WILMINGTON — Saint Mark’s scored eight straight goals, which was enough to overpower Padua as the Spartans earned a 12-7 girls lacrosse victory over the Pandas on April 11 on the turf at the Chase Fieldhouse.
It was a seesaw early on, with the teams trading the first four goals. Chloe Cogar put the Pandas on top, 3-2, with a low shot past Spartans goalie Mackenzie Fanning, a goal made possible by several ground ball wins for Padua. That was the score at the end of the quarter, as Pandas goalie Abby Johnson came up with two big saves, and a Padua shot rang off a post.
Fanning stopped a Pandas shot in the opening moments of the second, but a Spartans turnover gave the ball back to Padua. They cashed in, with Cogar crossing through the middle and going left top shelf. The Pandas won the ensuing draw and had another quality chance, but Fanning again made the stop.
A ground ball a few minutes later led to a free-position opportunity for Padua, and Cogar struck once more, pushing the lead to three.
After another Johnson save, Padua was bit by the turnover bug, and this time, Katie Hanich converted a free-position shot for the Spartans. That pulled Saint Mark’s to within a pair and started their big run that would change the tenor of the contest. The Spartans carried extra momentum into halftime with a goal in the final 30 seconds.
Johnson stoned Quinn Carney to begin the second half, but the Spartans weren’t discouraged. They continued to apply pressure, and Carney tied the game with a free-position shot. Marcelle Kappes gave Saint Mark’s its first lead, scoring into the top of the net. A minute later, Lauren Daly went upstairs to increase the lead to 7-5.
A save by Fanning began a counter that resulted in a goal for the Spartans. They added two more before the quarter ended, with an aggressive defense and solid goaltending most often being the catalyst for the offense.
Riley Bransfield scored a pair of goals as the fourth quarter got going, but Saint Mark’s Chloe McCormick answered to end that short run. Carney added an insurance marker after a Padua penalty.
Hainch and Daly each had three goals for the Spartans, and Fanning was credited with 10 saves. Saint Mark’s (3-2) travels to Caravel on Monday for a prime-time showdown at 6:15 p.m.
Padua (0-4), which has just one senior on the roster, will visit Tower Hill on Saturday at 2 p.m.
Photos by Mike Lang.
