Cardinal Gibbons cruises by Durham Academy in 4A lacrosse debut
No matter what class, the Cardinal Gibbons boys’ lacrosse team keeps on winning.
The Crusaders, the state 1A/2A/3A champions last year, kicked off their 4A life by cruising past independent schools power Durham Academy 16-7 at home on a chilly Friday night.
“We just have to worry about ourselves and control what we can control,” Crusaders coach Alex Buckley said. “As far as the classification goes, we’re excited to play some of these really, really good teams around here that we have not played in the last two years. But other than that, we’re just worried about ourselves.”
Gibbons came out firing, scoring the first six goals and keeping the Cavaliers on their heels. The Crusaders were the more aggressive team in the first half, scooping up nearly every groundball and passing efficiently.
“That was the difference,” DA coach Jon Lantzy said. “They came with a lot of energy, they’ve got good athletes. I’m disappointed with how we started, pleased with how we finished.”
DA trailed 12-2 at halftime but played the Crusaders even in the second half.
Turning point
Five different players scored in a near-spotless first quarter for Gibbons, which raced out to a 6-0 lead before the Cavaliers were able to regroup.
Three to know
Mark Schachte, Cardinal Gibbons: The senior scored four goals and had an assist for the potent Crusaders offense.
Wes Wagner, Cardinal Gibbons: The Crusaders goalie was spectacular in just over a half of work, getting 13 saves, including two terrific stops when the Cavs had a two-man advantage in the second quarter.
Braden Saba, Durham Academy: Scored three goals, including scoring while falling down after contact with a Gibbons player late in the game.
They said it
“We like to get everyone a touch before we go on offense,” Schachte said. “We love assists and goals.”
Highlight reel
The Crusaders’ passing game was brilliant at times Friday, including a pretty series when Jack Zarnik passed to Anthony Digirolamo, who quickly fed Schachte for a goal and a 13-2 lead early in the third quarter.
“I hope that’s becoming one of our trademarks,” Buckley said. “We watched really good lacrosse to get better, and when you watch the really good Division I teams and Team USA, the thing that really separates them from everybody else … is they just have better sticks, and they move the ball well. We work on that.”
This story was originally published March 4, 2016 at 9:24 PM with the headline "Cardinal Gibbons cruises by Durham Academy in 4A lacrosse debut."