Maurer, dancemates lead Friars to title

Darcy Messina, Kerrin Maurer and Chrissy Schreiber take the field doing the "Cat Daddy" during introductions. Knees bent and arms down, making a rowing motion. It's hip-hop's latest jig. For the St. Anthony's girls lacrosse team, it's their reign dance.

With a near-flawless performance in a 20-5 victory over Sacred Heart Tuesday at C.W. Post, the Friars captured their fourth straight CHSAA championship. They also reaffirmed their standing as the nation's third-ranked team.

"We're the Cat Daddy Trio," said Maurer, the league MVP who scored four goals and cut one rug. "We do it to keep ourselves loose."

Messina said it has become a team tradition. Why? "Because we can't do The Dougie."

The Friars (16-2) found their groove early, danced to a 13-1 halftime lead and went up 19-3 on Alexis Nicolia's goal with 7:25 remaining.

St. Anthony's seemingly has made the title game its annual coronation. But Messina insisted championship plaques maintain luster. "You can't help but talk about it with a smile," said the junior, who scored three first-half goals and had two assists.

Casey Madden had three goals and two assists for the top-seeded Friars. Maggie Bill and Nicolia each scored twice, and Annie Heagerty had a goal and five assists. Tori Holland, who was named game MVP, made nine saves.

SEE PHOTOSCHSAA final: St. Anthony's 20, Sacred Heart 5

"Our defense played great," Holland said, deflecting credit. "Betsy Holland and Chrissy Gambino were amazing."

That's been one of the ingredients in this season's stew, Lauren Schwalje said. The team's chemistry teaming with its wealth of Division I-bound talent. It's evident in the dances and goofy costumes, and a willingness to share playing time and the limelight on such a loaded roster.

"Every team is different," Friars coach Corinne Lomangino said, "but this group was special."

Indeed. It played arguably the toughest non-league schedule in the country. Having pit themselves against top-20 powers, including Garden City, McDonogh (Md.), Ridgewood (N.J.) and Good Counsel (Md.), Tuesday's game was essentially a fifth title bout. "It's a challenge getting up for so many big games," Lomangino said, "but they rose to the occasion."

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Maggie Comiskey scored twice for No. 2 Sacred Heart (15-6), which had a fourth consecutive season end in disappointment in the final.

"I told [my players] it's one game," Spartans coach Morgan Molinari said. "We won't let one game define our season."

Neither will St. Anthony's, which has greater aspirations. The one thing they've yet to attain is the No. 1 national ranking.

"We're motivated by that and we're gonna go hard this summer," Messina said. "It doesn't stop for us."