A wild week reflects newfound parity in A Conference lacrosse; NDP and Maryvale square off in the One Love Foundation game

By Nelson Coffin
nelson@iaamsports.com

With a couple of notable exceptions, results from the early going in the A Conference lacrosse season show that parity may be the best word to describe what is unfolding on the field.

Last week was a case in point, given the number of outcomes that may have been unforeseen.

While McDonogh, which remains perfect in league play, kept its winning ways intact with an 8-6 verdict over Notre Dame Prep on Tuesday, Archbishop Spalding suffered its first A Conference loss at the hands of upstart Roland Park Country School, 11-10.

Moreover, that same day Bryn Mawr notched its only conference victory by upending Maryvale, 10-9, in overtime to hand the Lions their first league setback.

John Carroll, which fell, 9-4, to St. Paul’s School for Girls on Tuesday, bounced back by beating Bryn Mawr, 13-9, on Thursday before earning a taut 9-8 triumph over Spalding on Saturday.

The Patriots were led by stat-stuffing senior Grace Marchetti, who ”is the heartbeat of the team,” according to coach Laura Seifert. "Tenacious, gritty, and relentless — her leadership on the field isn’t just about skill, it’s pushing her teammates to be better every day."

The other team that has unexpectedly turned a few heads of late is St. Mary’s, which swept Glenelg Country School, 10-6, and SPSG, 9-8, prior to dismissing Anne Arundel County neighbor Broadneck, 14-10.

When all the dust has settled, McDonogh is the only team to be unbeaten in league action. Maryvale and Severn have one loss each while Spalding, NDP, John Carroll, St. Paul’s and St, Mary’s have two losses apiece.

The Eagles can put more distance between themselves and the pack when they host SPSG on Tuesday, the day before NDP and Maryvale square off in a game that will honor the memory of NDP alumna Yeardley Love, whose college alma mater, Virginia, will battle Maryland at the same site following the prep contest.

The game, which will raise funds for the One Love Foundation, will undoubtedly mean a great deal to all the athletes involved, but perhaps even more so for former Blazers Olivia Rockstroh, Mae Marshall and Finley Barger.

Rockstroh and Mae Marshall are Terps defenders and Barger is a midfielder for the Cavaliers.