STICKING WITH IT: Hun School girls’ lacrosse star Bri Barratt eludes the Mercersburg Academy (Pa.) defense last Saturday. Senior star and Syracuse-bound Barratt scored four goals in the game but it wasn’t enough as Hun lost 20-13. The Raiders, now 1-10, are slated to wrap up their season by playing at the Pennington School on April 30. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

Bri Barratt and the Hun School girls’ lacrosse team came out firing as they hosted the Mercersburg Academy (Pa.) last Saturday.

“Our first two minutes were great; we were up 2-0,” said senior star Barratt.

The next 35 minutes or so didn’t go as well for Hun as Mercersburg built a 9-5 lead by halftime and extended its advantage to 17-7 with 11:04 left in the contest.

Over the last 10 minutes of the game, the Raiders found a rhythm, outscoring the Blue Storm to narrow the final gap to 20-13.

“I think we really played as a team,” said Barratt, reflecting on that final stretch in the game on an afternoon which saw her score a team-high four goals.

“We were connecting in our transitions and our passes were working. We just needed to finish a little more.”

While Hun has taken its lumps this spring as it has gone 1-10, tri-captain Barratt has maintained an upbeat approach.

“I just want to bring all this positive energy to the team,” said Barratt, whose fellow captains are classmates Francesca Bello and Hanna Bettner. “I think as a captain and as a leader, positive energy is the best thing you can bring.”

Barratt also brings lacrosse savvy and skill to the field for the Raiders. “I am older and more mature,” said Barratt. “In the past I wasn’t as confident. As a senior, I feel like I can help lead the team.”

Barratt is excited to be joining another team this fall as she has committed to attend Syracuse University and play for its women’s lax program.

“I am looking forward to playing next year at Syracuse,” said Barratt, noting that the Orange are currently ranked second in the nation. “Gary Gait, Regy Thorpe, and Katie Rowan [the Syracuse coaches] are three of the best players ever in lacrosse, that had a huge influence on my decision.”

In the view of Hun head coach Haley Sanborn, Barratt has what it takes to succeed at the next level.

“Bri has demonstrated much discipline this season in all areas of her play, specifically in her stick skills,” said Sanborn.

“She exhibited more composure under pressure on attack and created some fantastic scoring opportunities for herself and her teammates. Bri emerged as a fierce competitor this season right from the start and made her presence known in every competition. Bri also took many draws for us this season and did fantastic, a tribute to her versatility as an athlete.”

Barratt’s competitive fire has helped hold the Raiders together this spring as they have gone through some growing pains.

“Bri has kept us on the scoreboard in many games this season and has lead the team in goals,” said Sanborn, who had two goals each from Erica Dwyer, Shannon Dudeck, and Bello in the loss to Mercersburg with Katie Consoli, Lindsay Ruddy, and Maura Kelly adding one apiece.

“Her leadership on offense has been seen in her intensity in getting the ball into our attacking end. Bri has been a solid, dependable, and talented member of our team since she came to Hun, and she will graduate having left her mark on the Hun lacrosse program — she will be missed significantly.”

In Sanborn’s view, Hun’s late surge in the Mercersburg game showed the mark it can make as it gains experience.

“We are a young team but do have much talent that has been maturing throughout the season,” said Sanborn, whose team lost 17-4 to Kent Place last Monday in the opening round of the state Prep A tournament and is slated to end the season by playing at the Pennington School on April 30.

“The 6-3 run at the end of the game worked well because we were playing as a team, letting the ball do the work, communicating and riding the wave of intensity and hustle that we had created. It was a great last home game for our seniors. I do think we had an opportunity to run away with the game at one point, but nonetheless there were some beautiful moments of pristine lacrosse displayed by the team. Mercersburg is a well-coached team and it was great competition for us.”

Barratt, for her part, believes there are some good moments ahead for Hun. “We are a real young team, I wish them the best of luck next year,” said Barratt.

“They are going to do great. There is a lot of young leadership and I think we are ending on a good note.”