By Tom Peace
TopLaxRecruits.com, Posted 3/28/15

BALTIMORE – MVP Carter Flaig scored early into overtime to lift St. Paul’s School (MD) to a 9-8 thriller over Georgetown Prep in the opener of the PNC Lacrosse Invitational tonight at Ridley Complex at Loyola University.

The Crusaders (6-2) led almost the whole game and never trailed, but saw the Little Hoyas (5-1) tie the game three straight times before Flaig won it on a man-up opportunity.

“When we got man-up gong into overtime and we knew we had a chance and went with our bread-and-butter 3-3 set and Jack Pollard made a good look to me and we converted,” said Flaig.

“It’s a good win against a real quality opponent and I know we showed some heart at the end. We are looking to keep the momentum going.”

Flaig had two goals and two assists and Alex McGovern added two goals while goalie AJ Barretto made 11 saves.

“The defense stepped up big time and AJ and everyone was stepping up back there,” said Flaig.

Jack Olson scored three goals and won 13 of 14 face-offs for Georgetown Prep, which came back from an early 5-0 deficit. The Little Hoyas, though, were hurt when a penalty was called with one second left in regulation.

“We spotted them five goals so I was proud of the kids and the way we battled back, but hard it’s hard to start OT man-down,” said GP coach Charlie Horning. “But the kids played hard. There is nothing better than (this setting). Going against St. Paul’s, it’s a greata day; I wish we could have come out on the winning side.

“We had a lot of young kids that stepped up who had never seen the field in a big game. They were a little starry-eyed in the beginning, but they kept their composure late and if we had shot a little better I think we would have been more successful.”

St. Paul’s has been working through a lot of injuries.

“Lots of guys are stepping up; our philosophy is the next man up,” said McGovern.

McGovern said the win is one small step with the goal of an MIAA championship.

“Of course we’re trying to get the championship every year and we’re trying to have guys not have a drop-off in any game,” he said. “We want to play four full quarters.”

Added Crusaders coach Rick Brocato: “I didn’t think we made great decisions with the ball after that first five goals run, but maybe that was because we were playing so much defense. That was the best game this group has played. They did a great job that’s very well disciplined on offense and AJ Barretto stepped up huge and made some great saves.

“This was a gut-check win.”

Georgetown Prep 0 3 3 2 0 -8
St. Paul’s 4 2 1 1 1 -9

Georgetown Prep SCORING: GOALS: Jack Olson 3 (13 of 14 FO); Matty Gardiner 2; Austin McDonald 1; Terry Lindsay 1; Kevin Dunne 1.
ASSISTS: Austin McDonald 2; Terry Lindsay 1.
Goalie – AJ Barretto 54:25 8 allowed 11 saved

St. Paul’s SCORING: GOALS: Carter Flaig 2; Alex McGovern 2; Dawes Milchling 2; Jack Pollard 1; Kyle DiPietro 1; Ben Bagil 1.
ASSISTS: Carter Flaig 2; Jack Pollard 2.
Goalie – Joey Altemus 54:25 9 allowed 7 saved