John Carroll's Allyson Carey has McDonogh School's Brooks Ann Lawler closing in during Saturday's IAAM A Conference lacrosse finals at St. Paul's School. Carey, who's headed to Vanderbilt University, and the Patriots completed an unbeaten season with a 11-6 victory.
McDonogh coach Chris Robinson (center) gets his squad ready for battle in the second half Saturday. After pulling within a goal, the Eagles were unable to keep up with John Carroll, which claim its second consecutive IAAM A Conference crown.
After his team's loss to John Carroll School in Saturday’s IAAM A Conference lacrosse finals, McDonogh School coach Chris Robinson made a stirring statement.
“I think Allyson Carey might be the best player I’ve ever seen on the high school level,” he said.
Carey, a member of U.S. national under-19 squad, didn’t have a point Saturday for the second-ranked Patriots. It didn’t matter as John Carroll was nearly flawless before a huge audience at St. Paul’s School’s Levering Field, putting a stamp on an 18-0 campaign.
Senior midfielder Grace Gaeng and junior midfielder/attack Brittany Dashiell each scored three goals for the Patriots, and juniors Cori Gray and Katie Kiriazoglou each added two goals and an assist. Junior attack Molly Fernandez and freshman Brooks Ann Lawler had two goals each for No. 3 McDonogh (18-3).
After the Eagles pulled to within 6-5 in the early second half, John Carroll shut down the Owings Mills school behind solid play from goalie Lauren McGehee (10 saves), and senior midfielder/attack Casey Ancarrow (four assists) directing the offense. The Bel Air school is the first to win consecutive IAAM A Conference titles.
“We played as a complete team,” said Ancarrow, who’s headed to James Madison University. “There wasn’t one weak part. It was a complete team effort.”
“We had a couple of tough games during the playoffs, but we pulled it together,” said Carey, who will next play for Vanderbilt. “Today we were ready and came to play.”
After surviving upsets bid by St. Paul’s and Notre Dame Prep earlier in the week, John Carroll never trailed after Dashiell’s unassisted goal made it 4-3 in the opening half. She gave the Patriots added momentum going into halftime, going up to take in a throw-in from Gray and scoring at the buzzer for a 6-3 advantage.
“Everyone on our team contributes,” said Dashiell. “This is a once in a lifetime team.”
Determined to ruin John Carroll’s fairy tale season, McDonogh controlled the early moments of the second half, pulling to within 6-5 on goals by Katie Matz and Fernandez. In a postseason that tested their mettle, the Patriots answered the challenge with a charge that showcased their talent.
Dashiell, who’ll be a cornerstone for John Carroll’s attempt for a third crown next spring, took a pass from Ancarrow and fired a shot past Eagles’ goalie Morgan Fiorito (eight saves). Ancarrow, mastering the Patriots’ attack like a point guard in basketball, spotted Gaeng for back-to-back scores, extending the lead to four.
Lawler brought the Eagles to within 9-6 with her second tally, but McGehee made her final moments memorable, repelling several point blank-shots. The Patriots dominated on draws, winning 15 of the first 16.
“We lost the game on the circle,” said Robinson, whose team only losses came against John Carroll and Virginia’s St. Stephen’s & Agnes, the Washington area No. 1 team and nation’s No. 3 team by LaxPower.com. “You give a team with that much talent that many opportunities; you’re not going to win the game.”
The Patriots were the hunted all season with a roster featuring nine college-bound performers. John Carroll coach Krystin Porcella said the Patriots were able to handle all the distractions.
“We tried not to focus on an undefeated season or the rankings,” said Porcella. “It was hard towards the end once the playoffs started and pressure started to build, but we straighten everything out. Each year is different, each team’s complexion is different.”
“We were kind of an underdog last year, and this year we had a target on our back,” said St. Bonaventure-bound McGehee. “We were able to persevere through two different situations. It shows how strong our team is.”
IAAM A Conference Lacrosse Championship
at St. Paul's School
John Carroll School 11, McDonogh School 6
Goals: McDonogh-Fernandez 2, Lawler 2, Matz, Rhea; John Carroll-Dashiell 3, Gaeng 3, Gray 2, Kiriazaglou 2, Ancarrow.
Assists: McDonogh-Franklin; John Carroll-Anacarrow 4, Kiriazaglou, Gaeng, Gray.
Saves: McDonogh-Fiorito 8; John Carroll-McGehee 10.
Halftime: John Carroll 6, McDonogh 3.
A Conference Bracket