Howard boys lacrosse earns 16-4 win over Centennial in Class 3A East region quarter

A week ago, Howard defeated Centennial by a goal in overtime.

The Lions spent a bulk of that game on defense and were determined to not let that happen again. This time, it was the Eagles who were on their heels, unable to sustain possessions against Howard’s stifling ride.

Leading by one after the first quarter, No. 4 seed Howard outscored No. 5 Centennial by five in the second and pulled away in a commanding 16-4 win. Howard advances to face top-seeded Westminster in a Class 3A East Region I semifinal Friday night.

“We were organized. That had a lot to do with it,” Howard coach Shea Conway said of the ride. “We wanted to make sure that were organized in the ride, and I felt like that if we could get organized and ride, then we might give ourselves some opportunities to get some extra possessions. That was the main goal because we wanted to take a little pressure off our defense.

“The last time we played them, we played a lot of defense, and I thought we valued the ball more today when we did get possession of it. I was really pleased with the way that we rode tonight.”

The teams exchanged goals early as Lucas Mena started the scoring for the Lions and Aidan Krawczyk for the Eagles. Then, Dylan Treese broke the stalemate late in the first to give the Lions a lead. They took complete control in the second, as Mena and Jayden Denicola scored 34 seconds apart to quickly push the advantage to three.

Howard (11-4) was just getting started. Matt Baur scored the first of his teamhigh-tying four goals, while Treese and Taylor Williams also scored to push the Lions’ advantage to 8-1. Howard controlled possession for much of the quarter, winning faceoffs and causing turnovers on the ride to regain possession.

“A lot of reps throughout this week,” Howard senior attackman Dominick Giangrasso said. “Matt and I talked this morning and said, ‘Let’s be some dogs on the ride today.’ That’s what happened.”

Centennial (6-7) got one back shortly before the first half ended and Luke Offutt brought the Eagles within five less than a minute into the second half. However, Howard quickly responded on the ensuing faceoff. Long-stick midfielder Grant Peffall caught a feed on the fast break from Denicola and beat goalie Angelo Rosata, energizing the Lions’ sideline.

Peffall’s goal was the first of eight straight for the Lions from early in the third quarter to late in the fourth.

OTHER BOYS LACROSSE SCORES: Manchester Valley 20, Oakland Mills 2:

In the opening minutes of Wednesday night’s Class 2A West region quarterfinal, Manchester Valley coach John Piper called a timeout. With the Mavericks frustrated by Oakland Mills’ style of play, Piper begged for more energy.

Much like he has all season, JT Calhoun stepped up and led the charge as Manchester Valley dominated on the way to a 20-2 victory.

“After the timeout, we settled down,” Piper said. “Started moving our feet a lot more and found some open guys.”

Calhoun led the way for the Mavericks with five goals and one assist. The senior continues to prove why he is considered one of the best players in Carroll County heading into the playoff stretch.

“This season, he’s really done a good job of settling the ball down and keeping us on point when we start to panic,” Piper said.

In what has been an up-and-down season for the Mavericks, the team has grown together and started the playoffs hot, with eight players scoring Wednesday.

After earning a trip to the regional semifinals Friday against Glenelg, Piper is confident that with Calhoun leading the charge, his team will be ready. He knows how such a dominant showing against Oakland Mills will only push Calhoun and the rest of the team to go harder.

“Time to tighten up our X’s and O’s, hydrate and prepare,” he said. “I know we’ll be ready for our next challenge.”

Crofton 21, Arundel 2 Girls lacrosse

Elia Alewine made 12 saves but the Eagles fell to the host Bruins in an Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland B Conference semifinal. Abby Bunker (two goals) and Abby Bach (one goal) scored for Indian Creek. Park will face St. John’s Catholic Prep, an 18-1 winner over Friends, in Saturday’s championship at 7:30 p.m. at US Lacrosse in Sparks.

Park 16, Indian Creek 3:

Arundel 19, Oxon Hill 1 North Harford 21, Elkton 2 Century 23, Wilde Lake 1 Mt. Hebron 10, Centennial 6

Boys tennis

Manchester Valley 5, Winters Mill 0

St. Mary’s 3, St. John’s Catholic Prep 2

Boys golf

Severn 18.5, John Carroll 2.5