When Bow needed a spark, sophomores Vita Flagg, Jules Cusson and senior Josie Johnson stepped up on attack to shut down any chance of a comeback.
The two were part of a well-oiled Falcons machine on offense against a tough John Stark defense. Together, they combined for all nine of Bow’s goals to defeat the Generals, 9-7.
Most of their goals came from open play and patient, measured attacks. Flagg, who led the group with four goals and an assist, said it was all about intensity to stay ahead.
The key to channeling that intensity, though, was communication. “People don’t realize that communication’s a big part of offense, they think it’s more defense,” she said.
Her four goals weren’t in quick succession either. Cusson scored the first and last goal, and in between, Flagg and Johnson went back and forth.
The biggest moment was to start the second half. After Bow took a four-goal lead, Stark battled back to tie it up with three goals by junior Zoe Lawson and one by Addy Brunini.
John Stark junior Zoe Lawson scores a tough shot to the near post against Bow in the second quarter on Monday, May 18, 2026. Credit: ALEXANDER RAPP / Monitor 
Bow defender Leah Gallier (L) tries to take a ground ball from Stark junior Zoe Lawson in Bow’s 9-7 win over the Generals. Credit: ALEXANDER RAPP / Monitor
To open the second half, Johnson combined well on a cut with freshman attacker Chloe Nowakowski. Then, Flagg scored two with strong-side shots.
“Shout out our defense too, Gianna [Trott] with her saves and all of our defense, all of our interceptions,” Flagg added. “Our defense played good, offense played good, everyone played great.”
Stark had another flurry to score three before the end, but couldn’t catch Bow. Overall, head coach Samantha Saunders saw a lot of positives for the Generals.
She was happy to see her players enjoying themselves with high-energy play.
“We were fighting for every ground ball right until the last second. We love to see that, gotta play with intensity,” Saunders said.
It was a meaningful result for both teams. Bow stayed ahead in the standings, at 9-1, to position itself second behind Hopkinton.
For Stark (7-3), it was proof that it could compete with the top teams in the division. They were eliminated by Bow in a crushing upset, 16-8, in last year’s quarterfinals.
As both local powerhouses move into the toughest part of the regular season, they’ve got their sights set on earning a top seed.
