BERLIN- Stephen Decatur’s girls’ varsity lacrosse team enjoyed a big week, edging four-time defending Bayside Conference champion Queen Anne’s, 11-10, in overtime last Friday before routing Delaware power Cape Henlopen on Monday.
Despite unprecedented success in recent years, standing in the Seahawks’ way has almost always been Queen Anne’s. Decatur lost in the Bayside title game last year to the Lions, who collected their fourth straight conference title. Last Friday, the two teams met again in a game that had a playoff feel and this time it was the Seahawks exacting a little revenge with a thrilling 11-10 overtime victory.
Decatur jumped out to an early 4-1 lead and led most of the first half before a Queen Anne’s rally tied the game at 5-5 at the intermission. The Seahawks then scored three straight goals to start the second half and pushed its lead back to three goals at 8-5.
Again, Queen Anne’s battled back and took a 9-8 lead with the clock winding down. With just over a minute remaining in regulation, Decatur’s Blair Yesko tied the game at 9-9 with a goal on an assist from Payton VanKirk. In the first three-minute overtime period, Yesko scored with just 17 seconds left to put Decatur ahead, 10-9. Overtime in girls’ lacrosse is not sudden death, however, and the two teams moved on to a second overtime period.
Queen Anne’s tied the game at 10-10 in the second overtime period, setting up the dramatic conclusion. With less than a minute remaining in the second overtime period, Decatur’s Elle Bargar scored a free position goal to put the Seahawks ahead 11-10. Queen Anne’s wasn’t quite done yet and appeared to score a tying goal with time running down, but the goal was waved off by a crease violation.
The Seahawks were able to hold onto the ball for the remaining 30 seconds to clinch the victory over their old nemesis, touching off a wild celebration. Yesko led the Decatur attack with four goals and an assist, while Payton VanKirk scored three goals and dished out three assists. Jillian Petito was outstanding in goal with 16 saves including two huge ones in overtime.
Decatur was back in action at home on Monday against Cape and took care of business to improve to 7-0 on the season. The game was close for much of the first half, which ended with the Seahawks leading 8-5. Decatur pulled steadily away from Cape in the second half and prevailed, 15-9. Yesko led the way with five goals and three assists, while Payton VanKirk scored four goals. Victoria Kerkovich scored three goals, all in the second half, while Claire Porter scored a goal and dished out an assist. Petito turned in another strong performance with 10 saves.