OCEAN CITY – The Red Raider girls lacrosse team quickly built up a four-goal lead in the first period of Monday’s Cape-Atlantic League tournament semifinal against Holy Spirit, but had to hang on to win 8-6.
The Ocean City High School girls team (14-4) was led by Marley Ostrander’s four goals. Holy Spirit’s Grace Marczyk and Lauren Cella had two goals each in the loss, dropping the team to 9-8 on the season.
Ocean City head coach Lesley Graham wasn’t pleased with her team’s effor. “I’ll aways take an ugly win over a pretty loss,” she said. “Holy Spirit came ready to battle. They made us better today.”
She credited the Spartan defense, including goalie Bella Normane, who turned away eight shots to keep the game close.
Laurel Munning and Peyton Slattery had the other two goals for Ocean City.
The Red Raiders, the top seed in the tournament, will face No. 2 Mainland Regional on Thursday in the CAL finals.
“We were able to stay together and stay focused, and have each other’s backs, and still be able to come out with a victory, and move on to a chance to play for another CAL championship. So ultimately, at the end of the day, that’s what matters,” Graham said. “I thought our team started well and then we became complacent and Holy Spirit is a team you can never get complacent against because they will always bring their grit and determination.”
Graham said since taking over the team in 2020, when there wasn’t a season, the Red Raiders have never lost a CAL game. “My graduating seniors have never lost. That is something I’m very proud of. I realize that some day that is going to come to an end, but I don’t want it to be now.”
– STORY and PHOTOS by DAVID NAHAN/Sentinel staff
