Quick start helps Shanahan end three-game losing streak by beating Coatesville

DOWNINGTOWN - Saddled with a rare three-game losing streak, the Bishop Shanahan girls lacrosse team wanted to start quickly in Tuesday's Ches-Mont League game against Coatesville at Jack Mancini Stadium.

They did that and more as the Eagles dominated from the opening whistle, scoring the first 10 goals en route to a convincing 18-7 victory.

Shanahan (3-3 Ches-Mont, 5-4 overall) received contributions throughout the lineup as 11 players scored. The Eagles were coming off defeats to Henderson, Downingtown West - both teams in the top five of the District 1 3A rankings - and Avon Grove.

"I can't remember the last time we had a three-game losing streak," said Shanahan coach Kacy Small. "The schedule just kind of played out that way and I keep telling the girls that we actually are not that far into our season and we're still kind of figuring things out."

The Eagles started right right the opening whistle. They won the draw and went downfield and scored less than a minute in as Emma McGlothlin scored from in close.

They made it 2-0 a little more than two minutes later as Charley Melconian slipped past a defender and fired in a shot.

Shanahan smothered the Coatesville offense, thanks in part to turnovers that were converted into scoring opportunities that the Eagles cashed in.

"Give props to Shanahan," said interim Coatesville coach Tim Killeen. "They doubled everything right off the bat. They were playing aggressive. We were not making the decisive passes. Turnovers got corrected eventually, but they were aggressive."

"Our defense has been playing really well," added Small. "Over the last couple of games, we have been holding people to shots. Defense has been our calling card the last couple of years, and that's now been solidified. They've been playing at a high level."

Fiona Ducheskie scored the first of her three goals of the evening with 8:05 left to make it 3-0 as she broke in on goalie Claire Myers, made a move to get her off balance, and slipped a shot into the open net.

The scoring onslaught continued after the Red Raiders used an early time out. Haleigh Lynn scored on a free position to make it 4-0. Lila Benham intercepted a pass in Coatesville's end and raced in to score. Duncheskie rifled in a shot from distance with 21 seconds left to complete the scoring for a 6-0 lead. The Eagles held a 12-3 shot advantage after one and 31-14 for the game.

"This is the bounce back we needed," said Duncheskie. "Every game ia a huge game for us now. We know our potential and we're figuring it out as we go, but I think it's coming together. We played angry and we came out strong and that helps us."

The start put Coatesville on the back foot which they could never recover.

"I'm not sure if we were prepared for this," said Killeen. "There's some minor adjustments that needed to be made. As soon as we made them, we got better, but it was too late."

Marley Nicolas scored to open the second. Duncheskie fired a bullet from long range that beat Myers and it was 8-0. The lead grew to 10-0 before the Red Raiders got on the board with three minutes left as Kaylee Harvey fired in a one-timer. Cassidy Miragalia followed by tallying before the break, but Coatesville still trailed, 11-2, at halftime.

Myra Matukaitis had a great second half for the Red Raiders (4-5) scoring five times in the second half.

"We didn't get down, even though the score had us down," said Killeen. "The girls stayed together and that's something we've been asking them to do. Not to come apart as a team. We're in a tough league and we're going to lose some games. But, coming together is what it's all about."

All told, 11 different players scored for Shanahan, including freshman Chole Ragazzo, who recorded her first varsity goal.

Bishop Shanahan 18, Coatesville 7Coatesville 0 2 1 4 - 7Bishop Shanahan 6 5 2 5 - 18Coatesville goals:Matukaitis 5, Harvey, Mingalia.Biahop Shanahan goals: Dunceskie 3, Murray 3, Lynn 2, Benham 2, Nicholas 2; E. McGlothlin, Melconian, Darlington, Loschiavo, Ciccarone, Ragazzo.Goalie saves: Myers (C) 8; O'Brien (BS) 5.

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