AUBURN - Five Auburn girls lacrosse players gathered at midfield with their coach Friday night, taking a minute to share a memory or two - perhaps a few jokes or words of encouragement - before the quintet played what could be their final game at Holland Stadium.

Before Auburn dispensed of Central Square 16-4, the Maroons fans watched what could be the changing of the guard, an ending of a chapter in a program that has grown by leaps and bounds over the last several seasons.

Led by Notre Dame-bound Flannery Nangle, who had a game-high six goals and two assists, Auburn improved its sectional standing with the win.

Nangle is a four-year player for the Maroons, and has been on the team while Auburn went through growing pains.

“It's been an amazing class,” said Nangle who was honored with Brittney Baran, Delaney Scollan, Jamie Handley and Laura Iwanicki in the pre-game ceremonies.

“All of the five girls have been dedicated to the program and been great examples for the younger girls coming up.” Amy Spin, a former assistant coach at Cayuga Community College, took over the program after she left the Spartans.

“They're understanding they can do it,” Spin said.

“That's the biggest thing. This past year they've understood and grown as a team to know that they can pull it together and make it happen as long as they believe.”

Next season, Spin will coach then inaugural season of women's lacrosse at Onondaga Community College.

“It came up, it was an opportunity and I would kick myself if I didn't take the opportunity,” said Spin, who will still be involved in the youth program and teach physical education in the district.

“I've got to try it. I told my athletic director though, that if it doesn't work out I always hope the door will be open back here.”

It was evident by the Maroons' drudging of the Red Hawks, that the fundamentals that Auburn has improved on in recent seasons will benefit the team for years to come - especially with a strong crop of underclassmen on the squad.

The Maroons out-hustled the Red Hawks to ground balls, found their cutters and made smooth transitions from defense to offense.

“I definitely think the program has improved,” Nangle said. “I think it was more involvement. All the girls are more dedicated than in the years past.”

While Central Square had the edge in draws, Auburn forced turnovers that turned into effective possessions.

Besides Nangle, Kim Neagle and Kaitlyn Aldrich each notched three goals, Nikki Shattinger added two goals and an assist, Brittany Rabuano and Scollan pitched in with a goal and an assist, while Taylor Baran and Chelsea Smith added assists.

Goalie Brittney Baran, who will join Spin at OCC next season, stopped eight shots in the net.

Auburn travels to Liverpool next week for its season finale. Spin is not taking the Warriors lightly.

“We have to really prepare in the next couple of days and be ready to play our top game and take care of business,” she said. “They've got some good shooters, some good passers. We've really got to come out and play our A-game.”

With a postseason berth already secured, the Maroons (9-7) are playing for seeding. Auburn has recently pulled off big wins against Henninger-Nottingham and Corcoran-Fowler.

“Our goal from the beginning of the season was to make it past the first round in sectionals,” Nangle said. “If we could do that, that would be great.”

Maroons 16

Red Hawks 4