Maurer's four goals lead St. Anthony's to NSCHSAA title, 16-5

Kerrin Maurer got checked but still scored. She face-planted on the turf but got back up. She tripped, fell, pushed, got pushed and maybe acquired a few bumps and bruises, too.

But those are minor setbacks for a girl who's faced her fair share of adversity this year. Finally, she's reached her summit.

The St. Anthony's junior had four goals and an assist Monday as the top-seeded Friars won their third straight NSCHSAA Class AA title with a 16-5 victory over No. 2 Sacred Heart at C.W. Post.

"She's totally a tough kid," St. Anthony's coach Corinne Lomangino said. "She overcame a huge thing."

After the game, Maurer, who finished the season with 59 goals, was named CHSAA player of the year. Few thought she'd play at all after breaking her ankle and fracturing her hip in a car accident Jan. 21. She ended up missing only one game during the lacrosse season.

"It surprised me a lot," Maurer said of her health and subsequent success this season. "I didn't know how my body would react."

Her free-position goal with 6:17 left in the game gave St. Anthony's a 14-4 lead, enacting the 10-goal mercy rule, which allows the clock to run continuously. She scored while falling to the turf after getting checked (the Sacred Heart player was given a yellow card).

SEE PHOTOSSt. Anthony's 16, Sacred Heart, 5

St. Anthony's (15-3) defeated Sacred Heart (11-7) twice in the regular season by a combined score of 33-14 and has beaten the Spartans three straight times in the Class AA title game.

Said Sacred Heart coach Morgan Molinari: "We knew what we were going into. They play one of the most impressive defenses you can play."

Leading that effort was Betsy Holland, the game's MVP, and her sister Tori, who made nine saves.

Ten players scored for St. Anthony's, including sisters Jenny and Lauren Schwalje (two goals each) and Chrissy Schreiber, who had two goals and two assists.

The Friars' season is now complete - nearly three weeks before the state public school tournament, a point of contention among the players.

"This is important, and satisfying," Maurer said. "But the Catholic League often gets overlooked. Personally, I'd love to play the top public schools. The intensity goes up so much."

Maurer, no stranger to adversity, wouldn't mind the challenge.