Ryken Rides Past Good Counsel Into First Place

For St. Mary's Ryken sophomore goalkeeper Andrew Wascavage, the pressure he feels in net is usually nothing compared to the detailed critique he gets from his older brother, Joe, on the car ride home.

But yesterday, after the Knights won one of the biggest games in the history of their program, Andrew expected a joyful trip back to Southern Maryland.

Ryken beat Good Counsel, 8-6, by scoring three goals in the final quarter of a defensive struggle.

The win assured the Knights of their best finish in school history and a tie for first place in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference standings. Ryken and DeMatha finished with just one WCAC loss, with the Knights (14-2, 7-1) beating the Stags earlier this season.

"It's huge," said Andrew Wascavage, who had 15 saves behind a defense led by his brother Joe, a senior who will play at Towson next year. "We knew we would have to fight for a win today and we did."

Ryken entered its final regular season game against Good Counsel (14-3, 6-2) with its back against the wall. Not only did it suffer its first conference loss to Gonzaga on Tuesday, but injuries to key starters left the Knights short-handed. Leading scorers Zach Angel (bruised ribs) and Taylor Cook (concussion) were sidelined.

With the score tied at 5 after three quarters, the first four minutes of the final quarter were scoreless. Ryken took a 6-5 lead when sophomore Kyle Yates took a crossing pass and scored just as he was leveled by a defender.

"I remember the excitement of the shot, followed by a face full of dirt," Yates said. "I never even saw it go in."

It was the turning point in a game in which neither team led by more than two goals.

Minutes later, the Falcons seemingly tied the game, but the goal was disallowed because the shooter was in the crease. Good Counsel was whistled for unsportsmanlike conduct on the play, and Ryken stalled with the man advantage, extending its lead to 7-5 when Phil Mergner scored as the penalty expired.

"It's a big win for our program," said Ryken Coach John Sothoron, whose team will start WCAC tournament play next week. "We don't want it to stop here. But it's something good to build on."

No. 5 St. Mary's Ryken 8, Good Counsel 6 Spreading It Around: The game's 14 goals were scored by 11 different players. Three players scored two goals each. Streak Busters: Ryken snapped Good Counsel's six-game winning streak. The Falcons' run included a win over Gonzaga on Thursday.