McDonogh and Gilman set sail for Navy

The MIAA A Conference lacrosse playoffs are as competitive and unpredictable as any high school athletic competition in the country. In Friday’s 2024 quarterfinal round, there was plenty of both, as third-seeded McDonogh and fifth-seeded Gilman earned their way to Tuesday’s semifinals, at Navy-Marine Corps Stadium, with victories.

In a game fitting the intensity of the MIAA A Conference playoffs, two-time defending champion McDonogh stunned visiting Loyola Blakefield with two goals in the final 23 seconds of the fourth quarter, to tie the game, before winning the contest in double overtime, 7-6.

Senior midfielder Andrew Kasten was the clear hero. Not only did Kasten score to tie the game with six seconds left in regulation, he scooped a ground ball to create a fast-break opportunity and buried the shot to send the Eagles (13-3) to Navy in the second overtime.

The fourth quarter started with the teams tied at 3-3. Sophomore attackman Hunter Metz pushed the Eagles in front with a goal with 5:57 remaining, but Loyola (9-8) got consecutive goals from Pete Laake, Luke Rush and Matt Joerres to take a 6-4 lead.

The Dons appeared well on their way to winning as the clock dipped below 30 seconds, but senior middie Ben Firlie kept the Eagles alive with a score with just 23-seconds to play. McDonogh won the face-off before Bogue Hahn fed Kasten for the equalizer.

Hahn scored the game’s first goal in the opening quarter. Brendan Millon and Luke Miller also scored for the Eagles. Rush finished with a hat-trick for the Dons and Laake scored twice.

Gilman (12-6), which lost to Calvert Hall (10-7), 7-6, at home two weeks ago, traveled to The Hall on Friday and absolutely overpowered the Cardinals, 12-3, in one of the most shocking results of the season.

Senior attack Jay Wilkerson had a huge performance, scoring three goals and adding two assists for the Greyhounds. Seniors Clayton Baddley (1 goal, 3 assists) and Michael Maloney (3 goals) also had big games.

James Meyer pitched in with two goals and Griffin Graham had a goal and an assist, while Jay Rodgers and George Guyton had one goal each.

In Tuesday’s semifinals, Gilman will face top-seeded Boys’ Latin at 5:00 p.m., followed by a battle between second-seeded Archbishop Spalding and McDonogh at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday’s winners will return to Navy next Friday night at (7:30 p.m.) for the championship game.

For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit MIAAChampionships.com/lacrosse.