Second-ranked Calvert Hall had not beaten No. 5 Loyola in lacrosse since 2003 going into Friday's Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference matchup, so the Cardinals' seniors talked this week about ending that drought.
However, it was junior Phil Castronova who stopped the frustration. He scored three goals, including the game-winner with 1:49 remaining, to give the host Cardinals a 9-8 victory in front of an estimated 2,000. Calvert Hall, which overcame a three-goal deficit at halftime, remains tied with Gilman for first place in the A Conference.
"We talked about it not being for the crowd or for our parents but for the seniors this year," Castronova said. "I don't think anyone in that locker room has had a chance to beat Loyola at the varsity level. But we played hard for the seniors, and we came back and won."
Tyler Adelsberger also scored two goals for Calvert Hall (8-1, 5-0 league). Mike Reid led Loyola (7-3, 3-1) with three goals and an assist.
With the score tied at 6 at the end of the third quarter, Loyola's Trevor Dauses gave the Dons the lead before Castronova tied it just one minute later. Castronova completed his hat trick and sealed the victory for the Cardinals by bouncing a shot past Pat Kurowski (15 saves), who had stopped several shots from point-blank range.
"Loyola is a bunch of fighters; they are competitors," Calvert Hall coach Bryan Kelly said. "If you don't fight back, you're going to get your teeth kicked in."
No. 6 St. Paul's 11, No. 11 Severn 8: : Jay Carlson had four goals and one assist, and Pat Powderly had three goals and two assists as the Crusaders (9-3) came from behind to beat the visiting Admirals (10-5).
Glenelg Country 7, Park 6, 3OT:: Jimmy Tangires scored the game-winning goal with three minutes remaining in the third overtime for the visiting Dragons.
Girls lacrosse
No. 13 Century 28, Key 3: : Katie Schwarzmann recorded a school-record 10 goals and four assists as the visiting Knights (7-0) prevailed.
Baseball
No. 4 Calvert Hall 9-15, No. 9 Cardinal Gibbons 8-2: : At the start of Friday's game between the Crusaders and Cardinals, it was anyone's guess who would emerge with the lead in the MIAA A Conference race, but by the end of the afternoon there was little doubt about who is in control - at least for now.
