Total Team Effort By Girls Lacrosse Falls Just Short Against Bishop Sullivan
In their most intensely battled contest of the season, Cape Henry fell to top seed Bishop Sullivan yesterday, 14-12, in the TCIS semifinals. The Dolphins set the pace, both offensively and defensively, from the first whistle to the last and did not let up once. The Crusaders got on the board early, up by two, but the Dolphins attack answered back with patient and effective play. It was a one goal game for most of the first half with the Dolphins ahead 6-4 until a free position by the Crusaders with :01 remaining in the half cut the Dolphins lead to one. At the start of the second half, Bishop Sullivan immediately tied the score off the draw, but Cape Henry continued to battle. The score was within one goal until the Crusaders were able to convert four straight goals to gain momentum and the biggest lead of the game. Unfazed, the Dolphins stayed in the game, playing exceptionally tenacious defense and working for good offensive opportunities, but fell just short when the final whistle blew. Outstanding play was registered by every Cape Henry player, especially on the defensive end where a Bishop Sullivan player did not get to hold the ball for longer than three seconds before being aggressively double-teamed. Anchoring the defense was again goalie Meghan McKnelly, who posted nine saves on the day, and she was backed by phenomenal play from defenders Alexis Smith, Payton Schaubach and Maddie Houck. Offensively it was a total team effort, with goals tallied by Megan Bradley (one), Regan Haegley (five), Ashmore Standing (three), Alison Riccio (one) and Jordan Mahone (one). The Dolphins now wait to hear their final seeding for next week’s VIS tournament and will likely host a quarterfinal game on Tuesday (4:30pm).