Fast start sends Upper Dublin past Souderton in District 1-3A opener

UPPER DUBLIN >> This wasn’t the same Upper Dublin team that lost to Souderton two weeks ago.

First thing, the Cardinals had Jackie Rama for the entire game and not just a half. Second, they had Mack Moore back. Third, and maybe most important, they were ready this time.

The No. 14 Cardinals got some payback on the No. 19 Indians, racing out to a big lead and controlling the game in a 13-8 win in the first round of the District 1-3A girls lacrosse tournament on Tuesday.

“We wanted it so badly,” UD senior Becky Browndorf said. “They beat us on our Senior Night, which hurt. Last year, we also lost in the first round of playoffs so coming out here and winning is huge.”

Last time the teams met, UD didn’t have Moore at all due to injury and Rama missed the first half due to a family funeral. Without their top scorer and their draw control force, the Cardinals never got into a flow and lost 15-13.

They also couldn’t stop Souderton’s Riley McGowan, who burned the UD defense for eight goals. Tuesday, that was first priority.

“Last time they just out-played us,” Upper Dublin coach Dee Cross said. “Our defense really buckled down. We gave Aidan (Hopkins) the job of marking Riley McGowan, and you can’t stop her but between Aidan and Becky sliding and fronting her, that made the difference tonight.”

It also opened the door for a rocket-quick start by the Cardinals. Once Rama settled into a roll in the draw control circle, the hosts started pouring in goals.

Upper Dublin soared out to a 5-0 lead by the 17:17 mark of the first half, prompting an Indians timeout. McGowan was able to break the shutout, but UD scored the next four goals for a 9-1 lead with 9:37 left in the first half.

“Rama’s obviously very good on the draw and possession was a big part of this game,” Souderton coach Nancy Offner said. “Having Mack Moore in there too, she really lights a fire. Defensively we started a little slow and it was a tough one to come back from.”

Browndorf, who scored twice and assisted two goals in the first half, saw a very different UD squad on Tuesday.

“It all starts with the draw and Jackie is so good on the draw,” Browndorf said. “We really played well. I think we came out ready to play today and we were on the pedal. I don’t know, we didn’t really let up.”

Five different players scored in the first half for UD, with Rama leading all scorers with four goals. Moore notched one on each side of halftime and Julia Reardon grabbed a hat trick for UD.

Browndorf felt her side just kept moving on Tuesday. Offensively, they kept the ball working around and took advantage of Souderton’s slow start while defensively, they moved their feet to slide and cover for each other.

“Sometimes I rely too much on instinct and it doesn’t work well,” the Florida-bound Browndorf said. “But I just try to keep my head up on a swivel and look for my teammates. It feels good when your teammate scores off your pass. Our cutters do a great job getting open and seeing the net.”

Temple-bound McGowan finished her career with a hat trick and Lauren Kenah added two second half goals for the Indians. Lauren Scott made eight saves to end her standout high school career.

Cross said it was the Cardinals’ first opening round win in five years and she was proud of the way her team came out. Upper Dublin will face No. 3 Conestoga in Thursday’s second round.

Browndorf noted the feeling after last year’s first round loss was really deflating and as a senior, she wanted to earn a few more days with her team.

She was also able to pick out the biggest difference in the two games pretty easily.

“Energy. We needed it,” Browndorf said. “On Senior Night there’s so many distractions sometimes you don’t focus on the game that much. Tonight, we came out, got after the ball and wanted it more.”