Ravenscroft girls lacrosse shows defensive improvement in win against Providence Day
Ravenscroft senior attacker Sydnie Schwarz enjoyed Thursday afternoon’s 13-4 nonconference victory over visiting Providence Day School out of Charlotte.
Not because the Ravens’ offense dominated play, which it did with seven players scoring – including her three goals and an assist. But because of the work on the other side of the field.
“I’m more proud of the defense today,” the soon-to-be Swathmore College player said. “I think this was the first time this year we have applied pressure defensively to our opponent and really got into their heads.
“You usually watch us, and we’re not a pressure-defense kind of team. But today, we went out there and did it and did it well.”
Ravenscroft improved to 6-7 overall with the victory, while the Chargers exited with a 3-6 mark.
What worked
The defensive play of senior Megan Ragusa, freshman Makayla Crawford and sophomore Chaz Crosby.
The three players were relentless with pressuring the Chargers’ attackers, usually forcing them into one-on-one attacks or taking wild shots.
“That was the best defensive game we’ve had,” Ravenscroft head coach Kerry Norman said. “We did a great job with the helps, with slides, and limiting Providence’s chances.”
Ragusa, who will attend North Carolina to play field hockey, knows a thing or two about the importance of defending in front of the goalie.
“Definitely, yes,” she said smiling. “I think we put it all together defending as a team today. We really wanted to beat them, and it was a big deal for ourselves. When they attacked, we were sliding and helping really well.”
Highlight reel
With the two teams still kind of feeling each other out with Ravenscroft holding on to a 3-1 lead, the Ravens got a goal from junior Maddy Morin when she deked under a defender after receiving a pass from junior Grace Schmalz with 11:23 to go.
On the ensuing faceoff, however, the Ravens seemed to completely take the wind out of the sails of the Chargers.
After the ball was batted about and headed toward the right sideline, Crawford zoomed up to the ball and took possession at midfield.
She turned on the jets and went straight at the goal, scoring just 16 seconds after Morin’s tally.
“Crashing,” Providence Day head coach Annie McGinley said. “Crashing. They did a great job every time on us.”
Three to know
RuthAnne Winston, Ravenscroft: Sophomore was a force on the attack for her squad. She notched a game-high four goals, while putting an additional two shots on frame.
Hannah Pangborn, Ravenscroft: Usually when a shot found its way past the Ravens’ defensive unit, the freshman was there for the stop. The keeper had nine saves.
Anna Farrell, Providence Day: Sophomore attacker led the Chargers with two goals on six shots.
They said it
“It’s all about sliding to help. We want to protect our sisters out there. It’s slide, help and talk.” Crawford on the defensive play Ravenscroft
This story was originally published April 22, 2016 at 12:23 AM with the headline "Ravenscroft girls lacrosse shows defensive improvement in win against Providence Day."