Area stars shine but lose in Classic

Boys, girls teams each fall, 13-12, to North standouts

By Todd Karpovich | Special to The Sun

July 13, 2008

Under Armour All-America Lacrosse Classic

The South's Jennifer Hardesty (9) and Alisa Konishi defend their net. The South trailed most of the game but couldn't hold a late lead against the North. The South boys started quickly but couldn't stop a North rally. (Sun photo by Monica Lopossay / July 12, 2008)

The Baltimore area is widely considered the center of the lacrosse universe, and even though local players had strong showings in last night's Under Armour All-America Lacrosse Classic at Towson University, it was not enough to help the South win either game against players from the North.

Girls from the Baltimore area accounted for 14 of the 22 roster spots on the South team, and they played a part in every goal their team scored in a 13-12 loss to the North. On the boys' side, five of the eight local players named to the team suited up, but the South also lost, 13-12.

"It was an amazing experience," said South coach Scott Corrigan, who stepped down as McDonogh's coach at the end of the high school season. "The kids were so coachable. When you look at their eyes in the huddle, you know they've been in that position before. You can tell they have been asked to make the play. Everyone played great."

In the girls game, the North opened a big lead and then fought off the South's second-half rally. Courtney Kirk (Roland Park) led the South with three goals, and Karri Ellen Johnson (Broadneck) and Casey Ancarrow ( John Carroll) each scored two. Josie Owen (Severn), Allyson Carey (John Carroll), Julie Gardner (Severna Park), Ashley Kimener and Liz Hamilton (Roland Park) also scored for the South.

Goalie Dana Cahill (Mercy) had four saves.

Erin Brennan, a Pennsylvania recruit who was the game's Most Valuable Player, and Shannon Smith, who is headed to four-time NCAA champion Northwestern, led the North with four goals each.

After the South had trailed the entire game, consecutive goals by Johnson, Kirk, Gardner and Ancarrow tied the score at 11 with 8:30 left. Carey, The Sun's All-Metro Player of the Year, scored with 4:51 left to give the South a 12-11 lead.

However, Smith tied it two minutes later and Brennan scored the game-winner with 1:15 remaining.

The North dominated the early part of the game and scored four unanswered goals to close out the first half with an 8-3 lead at the intermission.

"Coming into the game, we thought we were going to play really well, but on the field, it's a totally different experience," said Kirk, who will room with Carey at Vanderbilt in the fall. "I think after the first half, we got it together. The second half was a lot better with the great comeback. We loved playing with each other. It was really fun."

In the boys game, the South scored six of the game's first eight goals but was held scoreless for long stretches that allowed the North back in the game. The North tied the score at 7 on goals by Michael Chanenchuk and Joe Resetaritas 11 seconds apart with nine minutes left in the third quarter.

The teams then traded goals before Tim Rommel scored the game-winner for the North with 57.8 seconds left.

Jake Bernhardt, the Player of the Year from Central Florida who is headed to Maryland; Colby Wilson, a Georgetown recruit from Ohio; and Roy Lang, a two-time All-American from California, led the South with two goals each. Joe Cummings (Loyola) and Mark Staines (Severn) also scored for the South.

North goalie Steven Rastivo was named MVP after stopping nine shots.

Steele Stanwick (Loyola) was named to the South team but did not play because of an injured hand. Goalie Tyler Fiorito, The Sun's All-Metro Player of the Year from McDonogh, was named to the team but was in Canada with the under-19 national team. Joey Ehrmann of Gilman also could not play because of football practice at Wake Forest.

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Area stars shine but lose in Classic

Boys, girls teams each fall, 13-12, to North standouts

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Area stars shine but lose in Classic

Boys, girls teams each fall, 13-12, to North standouts

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