Shorthanded Aquinas holds off Steinbrenner

Terry Crowley, who oversees the entire St. Thomas Aquinas lacrosse program, took a very deep breath after a remarkable game on Friday.

“I’m glad I took my blood-pressure medication,” Crowley said.

Crowley was joking but the reason for his nervousness was the Aquinas girls — because of accumulated yellow cards — played nine against 12 for the entire second half and yet managed to conquer Tampa-area Steinbrenner 8-7 in a Class 2A state semifinal in Kissimmee.

Raiders junior Julia Backenstrass scored the game-winning goal with two minutes left, snapping a 7-7 tie.

It was Backenstrauss’ first goal of the season, and it came on her only shot of the game.

“I had three girls on me, and I knew I had to get around them,” said Backenstrauss, who had never scored a goal for Aquinas in her two years at the school. “I knew I was athletic enough. My speed helped me out.”

Aquinas led 4-2 at halftime, but the Raiders were hit with six yellow cards. For the first three yellow cards, Steinbrenner got a power play. After that, one girl was sent off with each additional yellow.

“Our girls were outstanding,” Crowley said. “That was one of the most courageous performances I’ve ever seen.”

Steinbrenner, which had no players disqualified for the balance of the game, chased Aquinas all over the field.

Still, Ava Yovino led the Raiders with four goals. Backenstrass, Ava Martino, Peri Riegner and Taylor Bank each had one goal.

Goalie Skylar Troyan made 13 saves, and Aquinas held off a Steinbrenner penalty shot that could’ve tied the score with 10 seconds left in the game had it not been for a key defensive play by Martino.

“She was a lefty,” Martino said of the Steinbrenner shooter. “I hit her stick, and it went out of bounds. We all went screaming in — it was lights out.”

The third-ranked Raiders (12-1), who have never won a state title in girls’ lacrosse, will play fourthranked Vero Beach (16-1) for the championship on Saturday at 5 p.m. in Kissimmee.

As for Friday’s game, Aquinas coach Kevin Gilligan admitted he was tense playing three players down.

“That’s the first time I’ve seen that happen in all my years playing lacrosse, watching lacrosse and coaching lacrosse,” said Gilligan, who won a national title as a player for the University of

North Carolina.

“I was nervous, but we do all kinds of drills in practice, five against two or six against four.”

Conditioning was a key for the Raiders.

“During the season, Monday is run day,” Gilligan said. “I’m glad our girls are in shape because we ran our tails off today.”

Martino said the Raiders have plenty in the tank left for Saturday.

“We’re not tired,” she said. “We’re ready to play.”