MILTON, Ga. – The Milton girls lacrosse team pulled off a late comeback to beat Cambridge High 12-8, avenging last year’s narrow 8-7 loss to the Bears.
Both teams share one common loss this season-to West Forsyth. Milton’s only defeat so far was a 12-9 loss there. Meanwhile, Cambridge has dropped two extra games against Florida teams Ponte Vedra and Lake Highland Prep.
The last time they faced off, Bears goalie Susie Mc Elheny kept the Eagles scoreless in the final period to seal a win for Cambridge.
This time, Milton refused to let that happen in the fourth quarter. After Cambridge went on a 5-0 run starting early in the second quarter, senior attacker Kylie Waters scored from close range to tie things up.
Then the Taglienti sisters, Anna Kate and Eleanor, added two more goals for Milton before Waters netted her fifth goal on a free position shot, finishing off a 4-0 run in that final quarter.
Waters shared how their team came together when it mattered most.
“When we’re in a rush on offense, that’s when we make our most mistakes,” she said. “I think we did a really good job taking our time and being patient because we just wanted it more.”
Waters was often guarded by Cambridge’s Johnson sisters, Gabi and Abby. Gabi, who’s a senior, played club lacrosse alongside Waters with Eagle Stix and they attended many recruiting camps together.
After the game, Waters, Gabi and some other players from both sides gathered for a group photo. She said knowing each other well makes their matchups even more competitive-there’s kind of a rivalry despite their friendship.
“I just love playing against [Gabi] because she really challenges me,” Waters said.
Milton girls lacrosse head coach Tim Godby gives instructions from the sidelines at Milton High School March 24.
KENNY GRIMES PHOTOGRAPHY/PROVIDED
She credited the coaching staff for sparking their second wind in that last quarter.
“Honestly, I think we play best when we get yelled at,” she said. “The name written over our chest doesn’t make us a winner. We actually have to win the game, that’s what Coach Meg told us.”
Head coach Tim Godby mentioned that after struggling against West Forsyth recently, his Eagles showed up strong for this big rivalry matchup.
“I just knew all we had to do was just execute,” he said. “We’ve been working on being more patient offensively. Our defense had a lapse in the middle of the game, and they picked it up at the end when it counted, got some stops, some ground balls, rose to the occasion when they had to.”
Eagles goalie Alyssa Brackley stopped two of four free position shots by Cambridge and also grabbed two interceptions leading to turnovers.
Milton scored five goals before Mia Johnson put Cambridge on the board with a transition goal.
Gabi led her team with three goals and three assists along with one draw control, one caused turnover and four ground balls.
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Seniory Logan Collen also played big with two goals – including one where she caught an off-target pass then spun around quickly to direct play where she wanted it going next.
Cambridge attacker Kasey Dwyer faced tough defense from Milton which held her mostly quiet through much of first half until she finally scored on a free position shot later on. The Bears got help from Dwyer again too as she notched two assists while getting drawn into circle draws late fourth quarter after sophomore Linden Donner left temporarily.
Donner later returned pulling down four draw controls helping spark Bear’s five-goal rally. Cambridge’s defense had been solid holding several top players scoreless but struggled down stretch missing Donner.
Milton has tough weekend ahead facing nationally ranked IMG of Florida then Notre Dame Academy (Maryland) back-to-back March 27 & 28 at home. Cambridge plays next March 26 vs Pope.
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