NATICK — With seven minutes left in its game against Natick on Tuesday, Needham picked up its fourth yellow card.
According to the rules regarding yellow card accumulation, Needham would need to play the rest of the game down a player.
With a player advantage in the game’s final minutes and with Needham star Sami Bonasia face-guarded, the Red Hawks blitzed Rocket ball-carriers, trying to force a turnover.
But Needham kept the ball away from the sticks of Natick players, moving it around its own end and up the alleys on both sides of the field.
In the final minute, with Natick players applying heavy pressure, Bonasia slipped free, getting a clear run on goal and scoring, sealing a Rocket win, 8-4. The senior finished the game with a team-high three goals.
Despite being a player down at multiple points in the game due to penalties, especially the final seven minutes, the Rockets never slowed down.
“The girls didn’t stop,” first-year Needham coach Lindsay Hope said. “We’ve been pushing all season for them to continue pressing on and fighting through really any obstacle … they gave it their all. From start to finish. Every one of them did something they should be proud of.”
Bonasia scored the Rockets’ first two goals in the first quarter. The senior Union College commit roll dodged close to the crease and scored with 7:45 to get Needham on the board. Three minutes later, she connected with a long-range shot from the right wing to put the Rockets up 2-0 heading into the second quarter.
From there, Natick always had a defender on the senior, whether she had the ball or not.
The Rockets got another goal from Lisa O’Leary after she picked up a ground ball in the middle of Natick’s defense, turned and scored a minute into the second quarter. From there, the Red Hawks scored back to back goals from Abby Dole and Sammy Collins to close the gap to 3-2 going into halftime.
Natick had chances to grab the lead in the second quarter with shots off free positions and close near the crease, but Rockets goalie Olivia Leschinski made kick saves and stops to keep Natick from going on a scoring run.
“Liv was huge,” Hope said. “Liv kept us in it today. Even though she might not be the most highlighted … she saved us a ton. She kept us in check. I’m super proud of her and the team.”
With Bonasia still face-guarded in the third quarter, other Needham attacking players stepped up.
Addie Stedman forced a turnover early in the frame, kick-starting a fast break and a free run that ended with a goal to get momentum back on the Rockets’ side. A minute later, Frankie Adams got free in the middle of Natick’s defense and scored. Another minute later, she got free in the middle of the defense again and scored, making it 6-2, Needham.
Needham girls lacrosse coach Lindsay Hope during a game against Natick on May 6, 2025.Gage Nutter
“Everyone on our team is a threat,” Hope said. “All our attackers and subs are capable of making incredible plays. That was key. All of them had a contribution. Even when people guarded Sami, we found creative plays to get people to contribute.”
With seven minutes to go in the fourth quarter, Needham was given its fourth yellow card, putting them down a player for the rest of the game. Despite the man advantage for the Red Hawks, Needham moved the ball quickly on its clears, keeping it away from Natick before Bonasia iced the game with her goal in the final minute.
“There were a lot of opportunities to come up with draws and ground balls, but Needham ended up wining them,” Natick coach Tanner Hetnick said. “In the end I thought Needham moved the ball well when we tried to get it back. They outlasted us.”
The Rockets came into Tuesday’s game following losses to Newton North, Wellesley and Foxborough.
They came into the game motivated to not drop a fourth in a row.
“Coming off three losses, we were hungry,” Bonasia said. “We had a lot of energy going in. We just really wanted it and worked well together.”
Needham finished last season with a record of 10-7 and fell in the Round of 32 in the Division I state tournament. Following Tuesday’s win, the program is 6-5 on the season.
With less than a month left in the regular season, the Rockets just want to be the best team they can be when the postseason comes around in June.
“We just want to go as far as we can and live up to our potential,” Bonasia said. “Just reaching our full potential.”
Needham coach Lindsay Hope on this year’s team: “We have talent and a great community. … Every day these girls come to a field and work super hard. They give me the time I ask for. The talent and the overall positivity and respect is something I am so grateful to have. Not every team has that. That’s what makes my time at Needham special and positive.”
Needham’s Sami Bonasia on being face-guarded for most of the game: “I know my teammates know the plays and they can do it. They all contribute. (I was) just cheering them on and setting picks.”
