A Small Team with a Big Heart

With just 17 players on the girls lacrosse roster, Bronxville doesn't even have enough to run a full scrimmage at practice. But coach Michael Bird chooses to focus on the positives instead.

"Anytime we go 7-on-7 (in practice), we're putting good people against good people," Bird said. "We're never running starters against second teamers. What that has done so far is it allows us to create an intense atmosphere at practice. The games, as pressure-packed as they may be, are a relief."

Bird is also able to give more feedback to each individual. And since the whole roster is being utilized, the players are all well conditioned, which came in handy when Bronxville beat Mamaroneck and Edgemont on back-to-back days.

That stretch helped the Broncos to a 5-1 start, with the only loss coming against Class A North Rockland. Bronxville is now 8-2-1.

"I think we're getting better every week so I'm hoping we peak at the right time around playoffs," Bird said. "I've been expecting this group of kids to come together, so it's not really a surprise that they have, but it's delightful to watch the leadership of the team."

That leadership starts with the four captains: seniors Christie Bonfiglio, Cara Dennen and Brooke Gogel and junior Megan Murray.

Bonfiglio is headed to Franklin & Marshall. She's a strong, athletic presence in the middle of the field who sets the tone early on and excels in transition.

While Bonfiglio provides power, fellow midfielder Dennen uses finesse and game knowledge and distributes the ball beautifully .

Gogel has an incredible first-step and is an explosive presence on the attack.

"You don't want to get between her and the goal," Bird said. "It's not a pleasant place to be. When she sets her sight on the goal, nine times out of 10 it's going to get there."

Murray runs the offense from behind the cage, where she is great on isolation plays and can go left or right. A nationally-ranked player in squash, Murray is confident and composed on the lacrosse field.

The players on the roster are fast and strong and should be a force in the Class C playoffs. It's still to early to say whether Bronxville's lack of depth will catch up to it in the postseason, but for now the Broncos are staying positive.

"Everybody matters, and the (captains) work really hard to make sure everybody knows they matter," Bird said.