by Stephen M. Lewis
DigitalSports Richmond
slewis@digitalsports.com
(804) 240-2191
GOOCHLAND – Lakers-Celtics in the 80s. 49ers-Cowboys in the 90s. Yankees-Red Sox right now.
It’s all relative, but St. Catherine’s-Collegiate field hockey is on this level of intensity and the Saints have bragging rights, at least for another week.
St. Catherine’s beat Collegiate 3-2 Tuesday, the Saints second win over the Cougars this season.
As a result, St. Catherine’s takes the LIS regular-season crown, and is happy about it.
“We’ve been preparing for this game,” Saints tri-captain Chaney Manganello said, “and knew how big it was to be LIS champions. We’ve been practicing for it and working for it since the beginning of the season. We just came out ready to play.”
The Saints were more than ready to play, putting up two early goals, both off corners.
The first was a bullet from Kali Vicars, as the sophomore midfielder unloaded on a shot passed Collegiate keeper Taylor Thomas.
Minutes later, SC racked up another penalty corner and took a little more care and time with short passes.
Eventually, Anna Sauer was open in front and deposited the ball for a 2-0 advantage only 13 minutes into the game.
“Every time we play St. Catherine’s, it’s the national championship for them,” Collegiate coach Karen Doxey said. “Everybody’s fired up.”
So were the Cougars after Janie O’Connor drew a penalty stroke and beat Kristen Wolenberg.
But the feeling was short-lived as only a minute later, Alexis Crittenden shocked Collegiate with St. Catherine’s third goal.
From there, the Saints had to fend off unbelievable defensive pressure from Collegiate, and many offensive opportunities.
Collegiate took 16 shots, and got a score from Margaret Williams midway through the second half, but would scratch no more as Wolenberg logged 15 saves.
“I really want to see the tape,” Doxey said when asked about the Saints’ first-half offensive success. “I’m really not too sure. I just think it’s people not marking.”
Mark an LIS championship to St. Catherine’s. The two could match up two more times as the LIS tournament begins next week, with the state tournament the week after.
“Scoring off the bat was really helpful because it built our momentum,” Manganello said. “It just kept us going. We just kept fighting.”
Something these two teams will keep doing for a long while.
St. Catherine’s 3 0 – 3
Collegiate 1 1 – 2
SC: Vicars, Sauer, Crittenden
C: O’Connor, Williams
Saves: Wolenberg (SC) 15; Thomas (C) 8
Records: St. Catherine’s (7-0 LIS, 17-3-1); Collegiate (5-2, 14-3)
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