By Chris Goldberg
TopLaxRecruits.com, Posted 3/18/13
Milton (GA) nearly held its own against one giant last week, and then knocked off another.
The Eagles used a late rally to shock No. 9 Vero Beach (FL), 14-13, on Saturday in girls’ lacrosse at the Citrus Bowl in Vero.
Just a day earlier Milton had given No. 1 McDonogh (MD) a battle in defeat, 11-8. Against Vero Beach, Milton rallied from an 11-6 deficit early in the second half and took a 13-11 lead with a stunning 7-0 spurt before holding on for the win.
Senior Caroline Youngs excelled in goal in both games (24 saves) while seniors Annie Ruland (USC, 3G, 4A), Mackenzie Lech (San Diego State, 2G) and Molly Garrigan (Elon, 3G, 1A) paced the Milton attack. Other scorers included: Annie Shenk (Elon, 1G, 4GBs), Emily Velez (1G), Lydia Cassada (Northwestern, 1G, 2A), Melissa Teel (Richmond, 1G, 1A, 2GBs 2FTOs, Brooke Winsness (1G, 2A), Hannah Davis (1G), and Emma Harden (VA Tech, 1G).
The Eagles, now ranked No. 9, made some adjustments after falling behind Vero Beach.
“They jumped out to a five-goal lead and we tried to change a couple things around tried to get the momentum going our way and it worked,” Godby said. “We were able to get some and maintain possession.
“This is definitely a big boost in confidence,” he added. “McDonogh has won over 70 games in a row (71) and Vero Beach is one of top programs in the country every year.
“We finally got a big win against a program like that. We don’t get the exposure they get in the Northeast. I like the boost, but I hope it’s not too big of a boost because we have some big games left to play. We have to continue to work hard.”
Katy Pridemore led Vero Beach with five goals. It was Vero Beach’s second loss in four days as the Fighting Indians also fell to No. 1 McDonogh, 12-6, on Wednesday.
Vero Beach – which has won 101 straight games against Florida opponents – has its first two-game losing streak in six years. The Indians lost to St. Mary’s (Md.) 14-7 and Canandaigua Academy (N.Y.) 9-7 in April of 2007.
In the loss to McDonogh, Milton took a quick 2-0 lead and stayed within range, at 7-5 at the half and within 9-7 midway through the second half. Elizabeth George and Megan whittle led McDonogh with three goals each while Posey Vallis and Savannah Buchanan each had two goals.
“We came out and battled them,” said Godby, whose team has won seven of the past eight Georgia state titles. “We struggled against their defense. We had a lot of opportunities and dominated possessions and draws and groundballs, but we had some turnovers and missed opportunities.
“We weren’t used to playing a team that played that kind of defense so we weren’t able to get over the hump. But I was pleased with how well we played them.”
The TopLaxRecruits North America Preseason Girls’ Rankings
1. McDonogh School, Md. (2-0) Prev: No. 1
2. St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes, Va. (0-0) Prev: N. 2
3. Bryn Mawr, Md. (0-0) Prev: No. 3
4. St. Anthony’s, N.Y. (0-0) Prev: No. 4
5. Moorestown, N.J. (0-0) Prev: No. 5
6. Notre Dame Prep, Md. (0-0) Prev: No. 6
7. Bay Shore, N.Y. (0-0) Prev: No. 7
8. Garden City N.Y. (0-0) Prev: No. 8
9. Milton, Ga. (4-1) Prev: NR
10. Shoreham Wading River N.Y. (0-0) Prev: No. 10
11. Georgetown Visitation, D.C. (0-0) Prev: No. 11
12. Mt. Hebron, Md. (0-0) Prev: No. 12
13. Marriotts Ridge, Md. (0-0) Prev: No. 13
14. West Genesee, N.Y. (0-0) Prev: No. 14
15. Chatham, N.J. (0-0) Prev: No. 15
16. Century, Md. (0-0) Prev: No. 16
17. Maryvale Prep, Md. (0-0) Prev: No. 17
18. Mendham, N.J. (0-0) Prev: No. 18
19. Severna Park, Md. (0-0) Prev: No. 19
20. Radnor, Pa. (0-0) Prev: No. 20
Under Consideration: Cherry Creek, Co. (1-0); Farmingdale, N.Y. (0-0); Manhasset, N.Y. (0-0); Ridgewood, N.J. (0-0); Vero Beach, Fla. (7-2); Westwood, Mass. (0-0).
