Gilman narrowly escapes with win
The Gilman Greyhounds needed to score four consecutive goals in the fourth quarter — including the game-tying goal by Georgetown-bound Davey Emala with under a minute to play — just to get to an overtime period.
And then it took a game-winning goal by Marcus Holman early in the sudden-death overtime period to secure an 8-7 come-from-behind win over Pennsylvania powerhouse LaSalle College in an interstate boys’ lacrosse showdown.
But when the celebration was over, Gilman — ranked No. 10 in the country by LaxPower — was satisfied to escape with the win and improve its overall record to 3-0 at this point of their very young season.
“I was very excited for the boys because it was such a tough game and to win such a game is really fun,” Gilman coach Brooks Matthews said after the win. “Beating a team that is as talented, tough, and well-coached as LaSalle is an accomplishment, and so I was also very proud of our team.
“Our players kept saying we could win, and that confidence turned into really positive energy when we needed it most.”
Gilman (3-0) was led by Emala’s four goals, while Holman and Jack Doyle tallied two goals apiece.
Peter Schwartz scored a hat trick for LaSalle (1-2), while teammate Randall Forster chipped in with two goals and two assists.
The Greyhounds open up their Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association ‘A’ Conference schedule on Friday when they travel to Annapolis to face St. Mary’s (6-0), which is ranked No. 1 in the country by LaxPower.
Despite the Saints’ No. 1 ranking, coach Matthews is confident his team’s early-season non-conference games have prepared the Greyhounds for their conference opener.
“Games like we played against LaSalle help prepare us for the MIAA where we face similarly talented and well-coached teams twice a week,” he said.
St. Mary’s wins final tune-up before heading into conference schedule
Nick Doub scored three times to lead St. Mary’s to an 11-5 victory over Landon in boys’ lacrosse action on Friday afternoon.
The Saints, ranked No. 1 in the country by LaxPower, carried the momentum of a 9-2 halftime advantage to secure the win, improving their perfect record to 6-0, while halting the Bears’ five-game winning streak.
"Our early-season schedule is against some of the best teams in their respective conferences,” St. Mary’s coach Matt Hogan said when asked if their first six games have prepared them for the tough MIAA ‘A’ conference. “All of the games were very competitive against teams with quality coaching, and teams with success that will play the type of game we need in order to prepare for and work on adjustments during the game.”
The Saints’ perfect record will be put to the test on Friday when they host Gilman in the conference opener for both teams.
“At this time I have not watched Gilman on tape, seen them play, or had any lengthy discussions with anyone who has played them,” Hogan said. “I have a feel for who they are from playing against them last year, in the summer a bit, and from scores. As with all MIAA games, this will be a game that we prepare for, work hard in practice, make some adjustments, and work this week to improve. Gilman is an athletic, well coached team … and we know that.”
St. Paul’s beats Ohio visitor, showdown with Georgetown Prep looms
St. Paul’s wasn’t looking at its boys’ lacrosse game against Western Reserve Academy (Ohio) as a tune-up for Tuesday’s showdown with Georgetown Prep, but in the end, following a 17-10 win over their Ohio visitors, that’s exactly what it turned out to be.
St. Paul’s, which improved its record to 5-0 with the win, used four straight second period goals to take a 7-2 lead into halftime and never looked back.
The closest Western Reserve would get would be when they scored early in the fourth quarter to pull within five, 11-6. But the Crusaders answered quickly, scoring the game’s next six goals to secure the victory.
St. Paul’s was led by five players scoring hat tricks: Alex Chay, Zach Linkous, Taylor Michel and Pat Powderly. Powderly also tallied four assists, while Michel and Jeff Fountain dished out three each.
St. Paul’s out-shot Western Reserve, 55-26. Crusader goalie Harry Krieger turned away seven shots to record his fifth win of the season.
Archbishop Spalding girls sign national letters of intent
Six members of the Archbishop Spalding girls’ lacrosse team have committed to play lacrosse in college next year.
Team captains Danielle Kirk (Maryland) and Stef Paskal (Denver) recently signed national letters of intent along with teammates Rachel Hannon (Jacksonville), Kat Gartner (Longwood), Cosette Larash (Johns Hopkins) and Katie Vautier (York).
Archbishop Spalding will take a 6-0 record into Monday afternoon’s game against Mercy.
