The highly-anticipated rivalry clashes between the Key West and Coral Shores lacrosse squads lived up to the billing, delivering a pair of close, hard-fought contests.
The Lady Conchs entered their March 26 matchup with some extra confidence after beating Gulliver Prep two days prior. But Key West did not take Coral Shores lightly heading into their district 16 rivalry, which also served as the team’s annual Senior Night.
“Coming off a high from Gulliver, and understanding Coral Shores was going to be a tough game, we were mentally locked in and prepared to give it our all,” said Key West coach Marissa Giacopuzzi.
Senior Eisley Whitehead wasted no time getting the Conchs on the board. Whitehead scored just after the one-minute mark, then the teams settled into what Giacopuzzi described as a slow-moving first quarter. After that, the Conchs’ offense heated up, and the seniors delivered on their night of honor. Colbie Turner scored three goals while Althea Olsen, Whitehead and Taylor Gibson netted one each. Whitehead and Adriana Dall each caused three turnovers, then Gibson added two and Olsen one plus an interception. In all, the Conchs caused 16 turnovers, disrupting Coral Shores’ momentum and driving their own.
MAICEY MALGRAT/Keys Weekly
Sophomore Mavis Bishop accounted for Key West’s other four goals in the 10-7 win for the Conchs. Senior goalkeeper Alexandra Konenca played in goal a majority of the game, picking up four saves and a groundball. Sophomore Diya Alwani played the rest of the minutes.
Giacopuzzi called the win a victory for the seniors. “We played more aggressively, we played faster, we hustled to every ground ball and we demonstrated patience with our possessions,” she said.
Coral Shores’ Addy McNew scored two against the Conchs. Leyla Goodrich, Shay Stober, Saylor Wampler, Ivy Tiedemann and Alexis Mahaffery netted one apiece. Lola Stober was solid in goal, keeping the game close until the end.
Boys
“In the end, it was a great game — one you truly had to see to appreciate. As a rivalry matchup, it lived up to expectations in every way.” —Alberto Piceno, Conchs head coach.
“Hope to see them again in district playoffs. We will be ready.”—Chris Carrow, ’Canes head coach.
Photos by NATALIE GOODWIN/Keys Weekly
When Coral Shores and Key West faced off on March 25, there were no questions that it would be a good game, and the Hurricanes and Conchs delivered.
“It was a dogfight from the opening whistle, just as we expected and prepared for,” said Conchs coach Alberto Piceno of the contest that was tied 5-all at the half.
The Conchs doubled their scoring in the second half, piling on 10 goals to the Hurricanes’ two. The scoring surge certainly helped Key West, but Piceno gave credit to his defensemen in the big win.
“Defensively, the boys made adjustments on the fly, working together to figure out what would be most effective,” he said. “A key moment came when Calvin Mercer asked teammate Owen Dougherty to take the long pole and step in defensively. Owen simply said, ‘bet,’ and together they helped stabilize our defense alongside Quinn Van Aller,” he added.
Piceno also credited his goalkeeper, Mateo Lopez, with 17 saves and a strong presence in goal while Raffie Rice and Brady Wright were clutch in the team’s faceoffs. Wright won five while Rice won four to help control the game.
“They may not always get the recognition they deserve, but their contributions are critical to our success,” said Piceno.
Offensively, Key West’s Max Louchheim delivered what Piceno described as the performance of the season with four goals, each at crucial moments. Carlo Vernieri and Zach Payne also scored four each and Vernieri added three assists. Sawyer Hill, Kai Woods and Reif Wallen each netted one for the Conchs in their 15-7 win.
For the Hurricanes, it was Christian Gonzalez and James Mitchell leading the charge with three goals apiece. SG Paul added one goal and Zane Martinez assisted on three. Goalkeeper Brock Bynum has been an absolute powerhouse in goal for the Hurricanes this season, and the rivalry matchup was no different. Bynum, bolstered by a strong Coral Shores defense, saved 17 shots from scoring, keeping the team in contention as long as he could.
“The difference-maker was Key West’s play after halftime,” Coral Shores coach Chris Carrow said, adding, “Hope to see them again in district playoffs. We will be ready.”
Carrow won’t have to wait too long to see if his hopes will be affirmed. Regular-season play closes April 4, then district playoff brackets will be calculated later that week. The likelihood of a Key West-Coral Shores rematch is strong. District play begins April 8.
Coral Shores went on to host Village School of Naples on March 27, winning 9-8 with aggressive play and a strong defense. Jace Jackson won 15 of 18 faceoffs and Bynum had eight saves to help preserve the win.
