Makena Lee Breaks School Record as Baldwin Downs Lawrenceville on Homecoming Day

On a postcard-perfect Homecoming Saturday at The Baldwin School, the Polar Bears gave the home crowd plenty to cheer about — and history to witness.

Led by junior co-captain Makena Lee, Baldwin defeated visiting Lawrenceville 3–1 to close out its non-league schedule undefeated and improve to 10–5–1 on the season. Lee’s two-goal, one-assist performance vaulted her into the school record books with 83 career goals, breaking the previous mark in front of a sun-drenched, standing-room-only crowd.

“It was a special day, and a special performance,” Baldwin head coach Adrian Cox said after the match. “Makena set a personal goal when she arrived in our program — and to see her achieve it on Homecoming, in a game like this, is just awesome. But more than anything, it was a fantastic team win.”

The day didn’t start out in Baldwin’s favor.

Lawrenceville struck first, capitalizing on a moment of defensive disorganization midway through the first half. A well-timed through ball split the Baldwin backline, and though junior goalkeeper Anaka Boyd-Volz made an impressive save on the initial breakaway shot, the rebound fell kindly to a trailing Big Red attacker who slotted it into the open net.

“I think the moment might have gotten to us a little bit early on,” Cox admitted. “Homecoming is always electric — but sometimes that adrenaline can make it hard to settle into your rhythm.”

It didn’t take long for the Polar Bears to recover. As halftime approached, freshman midfielder Scarlett Rushing applied pressure high up the pitch, forced a turnover, and fed Lee near the top of the box. One stepover and a burst of acceleration later, Lee fired a low shot into the bottom right corner — her 82nd career goal and the one that rewrote Baldwin’s history books.

The moment shifted the game.

“That goal came at such a critical time,” Cox said. “Scarlett’s awareness and pressure, the weight of the pass, and then Makena doing what she does — that’s what we train for. It was a big boost heading into the break.”

At halftime, Baldwin’s coaching staff made tactical tweaks that paid immediate dividends. Freshman center back Mia Wendler pushed into the midfield, while Ally Walker dropped into the backline to partner with her older sister, junior co-captain Kyla Walker. The Walker duo was a lockdown pairing in central defense, reading the game with veteran poise and shutting down any Big Red attempt to get in behind.

“Mia gave us that physical presence and energy in midfield we needed,” said Cox. “And the Walker sisters were just immense. Positionally sharp, aggressive in the tackle, and completely in sync.”

With the foundation solidified at the back, Baldwin found more freedom going forward. Freshman winger Claire Hsia began to stretch the Lawrenceville defense with her speed and creativity. Midway through the second half, Hsia danced past two defenders on a slaloming run down the right flank before delivering a pinpoint cross to Lee at the back post. Lee didn’t miss — heading in her 83rd career goal and what would prove to be the game-winner.

The Bears added a third late on, this time off a clever set piece. Sophomore defender Annie Reed played a quick pass off a free kick to Lee, who took a quick touch before whipping in a driven ball to Rushing. The freshman timed her run perfectly and volleyed home low past the keeper, sealing the win and capping a dominant second-half performance.

“It was a full team effort,” Cox said. “Every player did their job. We were aggressive, organized, and relentless — especially in transition. I loved how we counter-pressed after losing possession. That kind of commitment will serve us well in the weeks to come.”

With the non-league schedule now behind them, Baldwin turns its attention back to Inter-Ac League play, beginning with a demanding back-to-back stretch against Germantown Academy and Agnes Irwin — both of whom defeated Baldwin in the first round of league fixtures.

“We know what’s coming,” Cox said. “It’s a huge challenge. But if we play with the intensity, organization, and togetherness we showed in the second half today, we’re going to be in every game.”

As for Lee, the record-breaking forward has her name in the Baldwin history books — but her focus remains on the team.

“She’s earned this,” Cox added. “Makena works so hard — not just here, but through her club team, private training, strength and conditioning. She’s a leader, a game-changer, and now the top scorer in Baldwin history. And she’s not done yet.”

If Saturday’s performance was any indication, neither is this Baldwin team.