With tough sledding to start the month of March, Monroe County lacrosse teams are primed to take out their frustrations in Keys rivalry showdowns after spring break.
The Lady Conchs will look to end a four-game slide when they return to action after schools reconvene. The team, plagued with injuries and a few athletes taking off early for vacation, was left with just two subs in their March 13 game against Archbishop McCarthy. The shorthanded Conchs struggled to take shots on goal despite playing with extra enthusiasm and heart.
“Archbishop played smart; they ran the clock down when they had possession because they knew they already had the game-winning goals. I respect a team that can comprehend that kind of strategy,” said Marisa Giacopuzzi, Lady Conchs head coach. Archbishop McCarthy’s pressure forced her team to play a different game, she said, and the 9-6 result was not what the team had hoped for.
Taylor Gibson managed to draw four fouls and finished with three free position goals. Mavis Bishop scored one goal and won two draw controls. Bishop also caused three turnovers. Adriana Dall scored two, one with an Eisley Whitehead assist. Keeper Alexandra Konecna had three saves and a groundball in goal in the loss.
Coral Shores ended the week 4-4 after a 10-2 loss against a powerful Miami Country Day team. Addy McNew and Ivy Tiedemann scored one goal each to get the Hurricanes on the board, but a high-scoring Patriots squad outshot Coral Shores and earned the win.
Both teams have several district games remaining on their schedules, one of which has been circled on calendars all season. March 26 will see the Lady Conchs and ’Canes square off in Key West’s Backyard at 4 p.m. in a contest that should prove to be one of the best both teams have played all season.
In boys lacrosse action, Key West was on the road last week, first at Ransom Everglades for a March 11 matchup with the Raiders. The Raiders bested the Conchs 17-7, giving Key West plenty of motivation to roll the Rams of John Carroll Catholic 14-2 the following day and earn a 7-3 record heading into break.
Coral Shores improved to 8-3 after a pair of wins just prior to spring break. The Hurricanes played at Palmer Trinity March 10, winning 18-4, then hosted Florida Christian two days later and won 13-3. The wins made it a three-game streak, which the ’Canes will look to extend after break.
Next up for the Hurricanes is a home game with district and county rival Key West. The closely-matched teams never fail to leave it all on the field when playing one another. The boys face off March 25 at Coral Shores at 6 p.m. in a clash Keys lacrosse fans will not want to miss.
