By Harry Chaykun
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 4/27/19
The Archbishop Carroll girls’ lacrosse team prides itself in playing a tough non-league schedule.
The Patriots knew what kind of challenge they would face when they learned they would be taking on Springfield-Delco, one of the stronger Central League teams and – like Carroll – a team that hopes to make noise in the PIAA Class AA tournament, which begins in about a month, at the 19th Katie Samson Foundation Lacrosse Festival.
Carroll used its superiority on draw controls as well as a standout effort in goal from senior Julia Dellarata in earning a 12-7 decision over Springfield on Radnor High’s Encke Field Saturday morning.
The Pats (10-3 overall, 7-0 Catholic League) secured possession on 12 of 13 draws in the first half, then the teams split even at 4-4 after the break.
“Possession is everything,” Carroll coach Lorraine Beers said. “That’s why the job that Madison (Henry), Kellie Ann (Matey), and Keri (Daly) did was so important today.
“And Julia was fantastic in goal.”
The numbers show that Matey had seven draw controls, including six while the Patriots were building a 9-3 halftime lead. Henry, who initiates the play on the draw, claimed the ball five times (four in the first half), while Daly chipped in with three draw controls.
“We don’t get to practice it that much,” said Henry, a senior who is headed to Bryant University. “But we’ve played together so long that we’ve learned what each other is doing.”
Henry scored the first goal of the first half and the first goal of the second half. Amber Germer was Carroll’s leading scorer with three goals and two assists, and sophomore Karli Dougherty chipped in with two goals and one assist.
Dellarata turned away 11 Springfield shots and was delighted with the way her teammates raced out to a 5-0 lead before the game with 12 minutes old. Germer and Julia Downs took turns scoring and assisting each other in plays 40 seconds apart for the fourth and fifth goals.
Mary Finley and Dougherty got goals late in the opening half to give the Pats a six-goal advantage after the first 25 minutes.
The teams traded scores in the second half before Springfield’s Belle Mastropietro picked up her two goals to closing out the scoring.
“We knew this would be one of our tougher games,” Dellarata said. “I’ve played in the summer with Belle and Julie Schickling, and they’re good players.
“Mr. Hewitt (assistant coach Jeff Hewitt) has been working with me and helping me a lot. The big thing for our defense is making sure we stay involved and stay focused on the game. We have to be sure we keep talking.”
Mastropietro (two goals, one assist) was the only Springfield player with more than one point.
“We’ve had some good games with them over the years,” Beers said of the Cougars, who the Pats defeated for the PIAA Class AAA championship in 2017. “And we still have to play (Central League co-leader) Radnor. We have some games to look forward to and make sure we are ready for.”
Archbishop Carroll 12, Springfield-Delco 7
Springfield-Delco 3 4 – 7
Archbishop Carroll 9 3 – 12
Springfield-Delco – Isabelle Mastropietro 2G 1A, Olivia Pace 1G, Casey O’Connor 1G, Julie Schickling 1G, Erin Gormley 1G, Alyssa Long 1G.
Archbishop Carroll – Amber Germer 3G 2A, Karli Dougherty 2G 1A, Madison Henry 2G, Julia Downs 1G 1A, Kiley Mottice 1G 1A, Kellie Ann Matey 1G, Mary Finley 1G, Alex Cabahug-Almonte 1G.
Saves – Dana Mirigliano (S) 6, Julia Dellarata (AC) 11.
