Boys Lacrosse Playoffs: Dulaney Tops Catonsville For Regional Title

In a final offensive burst, Catonsville’s Brendan Healy put his shoulder down and drove into the middle of the Dulaney defense with 15 seconds to play in the game, looking for miracle. With two Lions’ players pressuring, Healy chucked a desperation heave toward the goal, sailing well over the net.

The Comets outscored Dulaney 3-0 in the fourth quarter, but the run was too late, as the Lions captured the 3A/4A Regional Championship Wednesday evening on the field at Franklin High School with a 7-5 victory.

“It was yet another game where we started cold and got hot late,” said Catonsville head coach Aaron Stubbs. “This time, Dulaney was just too much for us to be able to count on winning based on a late run.”

Dulaney held Catonsville scoreless in two quarters, the first and the third. In the second and fourth, the Comets didn’t manage to break through until the closing minutes of either period. In the second quarter, down 4-0, the Comets scored twice in the final two minutes, including a diving goal off a rebound by Greg Abschedrew with 16.6 seconds left in the period. In the fourth, two Healy goals and a score by Drew Carlson had the Lions forced to kill the clock in the final minute to sustain the victory.

It was Dulaney’s consistent pace on both ends of the field throughout the game to earn the championship and continue their season. Lion senior Jack Dana shined on the offensive end and, perhaps most importantly, in the face-off circle. Dana won the first five face-offs of the game and eight of the first 10. He also scored two goals including the Lions’ final goal of the game with just two seconds on the clock in the third quarter.

“Jack Dana has been one of the hardest working players we’ve had all season and tonight he just did what he’s been doing all year,” said Dulaney head coach Kyle Fiat.

Winning face-offs both sustained the Dulaney offense while limiting Catonsville’s opportunities to gain momentum and mount a comeback. 

“Possession is my biggest job. When I can win face-offs and get possession for our team, it gives us a chance to control the game and that’s our best bet at winning,” Dana said.

Dulaney has won six of its last seven games, the only blemish being a loss to Hereford in the Baltimore County title game. With the victory, they move on to the state semifinals this weekend, which will be held at Arundel High School.

For Catonsville, their season comes to a close after making a run that few expected. A young squad that counts several freshmen and sophomores in its regular rotation were looking to rebuild this season, and coach Stubbs views the team’s trip to the regional finals a success.

“We weren’t supposed to be here with the number of inexperienced players on our roster. We made had a great season and our guys have nothing to be upset about because they played their hard and showed a lot this year,” said Stubbs.