St. Anne’s-Belfield’s boys lacrosse team’s schedule is built to test the Saints early, and despite suffering a loss Wednesday night, the defending state champions acquitted themselves well against one of the top programs in the country in Loyola Blakefield. STAB fell 13-10 in the clash that serves as a tune-up for Friday’s rivalry clash with St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes Friday night.
The Dons, who are coached by former UVa standout Ben Rubeor, were ranked No. 8 in the country as of March 23 in the Nike/Lacrosse Magazine Boys’ National High School Top 25 and have beaten other top notch programs like Haverford and Landon already this season.
Wednesday, with four goals and two assists from Johns Hopkins commitment Cole Williams and Phil Wies scoring three more, Loyola pulled away for the win in the second half.
Still, STAB competed hard against the Dons, trailing by just a goal at halftime. Loyola put together a strong start to the third quarter and led 10-6 early in that frame.
Phillip Robertson poured in four goals for the Saints while Joe Robertson and Jack Schultz each had two goals and two assists. Josh Reiss scored once while Javon Johnson had two assists, including one particularly creative feed on an underhand scoop on the doorstep of the goal that found Schultz’s stick in the third quarter.
STAB held Loyola scoreless for the final seven and a half minutes of the game as the Dons looked to milk clock, but untimely turnovers prevented the Saints from stringing together a fourth quarter rally.
The Saints play a critical game Friday night with SSSA, a game that will likely have a big impact on the VISAA Division I standings.
