St. Anne’s-Belfield will get a chance to defend its state title Saturday, and the Saints didn’t have much trouble getting there Friday, rolling 18-10 over Episcopal Friday evening.
STAB got a lot of offensive help from non-conventional sources in the win over the Maroon. Hobey Jiranek, STAB’s lightning quick midfielder who plays a big role in the clearing game, poured in five goals against Episcopal while Tim Werner posted a hat trick and Michael Morris scored four goals.
The usual offensive standouts for the Saints had strong games too, with Andrew Crockett scoring four goals and an assist while Owen Van Arsdale dished out four assists to go with two goals. Chapin Speidel and Connor McCullough did an execellent job triggering the offense, with two and three assists respectively.
Austin Geisler was, as usual, a rock in goal with 15 saves.
The win sets up a rematch of last year’s state title game with St. Stephen’s/St. Agnes at 4 p.m. Saturday at Norfolk Academy. STAB won that game, but fell 13-8 to SSSA earlier this season. Since that loss, St. Anne’s has won 16 straight games.
St. Stephen’s boasts several fluid, speedy offensive threats including David Solomon and Peter Milley.
