Girls Lacrosse: Upper Dublin Battles in Victory Over Ridley, 14-10

Wednesday morning’s meeting between the Upper Dublin Cardinals and the Ridley Green Raiders was one of streaks and momentum-shifts.

In the end, it was Upper Dublin’s team effort that outlasted a six-goal performance by Ridley’s Lacie Doubet.

Within the first three minutes of the game, Upper Dublin took a commanding 3-0 lead, a familiar feeling for a team that has won its last seven games. However, three first-half goals by Ridley’s Doubet, along with a goal by Lisa Saraceni, countered Upper Dublin goals by Brooke Callahan, Emily Hitchings and Kelly Cross, making the score 5-4 in favor of the Lady Cardinals.

After Jenn Levy knotted the score at 5-5, Kaley Weinstein’s defensive interception gave the Lady Cards an extra possession and allowed Taylor D’Ginto to score off of an assist by Kelly Cross as the first half came to a close.

Going into halftime with her team leading 6-5, Upper Dublin head coach Dee Cross took a moment to talk to her team.

 “It’s like starting over, except this time we have a one-goal lead,” Cross said. “Just take it one goal at a time, and tighten it up on defense.”

Apparently the team was listening, because strong defensive play from defenders Steph Speese, Lily Morreale, Anna Petrucci and goalie Anna Lauer allowed the Cardinal and Gray to go on a key offensive streak and take a 10-5 lead to begin the second half.

However, Ridley once again worked its way back into the game, punching in three more goals to bring the score to 10-8. Following an Upper Dublin timeout, the Cardinals saw goals from Emily Hitchings, Kaley Weinstein, Brooke Callahan and Anna Trentini, giving them a 14-9 cushion.

“They were pressuring out a lot, so we knew we could take them one-on-one and work the give-and-go’s,” said Hitchings, who finished with two goals and three assists for Upper Dublin.

Doubet urged her team to fight back, but her goal at the end of the second half was too little, too late, and the Lady Cardinals improved to 8-1 on the season.

“Ridley is in the Central League and plays great competition all the time, so I knew they would be a very physical, tough team,” said Cross. “A game like this is invaluable because it teaches the girls how to step up on defense, and every possession is so important; this is a good type of game for us.”

 The Lady Cardinals will return to league play next week as they travel to Plymouth Whitemarsh on Tuesday, April 26.

Upper Dublin:

Goals: Kelly Cross (4) Brooke Callahan (3), Emily Hitchings (2), Anna Trentini (2), Taylor D’Ginto, Megan Rock, Kaley Weinstein

Assists: Kelly Cross (5), Emily Hitchings (3)

Ridley:

Goals: Lacie Doubet (6), Jenn Levy, Kelly Loftus, Lisa Saraceni, Kelsey Yori

Assists: Carly McColgan, Kelsey Yori