Jordan-Elbridge’s girls lacrosse team spent much of last Thursday night’s opener in a defensive crouch, trying to fend off Marcellus.
Yet the Eagles managed to pull it off, riding an extraordinary effort from goalie Alicia Olmstead to a 6-5 victory over the Mustangs.
Accustomed to practicing and playing home games on grass fields, J-E took some time to adjust to the new Field Turf that Marcellus calls home.
Not able to generate anything on the offensive side, the Eagles went to halftime down, 4-0, with Sarah Holden putting up a three-goal hat trick to lead the Mustangs’ charge. Only Olmstead’s great work in the net kept it within sight.
Suddenly, in the second half, J-E started winning the draws and attacking. Those attacks paid off, as Kim Armani scored twice and Rianne Farrugia, Katie Dungey and Marge Bailey all added their own tallies to forge a 5-5 tie.
With 2:53 left in regulation, Jessica Young ripped a shot past Marcellus goalie Erica Sgouris to put the Eagles in front. Despite some late pressure, J-E would cling to that slim margin.
From beginning to end, Olmstead handled the multiple Marcellus attacks, finishing with 25 saves to help her team hang in early — and ultimately prevail.
After another week to work on things, J-E will be back in action this Thursday, playing at Westhill.
