TopLaxRecruits.com, Posted 3/27/15
Staff Report

The Agnes Irwin (PA) lacrosse team opened its spring break with a bang, defeating 10-time defending Florida State champion Vero Beach, 8-7, in a non-league game Thursday in Davemport, FL.

In a game that featured four ties and three lead changes, junior captain Laura Pansini fired home a free position with less than five minutes on the clock to put the Owls ahead for good. Sophomore goalie Hailey Andress made a key save down the stretch and Kate White and Kate Chernitsky controlled crucial ground balls to help Irwins maintain possession and run out the clock for the victory.

Vero Beach (11-2) is ranked No. 17 in the STEPS Lacrosse North America Rankings. Agnes Irwin is 4-0.

“Our defense was outstanding today and our ability to control the draw was critical,” said Jenny Duckenfield, Agnes Irwin head coach. “Their goalie had a great game and we had to be able to maintain possession in the offensive end.”

Agnes Irwin Junior Emily Fryer dominated the midfield with five ground balls and five draw controls, and classmate Hannah Keating added another five draw controls.

“This was the most fun lacrosse game I have ever played,” Fryer said “It was about more than lacrosse, it was about heart and character and being a team. I am so happy to be able to share this with these girls.”

Vero jumped out to a 4-1 lead, but Agnes Irwin reeled off five straight goals to take a 5-4 lead with 17:08 left in the second half. After a 30-minute delay for lightning, Vero scored twice to regain the lead, 7-6. Irwins scored the next two goals, the final goal coming from Pansini with 4:19 on the clock.

Hannah Keating and Lila Barker each contributed a hat trick on the offensive end. Andress made six saves and the Agnes Irwin defense, led by U19 National Team player Sarah Platt, combined to cause five turnovers and scooped up 20 ground balls.

“This was a team effort,” Duckenfield said of a squad that only won two games in 2012 but last year shared the Inter-Ac League title with Episcopal Academy. “The girls really gutted it out and found a way to win against a very talented team. This win is a testament to the hard work they have put in to build this program over the last three years.”

No. 1 McDonogh School 18, No. 14 Roland Park 14

The Eagles (6-0, 2-0 IAAM) led by as much as 15-4 early in the second half before holding on for the win. Roland Park fell to 3-1 in the league, 5-2 overall.

Also in the IAAM, Notre Dame Prep (2-2 league) dealt John Carroll (2-1 league) its first league loss, 13-12 and No. 13 Severn School improved to 3-1 overall and in the league with a 16-11 victory over Garrison Forest.