(4) Cardinal Gibbons girls lacrosse rolls by (5) Wake Forest in third round
RALEIGH, N.C. — There was never a doubt for Cardinal Gibbons girls lacrosse on Tuesday.
The Crusaders used a first-half shutout to roll by visiting Wake Forest 24-1 in the third round of the N.C. High School Athletic Association 4A girls lacrosse playoffs.
Gibbons (17-4) led 16-0 at halftime over the Cougars (15-2) in which Gibbons led 10-0 and started the running clock before the first quarter ended. Wake Forest, which was riding a 14-game win streak, did not attempt a shot in the first half due to Gibbons’ swarming defense.
Leading the way for the fourth-seeded Crusaders was junior Izzi Hammond who showcased her playmaking abilities all game long with six goals and four assists.
Also scoring for the Crusaders were: senior Charlotte Jackson (3 goals, 1 assist), junior Hayden Miller (3 goals), junior Lexi Mullahy (2 goals, 3 assist), sophomore Ella Grimes (2 goals, 1 assist), sophomore Jane Bailey Ward (2 goals), sophomore Bailey Booth (1 goal), junior Rocky Phelps (1 goal), senior Taylor Alexander (1 goal), and freshman Chloe Tupis (1 goal).
Grimes also stepped up by winning almost every draw control of the game, keeping the ball in the Crusaders' possession.
Towards the end of the third quarter, Wake Forest sophomore Carly Falzon was able to get the ball through the Gibbons defense, scoring the only goal the Cougars were able to obtain the entire game. It was only the second loss of the season for the fifth-seeded Cougars, who had maintained a two-month-long win streak dating back to March 5.
Looking ahead to next round, the Crusaders will host the ninth-seeded team in the East division, Apex Friendship, this Friday to decide who goes on to the semi-finals. The Patriots took down top-seeded Holly Springs.
Blair Mitchell contributed to this report.
