Whether it was individual takeaways, a well-timed slide or a relentless physical approach, Covenant’s boys lacrosse squad’s defense was dominant Friday in a 13-4 victory over Trinity Christian in the VISAA Division II semifinals.
That’s no easy task when you’re facing an unfamiliar opponent and have to adjust early in the game against an unfamiliar opponent as the Eagles did against Trinity Christian midfielder Sam King.
“We saw him coming from the top and when someone comes to the cage with that kind of authority you know they have the ability to score and they’re used to scoring,” said Covenant defender Teddy Morse. “We decided just to go up and give him some sugar.”
Morse and Austin Llera largely marked King and clamped down on the midfielder, steadying the ship during the Covenant offense’s slow stretch in the second quarter that followed a 3-0 start. Limiting Trinity Christian to just two goals kept Covenant out front 4-3 at the break and set the stage for an offensive explosion in the second half.
“(The offense) does something explosive up there and then we do something explosive down here,” Morse said. “When they’re really rolling it takes the pressure off us to get big stands and we play more transition and get the ball back to them.”
The Eagles poured it on in the second half, with Win Marks getting into a particularly good groove with a five-goal effort. He and fellow attackman Brandon DeJong worked hand in hand on the wing and from behind the cage, opening up some opportunities for Marks and getting DeJong a trio of assists to go with his own hat trick.
“(Win’s) placement on GLE (goal-line extended) is just money,” said Covenant midfielder Drew Gaffney. “We rely on that a lot, he just does a great job down there.”
Gaffney poured in three goals on the afternoon and finished with an assist. Clark Gathright and Spencer Godine each had a goal and an assist while Jay Gaffney notched a pair of assists.
The defense though, including Austin Hall’s offensive save made the early difference for the Eagles.
“Austin Hall had a great save right there (in the third quarter) that really seemed to get the momentum going and then off the save we had a goal that really took the wind out of their sails,” said Covenant coach Mike Gardiner. “We played a great defensive game too.”
The Eagles will face Nansemond Suffolk Academy Saturday at 1 p.m. in the state final. NSA beat North Cross 12-10 Friday afternoon to secure the other spot in the championship.
