Collegiate Upends Cardinals to Advance to VISAA title game, 9-8

Freshmen Kelly Larkin is one of the many bright stars logging varsity experience the Cardinals hope will pay big dividends down the road.

Bishop Ireton saw turnovers and draw controls put them in a 7-3 hole at halftime and even an inspired second half left them just short in falling 9-8 to Collegiate School of Richmond Friday on the Cougars’ home field.

The Cougars never trailed in the first half, pulling away from a 2-2 tie to bolt to the 4-goal halftime bulge, taking advantage of Cardinal miscues, playing strong defense and getting exceptional goaltending. The play of both keepers was especially strong, particularly in the second half.

Ireton came out in the second half, pressed the home team with defense and Olivia Cole was impenetrable in the net. On the offensive end of the field, Ireton played a more patient, deliberate style and forced the green-clad Cougars to call a time out after pulling to 7-6. Charlotte Sofield tied the game at seven before Kelly Larkin’s crossing pass was tipped into the net and gave the Cardinals their only lead of the day at 8-7 at 10:12.

Collegiate would stiffen, shutting out Ireton the rest of the way and score their first goal of the half at 16 minutes into the period. They then wrestled the lead back with five minutes to play.

The third-seeded hosts packed their defense at the 12 meter arc while Ireton moved the ball around the perimeter probing for an opening for much of the game’s final minutes. The Cardinals got their chance when sophomore Kelly Mathews was fouled but her free position shot resulted in a spectacular save and a ground ball to the Cougars. Ireton would never regain control of the sphere in the final minutes as Collegiate worked the delaying game around the perimeter.

The game was a rematch of the 2012 semifinals, last year it was Ireton that pulled the upset to move on to the finals against St Stephens. Once again this year, the victorious Cougars get the tall order of facing the Saints for a state title.

Ireton returns to Cambridge Road 17-5 on the season, disappointed in the loss no doubt, but losing only three seniors from the squad that made its second consecutive state semifinal, as well as its first appearance in the WCAC finals only days before for the first time since 2009.