Churchill, Whitman prepare for key rematch; St. Albans makes habit of close games

The young Bulldogs had other plans though and have gelled more quickly than their coach predicted, going 6-1-1 to open the season with their only loss coming Dec. 4 against Calvert Hall. Since then, St. Albans has won all but one game and has developed a habit of earning victories in dramatic fashion, with three of the Bulldogs’ last four contests ending on the game’s final play.

The Bulldogs began their last-second heroics Dec. 12 against Bullis when the game-winning goal hit the net with just 0.4 of a second left to play. They continued it the following week against Baltimore’s Mount St. Joseph, when St. Albans pulled its goalie and scored an equalizing goal with 30 seconds left to escape with a 2-2 tie. Last Friday, St. Albans surrendered a three-goal lead against Georgetown Prep before besting the Little Hoyas in overtime, 4-3.

“We definitely are feeling a lot of momentum and we’re definitely feeling that our work is paying off,” senior goalie Tucker Boyle said. “We’re convinced that we’re doing the things the other teams aren’t, and that’s why we’re winning games. Against Georgetown Prep, we’re thinking that they’re not going in on Saturday mornings early and lifting, and that’s the difference when it comes to overtime, that we have the energy and so we have a ton of confidence in ourselves to win these close games.”

The Bulldogs have much work to do though if they hope to continue their hot streak. St. Albans’ schedule will take a decidedly difficult turn in the coming weeks, with games against No. 6 Churchill, No. 1 Gonzaga and No. 8 DeMatha followed by contests against St. Stephen’s/St. Agnes, No. 4 Landon and No. 10 Spalding.

Ryan is realistic about the schedule and admitted that the Bulldogs simply don’t have the depth that their upcoming opponents do. Still, Ryan said he hopes the confidence from his team’s hot start will help carry them through the rough stretch.

“It’s going to get tougher, but obviously I can’t complain with the start. We’re probably in a better position than I thought we would be,” he said. “When we get against these teams that can throw three lines, and even four lines at us that are all really good, hopefully we’ll be able to withstand some of that and always have confidence that we’re in the game.”

Rankings

Spalding makes its first appearance of the season in the rankings after beating No. 8 DeMatha in back-to-back games last week. . . . Marriotts Ridge (6-2) drops out of the No. 10 spot after one week, following an 8-3 loss Monday to Glenelg. Marriotts Ridge had won the teams’ first meeting this season, 10-3. . . . Woodbridge won its first game since Dec. 10 with a 7-0 victory over the provisional team from Forest Park and Mountain View.

1. Gonzaga (12-3-1) LW: 1

2. Stone Bridge (7-0) LW: 2

3. Atholton (6-0) LW: 3

4. Landon (9-2-1) LW: 4

5. Briar Woods (5-1) LW: 5

6. Churchill (9-2) LW: 6

7. Whitman (6-2-2) LW: 8

8. DeMatha (12-10-2) LW: 7

9. Woodbridge (4-0) LW: 9

10. Spalding (9-2) LW: NR

Records through Tuesday.