In postseason lacrosse action, Key West’s boys’ winning record and strength of schedule earned a coveted bye. Coral Shores played Westminster Christian in the FHSAA 1A District Quarterfinals on April 11.
Key West, ranked third in the district, was scheduled to play second-ranked Ransom Everglades on April 12. The Conchs beat the Raiders on March 9, giving Key West every reason to believe a trip to the district finals was possible. But it would be Ransom which went on to play perennial powerhouse Gulliver in the championship game. Key West lost 10-4, ending their season earlier than they had hoped, but far stronger than the previous year. Noah Collins scored half of the Conchs’ goals. Carter Sessoms and Eddie Moline scored the remainder.
The Hurricanes and Warriors faced off just over one week prior, so coach Chris Carrow and his team knew what to expect. The quarterfinals would be the end of the road for the ’Canes, losing 9-3 to the higher-ranked Warriors – a deficit three goals smaller than their previous matchup. Lucas Carballo scored 2 goals for the Hurricanes and Yandel Chaguaseda scored 1. Lucas Hajec was credited with 2 assists and Zane Martinez added 1 assist to his stats.
When the rankings came out and the rosters were populated, Monroe County’s two girls lacrosse teams were pitted against one another, ensuring that at least one team would move on into the semifinals but also ensuring that one team would be eliminated early. The Lady Hurricanes’ season ended April 11 in Key West’s backyard, as the Conchs won 8-4 in a hard-fought battle for a spot in the semis.
The game was closer than the final score indicates. Key West was ahead 2-1 at the end of the first quarter. By halftime, the Conchs kept the advantage with a 3-2 score, and at the end of quarter three, it was 5-4. Key West pulled away in the final quarter and gave themselves some breathing room. Kaitlyn Piloto led the scoring for the Conchs with 5 goals. Ella Bishop netted 2 and Deanna Mercier scored 1.
Ava Brock, Eisley Whitehead and Mercier were each credited with an assist. Goalkeeper Courtney Grabus had 5 saves, a ground ball and 1 caused turnover in the win. Piloto won 7 draw controls and picked up a ground ball and Bishop had one draw control and 4 ground balls. Conchs head coach Marisa Giacopuzzi was pleased with her team’s performance, especially in the fourth quarter in which the Conchs prevented any ’Canes’ scoring.
“We also had some huge turnovers,” she said, also praising individual players for their efforts. “Celeste Loy and Ava Brock fought for the ball back on a ’Canes transition. Deanna Mercier, our center, came up with 3 caused turnovers; Colbie Turner caused turnovers; even goalie Courtney Grabus had an interception. Kaitlyn Piloto was unstoppable all over the field, from dominating the draw to going to goal; she had an incredible game tallying 5 goals.”
Coral Shores did not go down without a fight, though. The Lady ’Canes kept the game within reach until the final quarter. Iona Holmquist scored 2 goals while Nicole Gray and Shay Stober netted 1 each. Holmquist was credited with picking up an incredible 10 ground balls, while Stober scooped 5. Makayla Hann had 1 interception in the game.
The following night, Key West traveled to Westminster Christian without an opportunity to rest or regroup. They were hoping for a redemption of a loss earlier this season, but that was not in the cards for the Conchs. Turnovers would be the team’s undoing against the Warriors, who beat the Conchs 13-9. There were 15, too many to overcome. Despite the turnovers, Key West managed to find the net nine times in just 11 shots on goal. Brock scored 2 and assisted on another. Mercier netted 3 goals, Maeve O’Hearn scored 2 and Turner had 1. Piloto scored 1 and assisted 2 others.
“Courtney Grabus had an insane game with 22 saves and three ground balls,” Giacopuzzi said. “She saw a lot of action, made some huge patient plays to help keep the ball in our sticks and ran the clock at the end of some quarters. When the ball is in our sticks, we’re in control. Problem was, we couldn’t keep it in our sticks long enough.”
Despite losing in the semifinals, Giacopuzzi said it wasn’t all bad.
“At the end of the day, we had a lot to celebrate, so many individual victories, so many team wins, so much thrown at us this season, and we persevered,” she said.
GRACE ANDREW/Keys Weekly
