South Carroll seniors Shawn Waters and Rob Witte were playing their own game of catch and shoot yesterday afternoon at Atholton.
Around them, a playoff game also was taking place.
Waters assisted on all nine of Witte's goals as the two led the No. 15 Cavaliers to a 15-5 win over Atholton in a Class 3A-4A West region semifinal.
South Carroll (12-2) will travel to Mount Hebron tomorrow to take on the Vikings for the region title.
Leading 4-2 at the half yesterday, the Cavaliers pulled away from the Raiders early in the third quarter behind their two standout attackers. Waters connected with Witte four straight times in the first five minutes to send the Cavaliers on their way.
"At halftime, I said, 'Fellas, let's see what you guys can do against Mount Hebron,' " said South Carroll coach Jeff Alisauckas. "We came out in the second half and played very well. This is when we want to peak."
First, it was Waters finding Witte along the right side 1: 45 into the third quarter to give the Cavaliers a 5-2 lead.
Less than 45 seconds later, Waters worked along the left side before finding Witte. And with seven minutes left in the quarter, it was Witte cutting down the middle. With 4: 47 left in the third, the two connected once again with the Cavaliers down a man.
Witte now has 60 goals and 13 assists on the season, with Waters totaling 31 goals and 48 assists.
"I know what he looks like and know where he's going to be," said Waters, who finished the day with two goals and 10 assists. "He's the best lacrosse player in Carroll [County], and I know if I can get him the ball he's going to score."
The Raiders' physical play, which they relied on to get past Westminster and North Carroll in the first two rounds, cost them against South Carroll.
Trailing in the second half, Atholton (7-9) spent eight minutes on man-down situations with an assortment of high slashes and holding penalties.
"We scored early and ran a very patient offense, but it got to the point where we were rushed and they scored quite a few goals on unsettled situations," said Atholton coach Wendell Thomas. "I don't think the penalties were out of frustration, but out of effort. We were in a desperate situation and they weren't intentional fouls, but fouls put us down. I was proud with our kids' efforts in the second half."
Senior Tim Buscher scored two goals -- including a nifty over-the-shoulder shot with his back to the goal -- with Mitch Treese adding a goal and two assists for the Raiders. Mike Rabinovitz scored twice and Jason Weisenborn added four assists to help out Witte and Waters.
Pub Date: 5/15/96
