McDonogh boys fall short against D.C. power St. John’s
Eagles fall in title game of National Lacrosse Showcase
The McDonogh boys lacrosse team was looking for a daily trifecta Friday at the National High School Lacrosse Showcase at Blandair Park in Columbia.
After reaching the championship game with wins over Seton Hall Prep and rival Calvert Hall, the Eagles met their match in D.C. power St. John’s.
The Washington Catholic Athletic Conference champions dominated the second half of the White Session title game to secure a 5-2 win over McDonogh.
With the game tied at 2 at the half — all tournament games consisted of two 22-minute halves, with a running clock for the first 20 minutes — the Cadets got a goal from Mac Haley 12 seconds into play to break the tie. Gavin Kelly and John-Luke Duley added goals and goalie Caleb Fyock stopped eight McDonogh shots in securing the win.
For the Eagles, who went 4-2 in the two days with several key players out of the lineup, the national showcase served as valuable time spent on the lacrosse field.
“It was awesome to be back with the guys, especially with the way our season ended,” said rising senior midfielder Hugh Brown, referring to the Eagles’ loss to Boys’ Latin in the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference semifinals. “We were missing some keys guys, but really banded together and had a great run. We just ran into a really talented St. John’s team tonight.”
McDonogh goalie Anthony Wilson also finished with eight saves to help keep the Eagles close, including a sparkling stop against Haley with 4:22 left.
“It was great. Summer tournaments are always a blast and way more fun,” Wilson said. “Obviously, it’s super competitive but everybody is having a blast out there, so it’s really fun.”
Jack Raley and Ben Firlie scored the Eagles’ first-half goals.
McDonogh advanced to the championship game with a 9-7 semifinal win over MIAA rival Calvert Hall earlier Friday.
The Eagles led 6-2 midway through the second half, and the Cardinals cut the lead to one on two occasions, but never got closer.
Rising sophomore Chase Green scored three goals, including a pivotal tally to make it 9-6 with 2:40 to play, and Wilson made eight saves.
On Thursday, in the White Session of the inaugural NHLS girls championship game, Gator Lax, the team representing St. Paul’s, claimed a 14-7 win over ABC, a Pennsylvania-based team from Archbishop Carroll.
Recent St. Paul’s graduate Christina Gagnon led the way with a four-goal, one-assist performance, while Kendall Steer, Josie Hahn and Frannie Hahn each scored twice. Lauren Steer added one goal and three assists.
St. Paul’s captured the Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland A Conference championship with a 17-8 win over McDonogh on May 15.