Since losing back-to-back games to Marriotts Ridge and Mt. Hebron, Howard has been working on its defense. That effort paid off with a 15-7 victory over Centennial on Tuesday. It was only the second time this season that the Eagles have been held to single-digit scoring.
"They switched up their defense and I think that caught us off guard," said Centennial senior Martha Hutzell.
Howard defender Catherine Sims held Hutzell, usually one of Centennial's top scorers, without a single point.
"She definitely shut me down around the crease, and I give her props for that," Hutzell said.
Sims returned the compliment.
"We knew she was a big threat," she said. "It was a total team effort."
Coming off last week's losses made the win over Centennial that much bigger. The two teams each have two losses in county, and are right next to each other near the top of the standings.
"We played two full halves of lacrosse today," said Katie Schluederberg, who had four goals, as did teammate Ella Orzechowski.
Howard 15, Centennial 7
Goals: Ho — Ella Orzechowski 4, Katie Schluederberg 4, Kelsey Savje 2, Kendall Wells 2, Jenny Kinsey 2, Rosey O'Connor. C — Samantha Courtemanche 3, Megan Oliver 2, Izzie Chausse, Allie Durkee.
Assists: Ho — Kelsey Savje 2, Katie Schluederberg 2, Kendall Wells, Ella Orzechowski. C — Samantha Courtemanche.
Saves: Ho — Sam Sagi 7. C — Anna Cosentino 4.
Halftime: Howard, 9-3.
In a game that favors the attack, it was Glenelg Country School's defense that helped the Dragons defeat Friends School, 11-10, Tuesday afternoon.
The Dragons' defense, anchored by keeper Kelly Layton, kept Friends from scoring in the last 1:30 of the game to clinch the victory.
"Kelly made some huge saves," said Glenelg Country School co-coach Paige Walton. The junior goalie made 11 stops.
The two teams entered the game with identical 7-1 Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland B Conference records.
As befitting their matching records, each team dominated one half. For Glenelg Country, it was the first half. The Dragons led, 7-2, midway through that period.
Friends then came on strong, narrowing the score to 7-5 early in the second half.
Goals by Alyssa Arnold and Hannah Glaros bumped the Dragons in front, 9-5, but Friends closed the gap to 9-7.
Glaros, Lizzy Rice and Megan Hooper give the Dragons strong midfield play.
Friends scored with 1:39 remaining to draw to within a single goal. That's when the Dragons' defense got stingy.
"It was a great game with two great teams," Walton said. "We needed to play together from end to end and I felt like we did that today."
As the schedule would have it, the two teams play again next Tuesday at Friends. The Quakers are the defending conference champion.
Glenelg Country School 11, Friends School 10
Goals: GCS —Alyssa Arnold 4, Julia Sheehan 3, Hannah Glaros 2, Lizzy Rice, Megan Hooper. F — Kaitlin Saraek 4, Irene Lunt 2, Rachel Kehoc 2, Marti Caplan, Alex Micelli.
Assists: GCS — Julia Sheehan, Megan Hooper. F — Maggy Sieglein, Marti Caplan.
Saves: GCS — Kelly Layton 11. F — Annie Blalock 7.
Halftime: Glenelg Country, 7-4.
Marriotts Ridge 23, River Hill 0
Caroline Blalock had four goals and four assists as Marriotts Ridge shutout River Hill.
Goals: MR — Caroline Blalock 4, Casey Sullivan 3, Katie Wardle 3, Emma Stukenberg 2, Annalise Lower 2, Caitlin Ohmnacht 2, Sarah Blalock 2, Lily Kennedy, Cassie Evans, Adrianna Mannerelli, Hayleigh Simpson, Cassidy Delaney. RH — none.
Assists: MR — Caroline Blalock 4, Emma Stukenberg 2, Annalise Lower, Caitlin Ohmnacht, Katie Wardle.
Saves: MR — Caroline Moore 7. RH — Stull 3.
Halftime: Marriotts Ridge, 15-0
Mt. Hebron 23, Atholton 8
Sorana Larson had five goals and Jen Giles and Jordan Stevens each had six assists as Mt. Hebron bounced back for its loss to McDonogh to defeat Atholton, 23-8.
Meaghan Quinn (four goals) was Atholton's top scorer.
Goals: MH — Sorana Larson 5, Erin Demek 4, Jen Giles 4, Jordan Stevens 4, Chachi Kelehan 3, Kaylee Toth 2, Ally Unkenholz. A — Meaghan Quinn 4, Emma Johnson 2, KK Shepherd.
Assists: MH — Jen Giles 6, Jordan Stevens 6, Sorana Larson. A — Meaghan Quinn.
Saves: MH — Jen Schaaf 8. A — Yasi Brewer 9.
Halftime: Mt. Hebron, 8-4.
Reservoir 17, Edgewood 6
Goals: Re — Haley Tiller 4, Michelle Armstrong 3, Alex Sadzewicz 3, Anna Janush 3, Juliet King, Elena Martino, Maria Janush, Rebecca Harding. E — not available.
Assists: Re — Anna Janush 5, Alex Sadzewicz 4, Elena Martino 2, Michelle Armstrong, Maria Janush. E — not available.
Saves: Re — Elizabeth Hyde 10. E — Not available.
Halftime: Reservoir, 9-1.
Wilde Lake 11, Hammond 4
Tess Kostelec had four goals and Kate Glaros three as Wilde Lake won its first game of the season at Hammond's expense.
Goals: WL — Tess Kostelec 4, Kate Glaros 3, Julia Bohse 2, Nicole Sciabarra, Taylor Baird. Ha — not available.
Assists: WL — Nicole Sciabarra 2.
Saves: WL — Jenna Oler 13. Ha — not available.
Glenelg 20, Long Reach 4
Monday's game:
Reservoir 22, Oakland Mills 5
Goals: Re — Haley Tiller 3, Anna Janush 2, Megan Lieb 2, Alexis Bartley 2, Michelle Armstrong 2, Alex Sadzewicz 2, Maria Janush 2, CeCe Bartley, Juliet King, Sophia Valentino, Elena Martino, Emily Rowell, Rebecca Harding, Darci Fehr. OM — Morgan Carroll 3, Jania Suryn 2.
Assists: Re — Anna Janush 9, Haley Tiller 3, CeCe Bartley 2 Michelle Armstrong 2, Megan Lieb, Alex Sadzewicz. OM — none.
Saves: Re — Elizabeth Hyde 3. OM — Leah Roberts 4.
Halftime: Reservoir, 17-2.
Standings (as of April 21)
Mt. Hebron, 7-0 county, 9-1 overall
Marriotts Ridge, 7-1, 9-1
Glenelg, 7-1, 10-1
Howard, 6-2, 9-2
Centennial, 5-2, 5-2
Reservoir, 5-3, 7-4
Atholton, 4-4, 4-4
Long Reach, 1-5, 1-5
Hammond, 1-5, 2-6
River Hill, 1-7, 2-8
Wilde Lake, 1-7, 1-9
Oakland Mills, 0-8, 0-9
Glenelg Country, 8-1 (IAAM B), 8-3
Chapelgate, 3-6 (IAAM C), 4-6