Catholic
High's defense is simply smothering its C Conference lacrosse opponents
this season. Coming off a 4-1 win over Beth Tfiloh on Monday, the Cubs
added Baltimore Lutheran to the list yesterday with a 12-2 win, at
Herring Run Park. Catholic (8-0, 11-0) remains undefeated and has held
its two closest opponents to a combined three goals in the last two
days.
Coach Matt Bowen's practices must
surely include time devoted to defense. Whatever it is they cover, the
Cub players have carried it over to the field on game day. In eight
league games to date, Catholic has outscored opponents, 87-20, or 10.9
goals per game to 2.5. It has allowed only one or two goals in six of
its eight outings. Mount Carmel scored four in one game and Lutheran
scored six earlier in the season.
Lutheran (7-2, 8-3) managed only two
yesterday. The Cubs led 8-1 at the half and never looked back. Bowen
not only got a great defensive effort, but also got about as balanced a
scoring attack as a coach could hope for. Six players had double-digit
games, led by Olivia Baker with three goals and an assist. Stephanie
Parker, Caitlin Lawrence, Klaudia Furman and Sara Thompson all had
two-goal games, and Lawrence added a apir of assists. Katie Koza got in
the act with two assists.
Stepahnie Lawrence only needed to make
four saves, as the defenders in front of her handled their roles to
near perfection. The Saints have scored 89 goals in seven games versus
the rest of the league, 12.7 per game. But against Catholic, they have
managed just six and two, or four per game. As the saying goes,
"defense wins games." One or two goals will not win many games.
Catherine Kennedy and Alora Gullivan
scored the Lutheran goals. Goalie Aimee Chotikul certainly did her part
in keeping the Saints in the game, making an eye-popping 28 saves
(unless that's a misprint?! from the boxscore).
Lutheran is now in a battle for second
place. The 7-2 Saints visit 7-1 Beth Tfiloh this Thursday. The two
will meet again next week on Wednesday.
The last big obstacle in the path of
Catholic's quest for an undefeated regular season is a return match
with Beth Tfiloh, next Tuesday in Pikesville. The Cubs also have three
other league games remaining, but have handled those foes by eight or
more goals in previous games. Upsets can occur, but for now the
Warriors have the best shot at derailing the Cub machine. But they will
have to score some goals, something few opponents have been able to
against the Catholic defense.
Catholic 12, Baltimore Lutheran 2
Goals: L-Kennedy, Gullivan; C-Baker 3, Perry 2, C. Lawrence 2, Furman 2, Thompson 2. Assists: L-Kennedy; C-C. Lawrence 2, Koza 2, Thompson, Baker, Green, Anderson. Saves: L-Chotoikulo 28; C-S. Lawrence 4.
Half: C, 8-1.
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