Cardinals edged in OT of lacrosse home opener

Cardinals gather late in the 4th quarter of the game with Rockhurst of Kansas City.

Bishop Ireton’s home opener was a thriller, but with :19.9 left in the first overtime, Rockhurst High School of Kansas City scored the game-winning goal, topping the Cardinals 7-6. The setback overshadowed a 17-save effort by junior Ryan Verducci, who kept the Cardinals in the game throughout.

Neither team could gain more than a one-goal advantage on a sunny, wind Sunday afternoon. Rockhurst took a 1-0 lead, Reed Thompson scored the first of his two first half goals to get Ireton on top. Cory Conway tallied twice in the second half to pick up the Cardinals down the stretch.

Ireton would edge ahead by a goal only to see the Hawklets counter. With 5 minutes to play, Verducci kept the Cardinals ahead with 4 spectacular saves in a span of 15 seconds. It was a back-and-forth afternoon, strong play by the goalies, evenly played between the squads.

Rockhurst tied the game late with a relentless offensive attack that sent the match to overtime. The teams battled evenly into the 4-minute overtime before the visitors capitalized in the final rush for the win.

Bishop Ireton fell to 0-3, 0-1 in conference play. The Cardinals return to action on Tuesday when Maret visits Fannon Field at 4pm.