BERLIN- Worcester Prep’s girls’ varsity lacrosse team lost a heartbreaker last week, falling to old rival Saints Peter and Paul, 9-8, in the Eastern Shore Independent Athletic Conference (ESIAC) tournament final on a penalty shot with under a minute remaining in the game.
Last Thursday, the Mallards routed Gunston, 20-9, in the ESIAC semifinals to earn a shot at Saints Peter and Paul in the tournament championship. The Sabres had beaten the Mallards in the last three tournament championship games and the two teams were on a collision course for a rematch through much of the last part of the season.
In the semifinal game against Gunston, Kaitlin Talbert led the Mallards with four goals and two assists, while Meredith Smith also scored four goals. Lilly DiNardo scored three goals against the Herons, while Mary Clare Regan scored two goals and added two assists.
In the championship game against the Sabres, Worcester scored early and built a 3-0 lead by the halfway through the first half. However, Saints Peter and Paul rallied for six straight goals and took a 6-3 lead into intermission. Two goals by DiNardo early in the second half cut the Sabres lead to 6-5. Saints Peter and Paul answered quickly and pushed the lead back to three goals at 8-5.
Worcester then scored three unanswered goals including two by Smith and another by Meredith Soule to tie the game at 8-8 with the clock winding down. It appeared the classic contest was heading to overtime, but Worcester was called for a penalty in the box with 30 seconds remaining and the Sabres converted the opportunity to win the game, 9-8, and collect their fourth straight championship.