Top-seeded Concord-Carlisle easily passes test

HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS LACROSSE

Patriots romp by Central Catholic

Concord-Carlisle’s Sarah Fortier, front, looks to take a shot as she is pursued by Central Catholic’s Olivia Rondeau during the second quarter. Host Concord-Carlisle rolled to a 13-3 girls lacrosse victory. PHOTO BY PAUL CONNORS — MEDIA NEWS GROUP/BOSTON HERALD

Central Catholic’s Camryn Donlan, front, is pursued by Concord-Carlisle’s Scarlett Mirak during Concord-Carlisle’s 13-3 girls lacrosse state tournament win Saturday. PHOTO BY PAUL CONNORS — MEDIA NEWS GROUP/BOSTON HERALD

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By Erik Anderson

Correspondent

CONCORD >> The top-seeded Concord-Carlisle Patriots are moving on in the Division I girls lacrosse state semifinals after a convincing 13-3 victory over the ninth-seeded Central Catholic Raiders on Saturday.

“I am so proud of these girls. They have been through so much this season on the field and in the community, and they have been as mature and workable as you could have possibly hoped for,” Patriots coach Erin Cash said of her team’s performance. “We have a lot of girls who truly love the game of lacrosse and it’s beautiful when they realize how much they’re capable of.”

The Patriots broke the scoreless tie four minutes into the game. Three and a half minutes later they added another one. Central Catholic cut the deficit in half with a goal with 24 seconds left in the opening quarter, just to have Concord-Carlisle take back the two-goal lead 19 seconds later.

The first half as a whole showed Concord-Carlisle’s coordinated motion offense that chewed up clock like clockwork. The offense would naturally have a player pop open for a quick and close shot or give them a player with the ball or a clear dodging alley. The second quarter was a fast one with the Patriots playing keepaway. They won the quarter 3-0 with goals at the five-minute mark and two more within the final 100 seconds and took a 6-1 lead into halftime.

“Our players are so selfless and nobody is looking to be a superstar. They’re so cohesive and they all will give up a B-tier shot for themselves if they can recognize that their teammate can have an A-tier shot one pass away,” Cash said.

The third saw more of the same as the Patriots dominated time of possession. They added three more, one of which being the hat trick maker for sophomore attack Scarlett Mirak. This helped extend the lead to 9-2 after three quarters.

In the fourth it was more of the same, ball control and wasting clock. Mirak picked up her fourth goal of the afternoon in this final frame. Senior attack Karleigh Mutch also racked up a hat trick in the fourth.

Every time Central Catholic tried to mount some type of comeback, Concord-Carlisle would answer right back.

The game could have been more out of hand if not for some impressive saves from Raiders goalie Anne Cashman. Any short possession Central Catholic did have, the ball was essentially stolen right away with the swarming defense and smothering stick checks. The state semifinal will be Tuesday against Chelmsford.