BERLIN- Stephen Decatur’s boys’ varsity lacrosse team beat Easton in the opening round of the state 3A-2A East region tournament last week, but fell to old nemesis Kent Island in the second round to close out the season.
The Seahawks had a tough go of it from the start this year after continual rainouts and other scheduling snafus kept them off the field for the first month while most other area teams had already played four or five games. When Decatur finally hit the field, they struggled at time but were in most games until the end and did not lack for enthusiasm and effort, but started 2-6.
Things started coming together for the Seahawks in the last third of the regular season, however, and they won four of their last six games. Decatur beat Wicomico and Delmar in back-to-back games by the same 23-8 score before falling to Bennett, 8-5. Decatur played perhaps its best game of the year in the regular season finale with a come-from-behind 11-8 win over Parkside. The Seahawks trailed late in the game but scored eight straight to close out the 11-8 win.
Decatur drew Easton on the road in the first round of the 3A-2A East region tournament last week and beat the Warriors, 14-12, to advance. Easton had beaten Decatur, 17-8, back in the second game of the season. Against Easton last week, the Seahawks led 9-8 at the half.
The Warriors tied the game 10-10 in the third, but Decatur pulled away in the fourth for the 14-12 win to advance. Collin Eichelberger and Charlie Coates scored five goals each in the win over Easton, while Tucker Cordial scored four goals and dished out two assists. Robbie Duke had three assists and Zach Cioccio made 12 saves in the net.
The win over Easton propelled Decatur into the second round and a date with old nemesis Kent Island, perhaps the best team on the Eastern Shore and defending state champion. Over the years, Decatur has had trouble getting past Kent Island in the regular season and in the post season and this year was no different. The Seahawks turned in a solid performance, but the Buccaneers were too much for Decatur and pulled away for the 17-7 win.
