Abby Burke controls the ball during a recent game against Medway. PHOTO/JOHN CARDILLO

Hopkinton High School girls lacrosse coach Marisa Remley could see a noticeable shift in her team not even halfway through the 2025 season. In her second year at the helm, Remley said it felt like the players had “hit their stride.”

“They put in a lot of work during the offseason, they did winter workouts and it helped them build chemistry,” Remley said. “They came out of the gates hot, and it’s been awesome to watch them play with this newfound confidence.”

The results have shown on the field. The Hillers won more games through their first seven contests this spring than they did all of last season when they were adjusting to having a new coach just weeks before the start of the schedule.

“It was a lot of change, but now they have had a full year to play together,” Remley said. “They have come out as a united front.”

Hopkinton is led by six seniors, a class Remley said will be strong this year and also help set the tone for seasons to come. Rachel Bouvier, one of the captains, helms the midfield.

“She is a leader on the field,” her coach said. “She helps the offense find their flow and sets the pace on that side of the field.”

Fellow captain Laura Mosher, nicknamed “Mo,” is someone Remley described as “an absolute competitor to her core.”

“She wants to win, and she will put in the work and see the winning results,” Remley added.

On defense, Hopkinton is leaning on senior captains Harriet Rankin, Katie Leccese and Callie Hopkins.

“They’ve all been really instrumental on defense,” Remley said. “It’s definitely a position where you all need to be on the same page to be successful.”

Skidmore-bound Lila Mato, another senior, returned in goal this spring and is another key cog in helping the defense play together. Hopkinton also is relying heavily on sophomore Lucy Mato, who brings a high energy to a move to midfield this spring, and versatile junior Abby Burke, who is a threat on attack, on defense or in the draw circle.

After missing out on the tournament last spring, the Hillers have their sights set on the playoffs this time around.

“Everyone’s goal is to make the tournament,” Remley said. “Last year was about a lot of culture building and figuring out who we were. Now we can see the results, so we are trying to keep going and not take anything for granted.”