Heading into overtime against visiting Boys' Latin yesterday, McDonogh coach Jake Reed heard midfielder Garrett Schabb tell his teammates to "win it for Matt."
Moments later, Reed's cheering players surrounded him in celebration of a come-from-behind, 6-5 victory in the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference opener for both squads.
Jeremy Seiverts took a pass from Porter Curran, shook a defender and fired the game-winner into the net's upper left corner with 2:51 remaining in the extra session. His effort lifted the host No. 3 Eagles (1-0 league, 10-0 overall) over the No. 2 Lakers (0-1, 6-1) in what has been an emotional year.
In honor of 2003 graduate Matt Cowdrey, who died last winter in a hunting accident, McDonogh players wear black bands on their calves and the initials "MC" on their helmets.
The players also know this is Reed's 13th and last season at McDonogh, whose headmaster, Bo Dixon, last night cited "philosophical differences between Coach Reed and myself" as the reason he will not renew Reed's contract.
"We feel for our coach and for Matt," said All-Metro defender Brennan Kelly. "We play with them in our hearts and on our minds."
Reed (168-97 career record) was named All-Metro Coach of the Year in 1999 when McDonogh earned its first No. 1 area ranking and its first lacrosse title since 1939 after having gone 1-39 in league play during four prior years.
"It's nice [his players] are supporting me," Reed said. "But today was all business. Today was all about the kids."
Boys' Latin led 1-0 on David Bronfein's early goal, but trailed 3-1 after scores by McDonogh's Bryn Holmes, Collins Cary and Travis Reed, Jake's son. The Lakers rallied to lead 4-3 at 7:25 of the third quarter after Davey Plantholt sandwiched two goals around one by Wes Wharton.
But the Eagles rebounded for a 5-4 advantage heading into the fourth quarter on goals by Holmes and Travis Reed. Reed's 15-yarder, off Curran's pass, beat two defenders with four seconds left in the third quarter
"There wasn't much time," Reed said. "But I saw an opening and took it. It was a big goal."
But Boys' Latin wasn't done. With 10:45 left in regulation, Brett Weiss (one goal, three assists) converted Shane Walterhoefer's pass, tying the game for the fourth time at 5.
All-Baltimore County keeper Joe Pike (10 saves) came up with three critical stops in the fourth period, and Kelly held Lakers All-Metro Chris Boland without a point. McDonogh junior Billy Geist also held Tad Stanwick scoreless and McDonogh defender Josh Kahn "was solid the whole game," Kelly said.
