Considering that the Calvert Hall boys lacrosse team was down by eight goals to McDonogh early in the third quarter three weeks ago, the Cardinals were feeling just fine with the score tied at the same point Friday in the teams' second meeting of the season.
Taking over the game instead of trying to come from behind, the No. 2 Cardinals pulled away in a dominant second half for a sturdy 13-7 home win over the No. 1 Eagles in Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference play.
The Cardinals improved to 15-1 — avenging an 11-7 loss at McDonogh on April 21— and moved into sole possession of first place in the league's Black Division with an 11-1 mark, while the Eagles (14-3) fell to 10-2 in league play. Both teams have one regular-season game left. If Calvert Hall defeats visiting St. Mary's on Tuesday, it's assured of first place in the division and will receive a bye in the opening round of the league playoffs.
On Thursday, the Cardinals had the bigger runs and also scored the key goals to keep momentum on their side most of the way. Junior attackman Patrick Kelly led the way with three goals and two assists, and junior midfielder Kelton Black added three goals.
After falling behind 9-1 in the April loss to McDonogh, the Cardinals kept pace early this time with focus at both ends, also saving plenty for the finish.
"We realized the reason why we were behind [in the first game] is because McDonogh is simply good," Calvert Hall coach Bryan Kelly said. "They took it to us from the beginning, and I don't want to take anything away from them. We just felt like we had to stay in and couldn't let them get their runs. Our kids kept their composure and stayed focused throughout."
After McDonogh's Brady Faby tied the game at 5 off the opening draw of the second half, the Cardinals methodically took over. Black scored two straight goals — the first with 10:47 left in the third quarter and the second with 2:11 left — for a 7-5 lead.
When Brenny Daly cut the lead to 7-6 with 1:44 left in the third quarter, the Cardinals answered with goals from Sean Renehan and Stephen Kelly in the final minute of the quarter for a 9-6 advantage that wasn't threatened in the fourth quarter.
"I felt like our intensity and focus came through the entire game," Patrick Kelly said. "Both teams were playing extremely hard and both teams had a ton of fight in them, but we just bested them today. This is a huge confidence booster, especially with the playoff seedings. Now we're in potential to get the first-round bye, which is great — it's huge going into the playoffs and getting that rest."