OCEAN CITY – The Ocean City High School girls lacrosse team made short work of Cedar Creek Monday, earning their way back to the Cape-Atlantic League Tournament finals.
Mainland’s girls just missed their chance for a rematch with the Red Raiders, falling 14-13 to Holy Spirit.
The No. 1 seed Red Raiders (11-5, 9-0 American Division) will host No. 3 Holy Spirit (11-6, 4-6 American Division). Ocean City beat Holy Spirit twice during the regular season, 10-4 in April and 10-9 earlier this month.
The Raiders beat the Spartans 12-9 in last year’s CAL finals and beat them 15-6 in the 2023 finals.
Against Cedar Creek (14-2, 14-0 National Division), the Pirates were able to get a pair of goals in the second quarter, but Ocean City went into the half with a 7-2 lead. The Raiders padded that with four more in the third quarter and outscored Cedar Creek 3-2 in the fourth quarter for the 13-5 victory.
Ocean City spread around the scoring with Ryan Cooke leading with three goals, but two apiece coming from Katie Pierce, Marley Dwyer, Laurel Munning and Delaney Ireland. Marley Ostrander and Bella Dounoulis added a goal apiece and Munning and Ostrander each provided two assists.
Raider goalie Aliza Otton made three saves and Jillian Seeker had one. Cedar Creek’s Elizabeth Amadio made seven saves.
“It’s always a battle to get back to the CAL final and I’m proud of the team for showing up today and working hard,” Raider coach Lesley Graham said.
“The messaging all season long is to work toward second season, which is what this is as we move into playoffs now. No matter who the opponent is we challenge ourselves,” Graham said.
The Raiders are currently ranked fourth in Power Points in South Jersey Group III behind No. 1 Moorestown, No. 2 Shawnee and No. 3 Cherry Hill West. Mainland is ranked 11th.
Mustangs fall
The Mainland girls jumped out to a 6-1 lead in the first quarter, and held a 9-6 advantage at the half, but the Spartans were able to outscore the Mustangs 4-2 in the third and fourth quarters for the narrow victory.
Mustang Lauren LaMonaca had four goals, Ava Sheeran supplied three and Sophia Blanco and Jade O’Neill had two each. Margaret Albert and Avery Notaro scored one apiece.
The Raiders will be watching Spartan Brielle Soltys in the CAL finals. She had eight of her team’s goals in the victory.
– STORY and PHOTOS by DAVID NAHAN/Sentinel staff
