SP Boys Lax In First Place After Beating Arundel, 9-4

By the time the Arundel High defense could figure out the Severna Park attack it was too late. The Falcons used a strong first half performance to defeat Arundel, 9-4, on Tuesday.

Severna Park (9-1) needs to win its final county game on Friday against North County to wrap up the Anne Arundel county title. With its second loss in a row Arundel drops (8-2) out of first in the county standings. 

"It's a big win for us," Severna Park coach Larry Kramer said. "It's about making plays at this level and against a great team like this, I thought we made more plays than they did and that's why we won the game."

The Falcons accumulated a 3-0 advantage after four minutes of play, as three seniors: Avery Littlejohn, Kenny Stryker and Joe Galdi tallied early.

After a quick timeout, Arundel's T.J. Holston put his team on the board and fellow Wildcat Mike Pucci followed with another goal a minute after that.

Severna Park would widen the gap again with a goal from senior Tripp Fulton at the 3:55 mark of the first quarter. Less than minute later, sophomore Troy Wilke tallied for the Falcons as the Arundel defensive struggles continued. Fulton finished with three assists on the afternoon.

"The offense gave us a little cushion. The offense did a nice job of finishing shots and making plays," Kramer said.

Facing a four-goal deficit near the end of the quarter, Arundel speedster Tyler Young brought the score to 6-3 just before the half.

When it appeared as if the Wildcats had began to solve their opponents, Galdi struck again for the Falcons. The towering attackman beat Arundel's Cameron Gormley low to his right, the same shot that Arundel goalie has smothered earlier in the quarter.

Goals from Styker and Erik Schuh came ten seconds apart near the end of the quarter, as Severna Park took a 9-3 lead into the half.

Both sides adjusted well to each other, forcing a near stalemate in the second half.

"I thought our defense has played well all year, they did a great job," Kramer said.

Arundel's Collin Potter was the only player to record a score in the second half, connecting on a long distance bouncing shot with 3:25 left in the third quarter.

Neither team scored in the fourth quarter, as Severna Park walked away 9-4 victors and claimed the driver seat in the chase for the county title.

"We're not playing as a team right now,"Arundel coach Kevin Necessary said.

Severna Park will look to capture another Anne Arundel county championship on Friday, hosting Northeast.

Severna Park (9-1) 6 3 0 0 - 9

Arundel (8-2) 3 0 1 0 - 4

Lady Falcons Thrash Arundel, 21-6

For the first 12 minutes and 39 seconds of the game, the Arundel girls lacrosse team ran with Severna Park. After that, the Lady Falcons ran away with the game. Severna Park defeated Arundel, 21-6, on Tuesday.

The Lady Falcons (10-0) are now one win away from completing an undefeated run through the county.

"It got some great moments there. Then again they'll lapse every once and awhile, and they have to learn that they can't lapse," Severna Park coach Carin Peterson said about her team's performance.

Severna Park was paced by Elizabeth Barranco's five goals and a two-goal, three assist performance from Ryan Bathras.

The first ten minutes saw Arundel go toe-to-toe with the Lady Falcons, sitting at a 2-2 score. Then at 12:21 in the first half, Barranco added her second goal of the game and the flood gates opened for Severna Park, who held a 13-4 advantage at the half.

"They've got some really nice players," Peterson said."[and] we're trying to teach our girls no matter who we play, they can't start slow."

The Lady Falcons went on two different 6-0 runs and a 4-0 run to help build their commanding lead.

"Shot selections were great, especially in the first half. Our transition was wonderful and our defense did a really nice job too, and our goalkeeper had some great saves," Peterson said.

Senior goalie Emily Mata made 10 saves in the game for the Lady Falcons.

Severna Park will close out their in-county schedule on Friday, hosting Northeast.

Severna Park (10-0) 13 8 - 21

Arundel (5-5) 4 2 - 6