Girls state lacrosse: Benilde-St. Margaret’s 8, Two Rivers/Gentry Academy 7, OT
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Trailing 7-4 in the second half of a state tournament against a quality opponent would rattle a lot of teams.
Not Benilde-St. Margaret’s, if for no reason than it was awfully familiar territory for the Red Knights.
That was the exact same second-half deficit they faced in their section final against Wazata, before rallying to top the Trojans 9-8 in overtime.
A familiar script played out Tuesday, as Benilde-St. Margaret’s scored the game’s final four goals to edge Two Rivers/Gentry Academy 8-7 in overtime in the state quarterfinals at Roseville Area High School to advance to Thursday’s semifinals.
Sophomore attacker Maggie Grazcyk bagged the game-winner in overtime off a pass from Julia Evens. Grazcyk said the play was an isolation from Evens, and when the defender slid over to help on the drive, she was there for the easy feed and finish.
“Then just bury it low,” she said. “(It felt) pretty good.”
Grazcyk scored each of the game’s final three goals, while the fourth-seeded Red Knights (15-2) held the Warriors scoreless for the game’s final 14 minutes. Tilly Wolfe also scored three goals.
“We just channeled that (section final),” Grazcyk said. “Just focused on taking our time and that it was our game and we could put the ball in the back of the net.”
Making their first state tournament appearance, fifth-seeded Warriors led for much of the game, with their lead ballooning as large as three. Jaylen Rosga, Eva Anderson and Samantha Hohn each netted two goals for the Warriors (13-2).
The Warriors had chances to win the game at the end of regulation and on the first possession of overtime but couldn’t beat Red Knights’ goalie Brooke Nelson. Still, Warriors coach Jeff Rosga liked the way his team battled.
“They didn’t quit, they battled back, they made plays and we gave ourselves an opportunity, and that’s all you can really ask for,” Rosga said. “Does it hurt? Yeah. Does it sting, especially for some of the seniors? Absolutely. You can see it with some of the tears. But that’s sports. The best part is we had an opportunity all game.”
