- November 5, 2024
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Trailing by six goals early in the game, the Lady Pirates lacrosse team rallied to win its first state playoff game.
In an overtime thriller, the Matanzas girls lacrosse team won its first state playoff game Friday, April 28, defeating Oak Hall, 12-10, and punching a ticket to the Elite 8.
But the game wasn’t close in the early stages.
Eight minutes into the second-round game, Matanzas was in an early 2-0 deficit.
About five minutes later, the deficit grew larger, to 4-0.
With seven minutes to go in the first half, Matanzas trailed, 6-0.
Early on, things were looking bleak for the Lady Pirates.
But with five minutes to go in the first half, senior Megan Shore scored on a free position penalty. Then with a few seconds left in the half, Stephanie Giminez — the team’s leading scorer — narrowed the deficit with a goal.
At halftime, the Lady Pirates trailed, 6-2.
But Matanzas coach Bill Hanrahan wasn’t panicking. At halftime, he said he didn’t really have to tell his team a whole lot.
“They were so tired and fragile from the emotional (win over) FPC, that we decided not to beat on them,” Hanrahan said. He said it was more motivational, telling his team they just needed to chip away at the lead.
“We just played the worst half of lacrosse we could play and we’re only down 6-2,” he told his team.
As the second half got under way, the Lady Pirates woke up. Seven minutes into the half, the score was cut to 6-5. Then, after a few back-and-forth plays, Matanzas took its first lead, 8-7, with 11:19 remaining.
With the game tied at nine, junior Danica Leili put the Lady Pirates ahead with less than four minutes to go, but with about 10 seconds remaining in the game, Oak Hall scored on a penalty.
Overtime.
There were two three-minute overtime periods to play.
And with 1:12 to go in the first, Giminez scored the eventual game-winner for Matanzas. The Lady Pirates tacked on a security goal with 1:27 to go in the second OT.
Game over.
“We were a little concerned at a certain point, but at the same time, we understood Oak Hall was young,” Hanrahan said after the game. “If we stay in and hang around long enough ... they might start getting a little worried. I think their (youth) did wear them out a little bit.”
Before Hanrahan took over the program, the Lady Pirates had won three games in three seasons. It was his goal to help get the team in the Top 30 out of the approximately 120 girls lacrosse programs in Florida.
“Right now, we’re in the last eight, and that’s a good thing for us,” he said.
Matanzas played Bartram Trail 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 1, at Bartram, in the third round. Earlier this season, Matanzas lost to Bartram, 16-6. For results, go to www.Palm CoastObserver.com.
THIRD ROUND
Matanzas played Bartram Trial Tuesday, May 1, in the third round of the state tournament. For results from Tuesday night, go to www.PalmCoastObserver.com.
