Saints roll to win over Eagles

After dispatching Western Albemarle on Tuesday, the St. Anne’s-Belfield boys lacrosse team turned its attention to another local rival in Covenant.
On Thursday evening, the Saints flew past the Eagles, 13-5, thanks in part to a five-goal performance from Jack Thomasson.
“This was a grinding week,” said Saints coach Doug Tarring. “But there was more at stake from a rivalry aspect than a state aspect.”
Owen Van Arsdale was instrumental in the win, logging two goals and four assists.
“It was nice to get going on senior night,” Van Arsdale said. “In the second quarter, we just really started to click and find some holes.”
STAB (13-5) blew the game open in the second, scoring five times, and allowing no goals.
“We always get fired up for Covenant, no matter the event,” Thomasson said. “Owen and I just kind of played with the defenders on the side and know when each other are open and just let it rip.”
The seven-goal lead heading into the second half was more than enough for the Saints. While Covenant (12-4) rolled with the punches in the third and fourth quarters, the Eagles were unable to chew into the lead.
“When we’re not clicking on all cylinders, we’re not a great team,” said Covenant coach Dave Breslin. “That, coupled with playing against a great team, you’re not going to get the greatest results.”
Luke Heinsohn and Andy Colberg were the bright spots offensively for the Eagles. The two combined for three goals and three assists.
“I thought our guys fought hard and kept their heads up,” Breslin said. “We made some plays, but against a great team, you’ve got to make more than just a few plays.”
Conversely, Tarring - who has seen his team roll through a challenging schedule — is happy with the progress his team has made heading into the postseason.
“At the beginning of the year, we’d score eight or nine but give up eight or nine,” Tarring said. “Now we’re scoring in double digits, and giving up in single digits. The defense has been playing as a unit.”
Covenant’s postseason begins this weekend. The Eagles travel to Virginia Episcopal on Saturday at 5 p.m.
STAB, which is waiting to find out its next opponent, begins postseason play on Tuesday.