster pace and a stronger talent level,’’ she said. For my transition to go smoothly, it’ll require sharpening all my skills.’’
McGrath says her role models in lacrosse are last year’s graduated seniors. “The way they led, the way they practiced and played, and the way they formed great relationships made them special,’’ McGrath said.
A superb approach to athletics and her mental toughness allow McGrath to be special, too.
“In lacrosse, what matters after a play is more important than what happens before the play,’’ she emphasized. “The key is to allow mental toughness to surface and be able to bounce back from what may have been a negative situation.’’
There’s little doubt how well Alex McGrath bounced back after losing out on her junior year of lacrosse because of the pandemic.
She personified mental toughness at a very difficult time for her and her teammates.
Staff Sports Writer
When Alex McGrath heard that last year’s spring sports season was canceled because of the covid-19 pandemic, her immediate thoughts went far beyond disappointment and frustration. She said: “I was devastated.’’
A promising lacrosse player for Natick High, the 5-foot-5 defender turned in consistent and capable efforts as a sophomore in 2019, helping the Redhawks post a 13-5 regular-season record and advancing to the second round of the sectional tournament. “Devastating’’ was a normal reaction because of what McGrath and her teammates lost in 2020.
“We had a strong team with nine seniors and six juniors, all experienced players,’’ she said. “We were excited about a season that had the potential for us to go deep into the tourney. Besides experience, we had depth and talent and we were all looking forward to that season.’’
When the shock wore off that nine seniors wouldn’t be able to complete their final season and that six juniors had to wait another year to play, McGrath faced reality.
McGrath is a very special student-athlete, one who’s able to fully grasp what has to be prioritized. One who understands the importance of perseverance.
A captain who’s competing as a defender, and a midfielder if needed, McGrath is a very dynamic component for the Redhawks, and coach Tanner Guarano is acutely aware of her value.
“Alex has a high lacrosse IQ,’’ Guarino noted. “She’s also athletic, well-skilled and coachable. She pushes herself and that makes other players elevate their ability. She’ll play college lacrosse for St. Anselm’s College and she’ll excel at that level because of her work ethic and her drive. Alex is well-rounded, on an off the field.’’
There’s no doubt about McGrath’s versatility or her off-the-field results. She’s a high honors student and a member of the National Honor Society. Her leadership ability, which was sharpened as a captain in field hockey, is easy to detect.
“As one of the lacrosse captains, I try to lead by example and by being vocal and supportive,’’ McGrath emphasized. “What’s important is to demonstrate hard work and perseverance. The key is to build positive relationships.’’
At Local Town Pages deadline, the Redhawks had a 2-1 record and McGrath had one goal. She’s optimistic her objectives for the team can be reached.
“We want to qualify for the sectional tourney, get past the second round, and aim for a sectional and state title,’’ she offered. “Our prospects are good if we all work hard and develop team chemistry. My personal goals are to strive to contribute offensively and to be a Bay State Conference all-star.
A Natick native, McGrath had three outstanding varsity seasons in field hockey. She was a captain, a BSC first-team all-star, and twice competed in the sectional semifinals where the Redhawks bowed to Andover on both occasions.
Lacrosse, however, is her sport of preference. She began playing in Natick’s youth league as a seven-year-old. She’s also competed at the club level with Gold Star Lacrosse for five years.
“Lacrosse is appealing because it’s fast-paced,’’ she said. “It features contact and it requires being creative, whether it’s when you’re passing, scoring, or on the defensive end.’’
McGrath enjoys playing either defense or the midfield and she’s able to adjust to whatever the challenges are. “Defense requires communication,’’ she said. “Breaking up a scoring chance is fun and being the last obstacle in front of the goalie puts a defender in a key role. Playing midfield is challenging because there’s so much transition. Endurance is a must because of so much running. To get into a consistent rhythm you need lots of energy.’’
McGrath was superbly energetic when Natick faced Concord-Carlisle in the second round of the sectional tourney during her sophomore season. The Redhawks lost but Guarino liked how her young defender competed. “Alex had a break-out game,’’ Guarino said. “She displayed confidence and ability as she got more involved in our offense.’’
McGrath calls that contest “my best game.’’
“I was able to move the ball up-field and pass effectively,’’ she recalled. “Although I was nervous, I took the lessons learned during the season and applied them against Concord-Carlisle. I was aggressive and played out of my comfort zone.’’
McGrath rates her selection as a captain as her top thrill in lacrosse. She also appreciates the squad’s other seniors and her coach. The seniors are midfielders Mary Dougherty, Emily Cochi and Molly Healy, defender Lily Kingdon and attacker Megan Cuddy.
“We’ve played together for 10 years and it’s great to be with teammates who are positive, talented, athletic and skilled,’’ McGrath noted. “And, coach Guarino is a dynamic motivator. She knows the game and she’s terrific with strategy.’’
McGrath’s competitive philosophy stresses winning, reaching one’s potential and having fun. “Winning is important and it happens when potential is reached and having fun occurs,’’ she said. “Athletics also help us to learn valuable life lessons. I’ve learned how to be a good teammate, a leader, how to overcome adversity, how to sharpen my work ethic and how to communicate better.’’
The recipient of a partial scholarship, McGrath isn’t sure what she’ll major in at St. Anselm’s but she’s learning towards business administration. As for college lacrosse, she knows there’ll be challenges. “I’ll have to adapt to a faster pace and a stronger talent level,’’ she said. For my transition to go smoothly, it’ll require sharpening all my skills.’’
McGrath says her role models in lacrosse are last year’s graduated seniors. “The way they led, the way they practiced and played, and the way they formed great relationships made them special,’’ McGrath said.
A superb approach to athletics and her mental toughness allow McGrath to be special, too.
“In lacrosse, what matters after a play is more important than what happens before the play,’’ she emphasized. “The key is to allow mental toughness to surface and be able to bounce back from what may have been a negative situation.’’
There’s little doubt how well Alex McGrath bounced back after losing out on her junior year of lacrosse because of the pandemic.
She personified mental toughness at a very difficult time for her and her teammates.
