Stone Ridge is off to the best start in school history. Two weeks ago, the Gators upended defending Washington Catholic Athletic Conference champion Good Counsel. Last week they beat Georgetown Visitation for the first time in Jill Marks’ nine years as head coach.
With increased focus on the team, some are just discovering Gators star Kaitlin Duff, which is a mystery to her coach.
“Kaitlin’s been playing this well for the last two seasons,” said Marks. “For some reason, some people are surprised she’s this good.”
The stats back up Marks’ claim. Duff had 128 goals in the previous two seasons, earning first-team honors in The Examiner and Independent School League. Duff’s ability didn’t go unnoticed by college scouts. Before the season, she signed with NCAA power Virginia.
This year, however, Duff’s heroics have propelled Stone Ridge (10-0) to more success than in the past. So far, the skilled speedster has 62 goals, including five each against Good Counsel and Visitation. She also had a nine-goal binge in a 14-10 win over Episcopal.
On Friday, Duff faces the ultimate test as Stone Ridge travels to St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes. The Saints have not lost a game in the ISL since falling in the tournament quarterfinals to Georgetown Visitation in 1994. Last year, SS&SA rampaged to a 20-8 win at Stone Ridge.
“Intimidation is always a factor when you play them,” said Duff after the Good Counsel victory. “But winning games like this has given us more confidence than we’ve ever had. We’ll be ready.”
