Cosmos battle through emotional senior night

It was not the way the Cosmos envisioned their senior night, falling to Hartford 45-36, but it was the type of game that defined what Springfield basketball is about.

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2016-02-13 / Sports Cosmos battle through emotional senior night By CHRIS DOHERTY cdoherty@eagletimes.com Springfield recognized its six seniors prior to Friday’s game. From left to right: Guilia Benvenuto, Brooke Willey, Rebekah Ferreira, Diamond Bruso, Ari Rowe and Lizzie Mackenzie. — CHRIS DOHERTY Springfield recognized its six seniors prior to Friday’s game. From left to right: Guilia Benvenuto, Brooke Willey, Rebekah Ferreira, Diamond Bruso, Ari Rowe and Lizzie Mackenzie. — CHRIS DOHERTY SPRINGFIELD — It was not the way the Cosmos envisioned their senior night, falling to Hartford 45-36, but it was the type of game that defined what Springfield basketball is about. Prior to the game, Springfield recognized its basketball and dance team seniors. Giulia Benvenuto, Rebekah Ferreira, Lizzie Mackenzie, Ari Rowe, Diamond Bruso and Brooke Willey were all honored prior to tip-off as well as at the end of the game. With 41 seconds to go and Springfield down 43-34, Willey fouled out. She walked off the floor with tears in her eyes and to a standing ovation from the home crowd. Shortly after, Springfield head coach Joe Costello substituted out Rowe, Mackenzie and Bruso and all emotionally walked off the court with a standing ovation from the crowd. “It’s a game in front of friends and family, it’s a lifetime of experiences together and it’s the last time this team is going to have to play here,” said Costello. “I knew they knew that and they were hoping to put together a great showing and I think they put together one that they can be proud of, although it’s not the result on the scoreboard anyone was looking for.” Rowe gave Springfield a 2-0 lead early in the first, but for the rest of the gamSpringfield also recognized the three seniors on the dance team. From left to right: Laurana Slobodnjak, Coach Ashley Hensel-Browning, Jen Anders, Carly Nitzel. — CHRIS DOHERTY Springfield also recognized the three seniors on the dance team. From left to right: Laurana Slobodnjak, Coach Ashley Hensel-Browning, Jen Anders, Carly Nitzel. — CHRIS DOHERTY e the Cosmos had to play catch-up against the visiting Hurricanes. Hartford consistently expanded the lead throughout the game, leading by 15 after three and by 20 early on in the fourth. Down 41-21, Springfield regrouped and stormed back into the game. “I was thrilled to see that response,” said Costello. Rowe hit a floater and Mackenzie hit a three to get the score back down to 41-26. Hannah Crosby then scored six out of the next eight points for Springfield to cut the score down to 43-34. Bruso also collected an offensive rebound and a put back in that span. “We didn’t have our night tonight,” said Costello. “It seemed like every area of the court we were just an inch short, a step shy, but I applaud my kids for their determination, their constant energy, their bonding as a team and their heart.” Even with Springfield’s defense making it difficult on Hartford, Kaylee Williams or Megan Newton was always there when a play needed to be made. Both finished with 15 points each. Crosby led the Cosmos with 12 points. Mackenzie finished with five, Rowe with four, Willey with three and Bruso with two. Costello praised his seniors for who they’ve become on and off the court. “We’ve been talking about that as a group, of the things we can do on the court and off the court to grow as a team and this group has really taken that personally and dedicated all of their energy to doing so,” he said. “The results may not have been the ones that we sought for or wanted, but I see personal achievements in all aspects of basketball and life from this group that I’m constantly proud of. “And sports is an outlet to the rest of their life and I think they’re going to be more successful for it,” Costello continued. It was a very emotional night for the Cosmos. Even after the game ended and the team went into the locker room, everyone, including the underclassmen, walked out with tears in their eyes and sought after the nearest shoulder to lean on. There is still work to be done, however. Springfield has two road games left to end the regular season. The Cosmos will travel to Mill River on Tuesday and Fair Haven on Friday to finish the regular season. “I think the most consistent way of pulling people back to earth is getting back to routines,” said Costello. “We’re going to go to the gym over the weekend, we’re going to have a practice where we do our normal stuff … and that will refocus them and I expect them to come into next week ready to play. “This wasn’t the end of the season and they know that.”