The Bishop Ireton lacrosse team, after finishing 7-8 overall last season, is off to an undefeated 2-0 start in the 07 campaign. The Cardinals, coached by Joey Kestermann, defeated cross-town rival Episcopal 12-11 and then dominated West Potomac 1
0-4 to start the spring season.
Our guys were very fired up about playing Episcopal [to commence the season], said Kestermann.
The Cardinal and Gold hosted Episcopal on March 17 and led the Maroon 6-5 at halftime. Early in the fourth quarter, with the game tied at 8-8, Ireton junior midfielder Davey Marrins goal gave the Cardinals a 9-8 go-ahead score and Ireton held on for the 12-11 victory. Beating Episcopal was a very big win for this program. We kept our composure and we were patient today said Kestermann, a 1999 graduate of Ireton.
Episcopal, coached by first year mentor Scott Conklin, finished the 06 campaign as semi-finalist in the statewide TILT Tournament (The Independent Lacrosse Tournament). Against Episcopal, the Bishop Ireton was paced by sophomore attack Mac Fife (3 goals/3 assists); Marrin (3/1), senior midfielder Keenan Muchoney (3 goals), junior attack Chris McIlvaine (2 goals), sophomore attack/midfielder Taylor OSullivan (1 goal) and junior midfielder Colin Corridon (1 assist).
The Maroon and White was paced by senior attack Wiatt Farrar (4 goals/3 assists), senior midfielder Danny Coale (3/2), senior attack Jay Fazio (3 goals), junior attack John Richey (1 goal) and junior midfielder Matt Hurley (1 assist).
Ireton won something like 20 of 25 face-offs and that was a big key to the outcome of this game, said Maroon head coach Scott Conklin. Weve got a good group of seniors this season. Its hard to predict where were going to finish in the [competitive] IAC. We may be a work in progress, but our goal is to get better each and every day.
BI 10, WP 4
Ireton won their second game of the season when they knocked off the visiting West Potomac Wolverines on March 19, 10-4. The Wolverines of the Patriot District is coached by Patrick Carmack and Frank Clay, and found themselves down 5-0 after the first quarter was in the books.. Our offense was really playing well in the first quarter, said coach Kestermann. The Cardinals also led 7-2 at halftime and then 8-4 after the third quarter concluded.
The WCAC (Washington Catholic Athletic Conference) Cardinals were paced by McIlvaine (4 goals); Marrin (2 goals), junior attack Zach Hellmuth (2 goals), Fife (1 goal/2 assists), Muchoney (1 goal/1 assist) and OSullivan (1 assist).
According to McIlvaine, A lot of the players on this team have really grown since last year. We want to practice hard day in and day out. Coach Kestermann said, Weve got a good team this season. We definitely have a very good junior class. Excluding heavy favorite DeMatha and bottom-dweller Carroll, the WCAC is a pretty even league. Our goal is to get better with each game. In the game of lacrosse, whoever does the basics the best – is most likely to come out with the win.
Editors Note: The St. Stephens & St. Agnes Saints, coached by Andy Taibl, will be detailed in the weeks edition.
