By Derek Toney
TopLaxRecruits.com, Posted 4/11/15

OWINGS MILLS, Md. – Yet another challenger went down today to the McDonogh School Eagles.

In a matchup of the No. 1 and No. 4 teams in the STEPS Lacrosse Girls’ Rankings, the No. 1 Eagles routed visiting Bishop Ireton (VA), 14-4.

Senior midfielder Elizabeth George scored four goals for McDonogh (11-0 overall), and Savannah Buchanan and Andi Aldave each recorded hat tricks. Junior attack and Naval Academy commit Kelly Larkin scored twice for Bishop Ireton (8-1).

The defending national champ Eagles went on an 8-1 first half run to grab command, extending their national-record winning streak to 123 games. McDonogh’s latest triumph comes on the six-year anniversary of its last loss – a 12-10 decision at home to New York’s Canandaigua Academy.

The Eagles marked it with their best performance of the season. They did it without their top player in Duke recruit Olivia Jenner, who suffered a high ankle sprain in McDonogh’s victory over St. Paul’s School for Girls (MD).

“We rose to the occasion. Losing Liv gave other kids a chance to step up,” said McDonogh coach Chris Robinson. “For whatever reason, we were mentally here today. It’s been such a long grind, everybody’s been taking their best shot at us.”

Added George:”We came in knowing we had to get off to a quick start. We’ve had a lot of competitive games.”

The Eagles began turning the game into a rout over the final 12 minutes of the opening half as George, who will attend Princeton, scored off a free position. Aldave, freshman Julia Hoffman, junior Brindi Griffin and Catie May followed with scores, sending McDonogh into halftime with a 9-2 lead.

With an extra-man advantage to start the second half, the Eagles tacked on a free position strike from Kelsey Cummings and a George finish off a quick flip scoop pass from May, expanding the lead to 11-2 with 23:25 remaining. The final eight minutes was running time after an unassisted tally from Buchanan.

May, a sophomore attack committed to Maryland, finished with a goal and a pair of assists for McDonogh. Brittany Dolan and North Carolina recruit Charlotte Sofield, who the Eagles focused on defensively, each tallied for Ireton.

“Early in the game we weren’t winning draws and they got up on us,” said Bishop Ireton coach Rick Sofield. “We had some good looks.

“The plays we ran were working, we just weren’t finishing. If we finish in those situations we get a little momentum and maybe it’s a different game.”

McDonogh School (Md.) 14, Bishop Ireton (Va.) 4

McDonogh School 9 5 – 14
Bishop Ireton 2 2 – 4

Goals: Bishop Ireton – Kelly Larkin 2, Brittany Dolan, Charlotte Sofield; McDonogh – Elizabeth George 4, Andi Aldave 3, Savannah Buchanan 2, Kelsey Cummings, Brindi Griffin, Julia Hoffman, Maddie Jenner, Catie May

Assists: Bishop Ireton – Kayla Duprrouzel; McDonogh – May 2, George

Saves: Bishop Ireton – Amelia Cole 6; McDonogh – Gabby Cadoux 6