District 1 Class 3A Girls Lacrosse: Defensive pressure pushes Garnet Valley past Great Valley

CONCORD — Two district playoff games down and it’s clear that Garnet Valley’s defense is playing at another level.

“We’re just really clicking now,” senior defender Lauren Bendo said Saturday. “We all have the mindset that every game we’re going to give it our all. And I think just the way we work as a unit has gotten so much better as the season’s going on and here in the playoffs. We had that extra motivation that we want to take every possession.”

No. 3 Garnet Valley clinched a PIAA tournament berth with an 11-7 win over 11th-seeded Great Valley. Up next is a date with Central League rival and second-seeded Radnor in the district semifinals Tuesday.

With Bendo, Erin Barnes, MaryRose Berry and Morgan McClintock leading the way, the Jags consistently applied pressure on the Patriots and caused 10 turnovers. GV’s ability to get takeaways opened things up for the team’s potent offense.

Maddie Kalish netted a team-high four goals and Sophie Kingsborough recorded a hat trick for the Jags.

“We love to come up with a big turnover and transition into a nice possession on offense, whether that’s just taking time off the block or coming up with a goal, ” Bendo said. “With the chemistry we have, our defense is working hard to get a big stop and our offense is working hard to get the ball in the net. We just love when we can come up with a big play and get them the ball back so they can get us another goal on the board.”

While the Patriots kept the game interesting, there was never any doubt the Jags were the better team. In the first half, Kalish had a goal sandwiched between two apiece by Kaitlyn Henning and Kingsborough.

Kalish did most of her damage after halftime, scoring three straight goals, including two off free positions, to extend the Jaguars lead to 10-5 midway through.

“We work together so well because we’re such good friends,” said Kalish, who added an assist and a caused turnover to her stat line. “It just all comes together and we trust each other so much that it makes everything else so much easier and it just makes everything fall into place.”

GV won the battle to the ball all game. Kate Stankavage dominated with six draw controls and seven ground balls. Sydney Pyon contributed three draw controls and five ground balls. Kendall DiCamillo chipped in two ground balls and two caused turnovers. Maya Langin racked up five ground balls.

“We all have each other’s backs and that’s important,” Kalish said. “So, if you take that risk to try to jump a pass or whatever else you want to do, like go for a check, we’ll have each other’s backs and we can get to where we need to go.”

One player the Garnet Valley defense couldn’t contain was Caitlin Giandonato, who accounted for five goals, including all four of the Patriots’ markers after halftime.

“She was really good at finding a hole and getting open,” Bendo said of Giandonato. “If you turned your head for a split second, she was able to get open. You just have to give her credit, she was having a great game.”

Great Valley goalie Sydney Manning kept her squad in the game, turning aside 19 Garnet shots.

“She was not making it easy for us, but that’s just when you’ve got to work harder,” Kalish said.

Garnet Valley (18-2) has two losses this season — one against No. 1 Conestoga, one against No. 2 Radnor. The Jaguars get a chance at redemption Tuesday.

“We played them once and we’re excited to get back out there and play them again and just work as hard as we can to see what happens,” Kalish said.