By Tom Peace
TopLaxRecruits.com, Posted 5/14/13
TOWSON, Md. – Top-seeded Boys’ Latin rallied from a 9-4 deficit to defeat defending champ Calvert Hall, 12-10, today in the first game of the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association (MIAA) semifinals at Towson University’s Johnny Unitas Stadium.
The Lakers (19-0), ranked No. 1 by TopLaxRecruits.com, advance to Friday’s championship game vs tonight’s McDonogh-Loyola Blakefield winner at Towson (8 p.m.).
“We gave up one goal in the second half; I think we showed the heart of a champion,” said BL coach Bob Shriver. “Win, lose or draw Friday, that is something I can (always) remember, (being) down five goals at halftime (and then winning).”
Goalie Christian Knight was the star for the Lakers with 14 saves, many that kept them alive when the Cardinals (11-6) were dominating. One big reason the Cards started so strong was the wizardry of senior face-off specialist-MF Stephen Kelly, who won 23 of 26 face-offs and plucked 17 groundballs.
BL’s Colin Heacock (three goals) notched his first goal of the day with 9:15 left in the third quarter, and the Lakers began their comeback. Michael Lynch followed to make it 9-6 with 8:00 left in the quarter and Heacock scored again with 6:41 remaining.
Shack Stanwick (three goals, one assist) scored unassisted to bring BL within 9-8 with 31 seconds left in the quarter and then scored again with just 18 seconds left to tie it on one of the year’s most memorable goals (see Kudda.com replay).
“He made so many great saves that kept giving us a chance,” said Shriver. “We said at halftime, ‘You can’t make up five goals all at once. You have to get them one at a time.
“The biggest goal was the one at end of the third period (by Stanwick) that got us back tied. Shack must have reached up 20 feet in the air and he just stuck it.”
The third quarter turnovers for Calvert Hall: eight!
Keegan O’Connor gave BL a lead temporarily early in the fourth period before Calvert Hall’s Carson Dutkanych tied it, but Heacock completed a hat trick with 6:28 left to put the Lakers up for good.
BL’s Tal Bruno then scored off of a T. Moyer assist to add insurance with 4:57 remaining. Calvert Hall made one last-gasp try to rally, but Boys’ Latin killed a man-up opportunity as Knight made one of his many key saves.
“We weren’t playing good defense and we weren’t picking up any groundballs,” said Shriver of the halftime assessment. “We were getting the crap beaten out of us. Calvert Hall had a lot to do with it; they had us back on our heels. I think they had us on groundballs like 5 to 1 or 6 to 1 at halftime.
“We got a little more aggressive,” said Shriver. “The whole defense played great. It was an exhausting game. I can tell you that much.”
Calvert Hall coach Bryan Kelly praised the Lakers and said his team did not have quite enough depth to slay the giant.
“Honestly, I am proud of our team,” he said. “The kids competed hard. Stephen Kelly showed you why he is so special.
“But I give them a lot of credit. They deserve it. Christian Knight closed the door – I really think he was the hero of the game; he just made great saves.”
Coach Kelly said the game was a classic MIAA playoff game.
“People who were here got to see two great teams play,” he said. “Our seniors have really competed hard. They did a great job; (BL) had better depth. I am happy for BL.”
Calvert Hall
Andrew Fanshaw 3G 1A
Johnny Kelly 2G
Timmy Kelly 3A
Stephen Kelly 1G 23-26 F/O, 17 GB
Jordan Germershausen 1g, 1a
John Belz 1g
Carson Dutkanych 1g
David Fritz 1g
Ethan Mintzer 1a
Joe McSorley 6 saves
Boys’ Latin
Shack Stanwick 3G, 1A
Colin Heacock 3G
Ben Pridemore 2G
Casey Rees 1a
Michael Lynch 1g
T Moyer 1g, 1a
Bryan Lichtenauer 1a
Keegan O’Connor 1g
Tal Bruno 1g
Christian Knight 14 saves
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