It was a difficult loss to an Independent Schools League rival and the first real setback for St. Andrew’s girls lacrosse team this season.
But if the Lions wanted to sulk about losing at Maret on Wednesday afternoon they had less than 24 hours to get over it. A year ago they may not have and another close loss would have followed.
But that’s not the case for St. Andrew’s this time around. Even when pushed by visiting ISL rival Flint Hill in a competitive first half on Thursday afternoon the Lions did what they do best, making the necessary second-half adjustments to turn a tight game into a relatively easy 12-6 victory.
“We used last year as a learning experience,” said senior midfielder Megan Towe, who was part of team last season that lost four games by four goals or less and finished 5-8. “We just had trouble keeping everything together. But this year there is not one girl on this team whose desire can be questioned.”
Towe scored a game-high four goals for the Lions (5-2, 4-1 ISL) while junior goalie Margaret Rose Hart made eight saves. Midfielder Rachel Kaworski led Flint Hill (3-8, 1-4) with two goals.
St. Andrew’s led just 5-3 with 23 minutes left in the game.But the Lions scored five straight goals over a 4:47 stretch midway through the second half to break things open, including a pass from midfield that Towe caught in stride near the net and snapped past the Flint Hill goalie.
“We seem to keep things pretty tight in the first half of games like this,” said fifth-year Flint Hill coach Amy Clement. “We just struggle sometimes to carry that over to the second half. But I do think we’re making progress.”
New and improved
» St. Andrew’s and Flint Hill both compete in the Independent Schools League A division.
» Flint Hill is eligible for the Virginia Independent Schools state tournament, which will be held for the first time this season. Previously, only a boys lacrosse state private school tournament was officially sanctioned in Virginia.
» Junior midfielder Becka Becker totaled three goals and two assists for St. Andrew’s while junior attack Johanna McManus tallied three goals and an assist.
