The Saint Ignatius prep lacrosse team faced a tough loss at home on Monday. After coming back from a heartbreaking game on Friday that ended in a 12-11 overtime loss to St. Xavier, the Lax Cats fell to the Everest Academy Eagles, 12-9.
After this loss, the Wildcats stand at 8-5 this regular season.
In the first and second quarter, the Lax Cats gave a good effort, but the game seemed to stay in the hands of Everest. Senior Max Maruna kept the game close with two goals in the first quarter, with an assist by sophomore Michael Boehm. However, Everest Academy’s forwards tabbed three goals to take a lead into the second quarter.
In the second, Everest notched four goals, to take control. Noah Catanzarite and Merick Hartley each tallied a marker to stay in it, but one of Everest’s goals came with five seconds left in the half to deflate the Cats. The visitors led 7-4 at halftime, but the Wildcats’ fans remained hopeful that Gary Cintron and the Cats would pull it together and bring the intensity next half.
The third quarter was almost a new ball game. The LaxCats tallied three goals against just one by Everest. The Saint Ignatius defense was in lockdown and the Cats’ offense seemed to keep the intensity for the rest of the quarter. The three goals were scored by Boehm, Connor Cmiel, and yet another by Merick Hartley. Everest exited the quarter with a narrow 8-7 lead.
In the fourth and final quarter, the Wildcats couldn’t keep the momentum going. The home team struggled at times with transition defense, as Everest found twine three times in a row to place the contest out of reach late. The Wildcats managed two goals in the final few minutes, as Boehm scored and Hartley finished off his hat trick.
Mincer’s MVP(s): Sophomores Merick Hartley and Michael Boehm kept the game alive by scoring a combined 5 goals. Each had a great game, moving the ball around well.
Next up for the Wildcats is a faceoff with the Hudson Explorers on Wednesday a Wasmer Field at 7:30 pm.
Varsity Blue Update: In a matchup with the talented Everest Academy JV squad, the Wildcats' Varsity Blue team lost, 10-2, dropping to 3-5 on the year.