Natalie Irwin and the Cardinals head into challenging stretch as Flint Hill, Visitation, and Good Counsel visit Fannon Field in a 96-hour stretch beginning Saturday.
The Bishop Ireton Cardinals girls’ lacrosse team beat WCAC opponents Holy Cross 13-6 in Kensington, MD, on Tuesday, April 1; and Bishop McNamara 22-2 at Fannon Field in Alexandria, VA, on Wednesday, April 2.
With these two conference victories Bishop Ireton improves to 4-0 in the WCAC and 5-0 overall so far this season. The Cardinals are now top-20 nationally ranked by three major polls—Nike/US Lacrosse (#17), LaxPower.com (CCR 89.89—#2), and the StudentSports.com FAB 50 (#13).
Against the Tartans, the Cardinals were initially slowed in the first half by turnovers and a stubborn Holy Cross defense which played fairly tight on the perimeter of the eight-meter arc. BI led 4-2 at halftime after a key free position save by BI goalie Olivia Cole after time had actually expired. Holy Cross never got that close again as a patient Ireton team adjusted to their opponent’s defensive scheme, and methodically picked it apart in the second half with good passing, quick feet, and fast, accurate shots.
Kelly Mathews led the Cardinals with five goals and one assist and Charlotte Sofield had one goal and four assists. Kendal Cunningham had two goals and one assist, and Kelly Larkin had two goals. Kaitlin Luzik and Kayla Marshall each notched one goal and one assist. Christine Macey had two assists and Kayla Duperrouzel had one goal. Cole had eight saves for the third straight game.
Against the Bishop McNamara Mustangs, the Cardinals overwhelmed the visiting team from Forestville, MD, from the opening draw. Bishop Ireton got out to a 5-1 lead within the first five minutes of the game and never looked back. During the game 13 different Cardinals scored goals and nine BI players made assists.
Leading the Cardinals, Cunningham scored four goals; Mathews had two goals and three assists; and Macey had one goal and three assists. Kate Carney got two goals and one assist; Luzik and Larkin each notched one goal and one assist; Marshall earned one goal and two assists; Sofield had two goals and two assists; and Maggie Wiltsie had two goals. For the first time this season, both Cole sisters saw action as Ireton’s goalie during the game—senior Olivia and freshman Amelia.
According to the Washington Post’s All-Met Sports, during the ongoing 2014 season the Cardinals balanced scoring attack has seen 18 different players score goals while 12 different Cardinals have notched assists. So far this season the Cardinals are scoring an average 17.2 goals per game while allowing an average of only 4.8 goals per game by their opponents.
A visit by the Flint Hill Huskies to Fannon this Saturday, April 5, 3:00 p.m., caps off the Cardinals’ 10th Annual Lacrosse Day festivities.
The Cardinals start off next week with key home games versus area heavyweights Georgetown Visitation on Monday, April 7, and Good Counsel on Tuesday, April 8. Bishop Ireton finishes off next week on the road in Washington, D.C., against WCAC foe St. John’s on Friday, April 11; and in Richmond against Collegiate School on Saturday, April 12.
Go to http://152902.digitalsports.com/ for all the latest information on the Bishop Ireton Cardinals girls’ lacrosse program.
Want to watch the Bishop Ireton girls’ lacrosse team in action, but can’t make it to Fannon Field for a home game? Go to http://www.ffmsports.com and click on the Cardinals logo to sign up for LIVE, full-game broadcasts of the entire 2014 home season. There is also an archive section with full footage of all 2014 home games.
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