Loyola?s dominance in the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference continues, but not by much.
The Dons claimed their second straight conference title with a 12-11 victory to deny Gilman its first perfect season in school history and first league title in eight years on Tuesday night at Johnny Unitas Stadium in Towson.
Attacker Joe Cummings had three goals and an assist for Loyola, which lost the regular season meeting against Gilman, 17-7, on April 22.
For most of the game, Gilman (19-1) and Loyola (14-4) proved why the MIAA is considered by most to be the premier high school lacrosse league in the country. The game was close in the first half, as neither team led by more than a goal, as there were six ties and six lead changes in the opening 30 minutes.
But Loyola made its first push in the third quarter. Cummings scored twice before senior midfielder Anthony Golden extended the to 10-7 with 10 seconds left in the quarter.
Gilman rallied in the fourth quarter, as it scored three straight goals to tie the game at 10 on a goal by junior midfielder Jack Doyle with 7:07remaining. But Loyola countered, as the Dons regained the lead, 11-10, on a goal by midfielder Neil Hutchinson with 5:52 remaining. Loyola, which was led by senior attacker Steele Stanwick (one goal, three assists) and Colin McKew (two goals, one assist) also won a league title in 2001.
Junior attack Dave Emala finished with six goals and junior attack Marcus Holman had a goal and an assist for Gilman.
B CONFERENCE
Brandon Capaletti scored two goals and Kevin Ruth added a goal and an assist to lead Curley to an 8-5 win over John Carroll.
The difference in the game came in the fourth quarter, as Curley (16-1) outscored the Patriots, 4-2, to secure their second straight conference title. Defensively, senior goalie Michael Lioi finished with 17 saves for Curley.
“John Carroll surprised us in the first three quarters,” Capaletti said. “But in the end we had the heart to pull it out.”
Senior goalie Stephen Farrell had 14 saves and senior midfielder Graham Archer scored twice for John Carroll (14-3), which lost to Curley three times this season. The Patriots trailed the Friars, 3-1, after the first quarter before narrowing the deficit to 4-3 entering the fourth quarter following a goal by junior midfielder Luke Phipps. John Carroll was denied its fifth league title and first since 2004.
C CONFERENCE
Senior midfielder David Nesbit scored five goals and had an assist as Cardinal Gibbons upset regular season champion St. Johns Catholic Prep, 12-7.
The win represents the first MIAA title for Gibbons, which outscored St. Johns, 9-3, in the second half. Senior midfielder Pat Hathaway scored three goals and junior attack Dave Stark had two goals and an assist for the Crusaders (15-6), who avenged two regular season losses against the Vikings (18-5). St. Johns went 13-0 in league play during the regular season.
