LANDON LACROSSE 9 ST. PAUL’S 12

These two schools have had a competitive history of back-and-forth battles. The 2023 contest repeated history for much of the dreary Friday, just before both schools headed for spring vacations. The Crusaders arrived in Bethesda riding the momentum of a win over the Hill School (PA not Canada) and a well-stocked roster (11 DI, 1 DII and 1DIII). 

Landon caused the scoreboard operator (Mr. Mann) to add one to the Bears’ register when AZ ZAID, a DM, used his speed to clear the ball to ANTHONY PANETTI for a goal @10:36. The Crusaders went on a 3 goal run (at 8:45, at 6:08 and at 4:26) all on fastbreaks. The home team equalized the score on CADEN SOUTHWOTH to TROY ULISNEY goal @ 7:38. The Brooklandville team added its 4^th goal at 1:09 and for the 1^st time in this game, did so on a settled basis. CHASE ROBERTSON showed his Ute speed by circling the SPS goal and when he reached GLE left beat the goalie (Lehigh Commit) @ 0:03.5.

ZACH ABRAMSON stood tall in the 6’ x 6’ polygonal face and 3 bases ending in an apex at the back. He saw 5 shots and saved 1[ these are neither official numbers and likely subject to correction.] 

END OF 1^ST Q BEARS 4 CRUSADERS 4

The next 12 minute stanza began with a Crusaders’ fast break at 9:55. The home boys responded with 2 goals to take a 6-5 lead—ANTHONY P showed his acceleration from X to beat SPS netminder @8:11. DAVIS OWENS, the other stellar LSM, caused a turnover and sprinted the length of the field to mark the go-ahead mark @ 5:16. Three fast breaks by the SPS team (at 2:32, at 2:03 and at 1:02) put them ahead. 

ZACH stopped ~4 SOGs in this period. 

HALFTIMECRUSADERS 8 BEARS 6

Q3 was less strenuous for the scoreboard operator. Crusaders notched their 9^th at 6:15, whilst Mr. Banfield’s team cranked up its next @ 5:32 on EMO- CHASE to ANTHONY SAVOY –goal. 

ARTHUR SMINK defended to Bears’ nets stopping 4 SOGs 

END OF Q3 CRUSADERS 9 BEARS 7

The last section of this moist, cold contest fell to SPS- goals at 8:15, at 6:46 and finally at 5:37. The determined Bears did not fold. Another FB generated by ELI SMINK’s causedturnover, his one man clear and an assist to DAVIS’ goal. @3:24 the SAVOY-to-ROBERTSON connection caused the Bears’ total to reach 9. 

FINAL CRUSADERS 12 BEARS 9

The squad travels to FL to play Canterbury School (5-6) coached by Rick Kirschner L83, PU 87 (played lax at both) and then IMG Academy Black (2-0 with a 2 goal win over DeMatha).