By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com,Posted 7/6/13
TOWSON, Md. – Alex Poplawski has always been known as much for her standout defensive skills as she has for her scoring and ability to win draw controls.
So when she noticed that the North All-Star team was loaded with talented offensive players, she volunteered to play defense in the second half of tonight’s Under Armour All-American Senior Game at Towson University’s Johnny Unitas Stadium.
Her unselfish play was one reason the North used an 8-0 run to claim an 18-16 victory tonight.
“In the first half I played midfield, but because the whole team was practically midfielders I volunteered to play defense,” she said. “They put me back (at midfield) for the draws.”
The North trailed, 11-9, early in the second half before going on its binge. Cortney Fortunato (Northport, NY) led the attack with four goals and four assists and was named the MVP. Taylor Poplawski (no relation) of Christian Brothers Academy (N.Y.) added four goals for the North.
Meanwhile, Alex Poplawski contributed two draw controls and a groundball. Her defense helped hold the South to three goals in the first 20 minutes of the second half.
“After the first time out (of the second half) they said, ‘We need groundballs and 50-50s; that was the focus,” said Poplawski.
Poplawski, who is headed to Stanford, said the level of play was higher than she had ever seen.
“It’s awesome,” she said. “It’s so much faster; definitely like college, I guess. But it was fun playing with so many top girls.”
Also for the North, Alex Moore (Allentown, N.J.) had a goal and two groundballs.
2013 Under Armour All-America Classic
North All-Amer Girls vs South All-Amer Girls (Jul 06, 2013 at Towson, Md.)
North All-Amer Girls (6-2) 18, South All-Amer Girls (2-6) 12
Date: Jul 06, 2013 Location: Towson, Md. Stadium: Unitas Stadium
Attendance: Start time:5:15 PM End time:7:12 PM Total time:1:57
SCORE BY PERIOD 1 2 Tot
——————————-
North All-Amer Girls 7 11 – 18
South All-Amer Girls 8 8 – 16
North All-Amer Girls SCORING: GOALS: Cortney Fortunato 4; Taylor Poplawski 4; Colleen Lovett 2; Marisa Romeo 2; Jillian Doherty 1; Maggie Bill 1; Elizabeth Cusick 1; Alexandra Moore 1; Lindsay Biondi 1; Maura Schwitter 1.
ASSISTS: Cortney Fortunato 4; Colleen Lovett 2; Jillian Doherty 1; Taylor Poplawski 1.
South All-Amer Girls SCORING: GOALS: Sydney Holman 4; Carly Reed 2; Sammi Burgess 2; Steph Lazo 2; Casey Black 1; Annie Ruland 1; Zoe Stukenberg 1; Haley Bordner 1; Deborah Milani 1; TEAM 1.
ASSISTS: Casey Black 2; Samantha Brookhart 1; Carly Reed 1; Annie Ruland 1; Zoe Stukenberg 1; Morgan Torggler 1.
North All-Amer Girls GROUND BALLS 25: Alexandra Dalton 4; Caroline Fitzgerald 4; Callahan Kent 4; Maggie Bill 2; Elizabeth Cusick 2; Alexandra Moore 2; Kelsey Youmell 2; Lindsay Biondi 1; Olivia Hompe 1; Alex Poplawski 1; Taylor Poplawski 1; Lily Schmitt 1.
South All-Amer Girls GROUND BALLS 24: Alex McKay 6; Caroline Federico 4; Casey Black 3; Maggie Preas 3; Maggie Auslander 1; Haley Bordner 1; Sammi Burgess 1; Tess McEvoy 1; Carly Reed 1; Kelly Reese 1; Zoe Stukenberg 1; Morgan Torggler 1.
North All-Amer Girls TURNOVERS CAUSED 13: Callahan Kent 3; Alexandra Dalton 2; Caroline Fitzgerald 2; Maura Schwitter 2; Maggie Bill 1; Elizabeth Cusick 1; Cortney Fortunato 1; Kelsey Youmell 1.
South All-Amer Girls TURNOVERS CAUSED 6: Maggie Auslander 2; Maggie Preas 2; Casey Black 1; Tess McEvoy 1.
SHOTS – North All-Amer Girls 33; South All-Amer Girls 36.
SHOTS ON GOAL – North All-Amer Girls 24; South All-Amer Girls 26.
TURNOVERS – North All-Amer Girls 22; South All-Amer Girls 24.
DRAW CONTROLS – North All-Amer Girls 15; South All-Amer Girls 20.
CLEARS – North All-Amer Girls 19-26; South All-Amer Girls 18-23.
GOALIES – NORTH: Callahan Kent (30:00 minutes, 14 shots-6 saves, 8 GA), Emily Kift W (30:00, 12-4, 8); SOUTH: Caroline Federico (30:00, 12-5, 7), Meagh Graham L (30:00, 12-1, 11).
Start time: 5:15 PM Finish time: 7:12 PM Length of game: 1:57
Officials:. Scorer: Thomas Cason.
T-1:57
MVP: Cortney Fortunato (Northport, N.Y./Northport/Notre Dame)
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