Loyola Stuns Gilman, Wins MIAA Title

By: Jeff Seidel

Loyola won its second consecutive Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association A Conference lacrosse title Tuesday night -- but it wasn’t easy.

The Dons repeated as conference champions with a tough 12-11 victory over previously unbeaten Gilman. Despite watching Gilman’s Davey Emala scored seven goals, Loyola hung on in the fourth quarter in the title game at Towson University.

Loyola finished with a 13-4 record while Gilman ended at 18-1.

The game swung back and forth throughout, and Loyola appeared in command when it took a 10-7 fourth-quarter edge. But the Greyhounds roared back to tie the game.

Neil Hutchinson got the tie-breaking goal for Loyola, and the Dons never trailed again. Rob Fitzpatrick added an insurance goal for a 12-10 lead late.

But Emala cut it to one with less than two minutes left. Still, the Greyhounds could do no more, and the championship went to Loyola. Joe Cummings had three goals to lead the way in the victory. The Greyhounds tried to shut down Steele Stanwick, but he still got one goal and two assists.

Loyola is the first team to repeat as conference champions in 13 years.