Carroll nips Radnor in OT

by Greg Alzamora, MainLine Times 5/11/06

     After missing her first two shots low, Archbishop Carroll's Megan Brennan made an adjustment in overtime. Upon getting some friendly advice, she decided to go high next time and the move paid off in a big way.
     With time running down in overtime, Brennan ran clear down the right side and beat Radnor goalie Stephanie Ellis up top to score the game-winner and give Carroll its first win over Radnor in seven years in a thrilling 8-7 final Friday afternoon at Radnor High.
     It was Brennan's lone goal of the game, but possibly the biggest of her high school career. The Carroll senior will be playing lacrosse at Monmouth next year.
     Only a week earlier, Carroll was throttled by powerful Conestoga on the same field. To return and get a win was vindication of sorts for the girls.
     They didn't leave much time on the clock as Brennan's score came with less than 20 seconds remaining in OT. "I wasn't going to to to the goal but I looked up (at the clock) and was thinking that if I don't shoot this now I'll regret it forever," said Brennan. "I have to shoot this."
     Overtime would have never happened if not for the stellar performance turned in from Carroll's second-half goalkeeper Megan Corliss. Radnor completely dominated second-half play, but time after time Corliss came up with save after save, many at point blank range.
     The Raiders were able to battle back from a 5-3 halftime deficit to take a 7-6 lead with 2:50 remaining, thanks to a score from Meme Jones. However, Jackie DePetris scored the equalizer a minute later to force overtime. She finished the game as high scorer with three goals and teammates Cara Filippelli and Mary Beth Brophy both added a pair. Seven players scored once for Radnor.
     Corliss and Maura Gallagher combined for 10 saves for Carroll. "While I was warming up with the JV team I was really nervous and having a bad warm-up," said Corliss. "But as soon as I got the first ground ball I was pumped up and ready to go."
     Playing against Brennan in practice, she knew exactly what shot she would take on the game-winner. "She always takes that top corner in practice," added Corliss. "I knew she would take that shot. When she started coming around that side I knew she was going top corner, and I knew it was going in."
     "These girls never give up," said Carroll coach Lorraine Beers. "We've been playing Radnor for five years and we have never beaten them. This is a big thing for the seniors to make their mark as the only team to beat Radnor."

Carroll 8, Radnor 7

Shots  Radnor 23, Carroll 16
Goalie Saves  Radnor: Ellis - 7, Carroll, Gallagher 3, Corliss 7

Goals  Carroll   DePetris 3, Brophy 2, Filippelli 2     Radnor   Lussier, C. Barnes, Donohue, Yakulis, Cryan, K. Barnes, Jones