TopLaxRecruits.com,. Posted 5/10/16
Staff Report
In a game for the ages, Bishop Ireton rallied for a 10-9 win Monday in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference championship game is being played at the University of Maryland’s Ludwig Field in College Park, MD.
The Cardinals (18-3), No. 5 in this week’s STEPS Lacrosse Rankings, were down 9-5 with 8 minutes to play when Kayla Duperrouzel scored all three of her goals to spark a 4-0 run that made it a 9-9 game. Bishop Ireton ran an EMO play to Conference Player of the Year Kelly Larkin, who was fouled with 10 seconds left and on the free position found sophomore Lexi Ledoyen for the go-ahead goal.
Chloe Johnson took the draw for Good Counsel (18-3, No. 7) and raced down field where she put a difficult shot on goal with a second to play, but Amelia Cole (11 saves) stopped the shot to preserve the win.
“I think the team held its composure by staying positive,” said Cole. “Our coach told us at halftime we could go up by 3 goals or down by 3 goals; all we’d have to do is keep fighting.
“When we ended up going down by 4 that’s exactly what we started to do. I think I’ll look back on this win as one of my favorites. I’ve never been a part of a team with this kind of chemistry. I have to say I’m going to remember playing with them more then I will remember winning.”
What did Cole think as Johnson came bearing down for the potential tying goal?
“When I saw Chloe coming down the field I had no idea what to expect,” said Cole. “She’s an amazing player and I knew she could easily tie things up in those last few seconds. All I knew was to get ready for the shot and try my hardest to get my stick there.”
“It was an unbelievable game,” said Bishop Ireton coach Rick Sofield, whose team had dropped a 9-7 decision to Good Counsel earlier in the year. “Kelly’s pl;ay was selfless. What 18-year-old does that?
Madison Mote added three goals for Bishop Ireton while Ledoyen and Kate Carney each scored twice. Larkin dished two assists and Maggie Lohrer had four draw controls while Lizzie Lohrer added three draws.
Bishop Ireton now heads to the Virginia Independent School tournament, which features No. 2-ranked St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes.
“Coming off of this win, it feels amazing,” said Cole. “We are all so ready to give it our best heading into the first round of the VISAA’s. But right now we are taking each game one by one. We are keeping Saint Stephen’s in the back of our minds right now heading into another round of playoffs. We’re taking each moment we get to step onto that lacrosse field like it is our last.”
