This time, the St. Paul's lacrosse team was able to finish what it started.

Only a few days after failing to maintain an early lead during last week's near-upset victory at sixth-ranked Georgetown Prep of Rockville, the Crusaders won, going away, 11-5, on Tuesday over the same Cherry Creek of Colorado team which was coming off of an 11-8 upset of the Crusaders' Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference rival Loyola.

The Crusaders got a game-high six goals from Adam Johnston and dominated both faceoffs and ground balls in building leads of  6-2, at halftime, and, 8-2, entering the fourth quarter in what serves as a tuneup for Friday's MIAA opener opposite Loyola, the defending MIAA A Conference champion.
 
The Crusaders (2-4), who allowed their visitors to come within, 8-5, before pulling away, are ranked 12th in the DigitalSports-Maryland State Lacrosse Coaches' Association Top 20 compared to fourth-ranked Loyola, which began the year ranked No. 1 in the Digital-MSLCA as well as nationally.

Tyler Feeley scored twice with an assist, Peter Smyth scored twice, and Jeff Fountain had a goal and an assist for the Crusaders, winners of two of their past three games after an 0-3 start.

Alex Chay and Gordy Long each had two assists, with one assist each from Xander Leanos and Pat Powderly. Smyth won five of six draws and Mike Faby, nine 14 for an overall advantage of 14-to-6 in faceoffs for the Crusaders.

Long had eight ground balls, Faby scooped six, and the Crusaders enjoyed an overall edge in that category of 39-22. Defenders Jake Fradkin, Scott Matthews, Peter Windsor, Chris Wilson and Matt Lunnen were resolute in front of goalie Harry Krieger (12 saves).

Bryan Price scored twice for Cherry Creek, with two assists from Mike Biemford. Hamilton Blair, Ryan Link and Nick Bailey scored once each for the Bruins, who received a 12-save effort from Jeff Barton.

Injured playmaker Cliff Larkin of St. Paul's could return for Friday's game against the Dons, said Crusaders' coach, Rick Brocato.

St. Paul's 11, Cherry Creek 5


Goals: SP - Johnston 6, Feeley 2, Smyth 2, Fountain 1.C - Price 2, Blair 1, Bailey 1, Link 1. Assists: SP - Fountain 2, Chay 2, Long 2, Powderly 1, Leanos 1, Feeley 1. C- Biemford 2. Saves: SP - Krieger 12. C - Barton - 12.

Half: 6-2, SP.