Tuesday Boys Lacrosse: Gvozden, Falcons get by Seahawks for third time this year | Maryland Gazette (HometownGlenBurnie.com)

Unfortunately for South River, the third time was not the charm. Despite opening up an early lead, the visiting and No. 6 Seahawks fell to No. 2 Severna Park, 10-7, in a 4A East region semifinal.

The Falcons, having defeated South River three times in the past 11 days and in search of their seventh straight region championship, travel to Leonardtown tonight.

Sophomores Adam McBride and Kyle Zorn had two goals and one assist each, and junior Sam Jones added a goal and an assist for the Falcons, who received a stellar defensive effort overall and nine saves from senior Andrew Gvozden despite an early, two-goal deficit.

"We just are not a very good first-quarter team sometimes, and they got us early on before on us," Gvozden said. "Instead of freaking out, we did what a good team would do and we took our time and settled down."

The Seahawks got on board early as junior Alex Carros scored a little more than a minute in and Taylor Giordano added a tally about two minutes later on an extra-man opportunity.

"They have some big guns that we had to shut down because we knew if they could get their shots, they could score," Severna Park coach Larry Kramer said. "We just wanted to keep the momentum and steal them where we could steal them on defense."

Trailing 3-2 going into the second quarter, Gvozden and the Falcons' defense turned it up a notch and shut out the Seahawks in the period. Zorn and junior Brendan Noone scored 47 seconds apart late in the quarter to give Severna Park a two-goal advantage going into the locker room. The Seahawks were held scoreless for nearly 17 minutes spanning the first and third quarters.

Junior Matt Gregoire moved the Seahawks within one on a score with 7:48 left in the third quarter, but the Falcons cruised from there. Jones scored, followed by senior Jeff McGuire (two goals). After junior Drew Lee brought the Seahawks within two, Zorn closed out the third with an unassisted score.

South River couldn't get consistent scoring opportunities.

"The defense played awesome tonight," Gvozden said. "I could not ask for a better game from them. They kept South River's shots on the outside, which made it easier for me."

Lee led the Seahawks with three goals and two assists, and Carros and senior Mac Radcliffe each had a goal and an assist.

The Falcons' defense, which has held opponents to 4.6 goals a game without a double-digit showing, was impressive again in the fourth quarter, allowing only two late goals.

They now turn right around and defend their title on the road.

"We had a lot to lose tonight," Kramer said. "We picked up and adjusted on their schemes, and it was a chess match after that. Once our offense got moving and we took some nice shots, we took the game in hand. Tomorrow it is back to work. We are banged up a bit, but so is Leonardtown."

So. River (11-5) 3 0 2 2 - 7

Sev. Park (15-3) 2 3 3 2 - 10

GOALS: SR - Lee 3, Carros, Giordano, Gregoire, Radcliffe. SP - McBride 2, McGuire 2, Zorn 2, Noone, Jones, Mundell, Nilsen. ASSISTS: SR - Lee 2, Radcliffe, Carros. SP - Price 2, McBride, Zorn, Jones. SAVES: SR - Guarino 7. SP - Gvozden 9. SHOTS: SR - 17. SP - 29. FACEOFFS: SR - 10. SP - 10.

In other Tuesday boys lacrosse:

KENT ISLAND 13, EASTON 7: Austin Clancy, Greg Joyce and Joey Thomas each scored three goals to help the Buccaneers advance to the 3A-2A East Region finals against Northeast.

Jeff Joyce made eight saves to secure the victory for Kent Island.

Schneider, Joyce and Thomas each added an assist.

Jake Griffith scored four goals for the Warriors.

Easton 0 1 1 5 - 7

Kent Island (13-1) 2 4 4 3 - 13

GOALS: KI - Clancy 3, G. Joyce 3, Thomas 3, Schneider 2, Brown 1, Suplee 1; EA - Griffith 4, Phillips 2, Hill 1. ASSISTS: KI - English 5, Schneider 1, G. Joyce 1, Thomas 1; EA - Phillips 2, Sturdevant 1. SAVES: KI - J. Joyce 8; EA - Levin 9. SHOTS: KI - 34; EA - 23. GROUND BALLS: KI - 41; EA - 32. FACEOFFS: KI - 11; EA - 9.

SOUTHERN 9, QUEEN ANNE'S 4: Junior Jimmy Gibbons led the Bulldogs with three goals and five assists, as they advanced over the hosting Lions in the 3A East semifinals. Senior Zach Jackson added another three goals and senior Daniel Dowd added a goal and an assist for the Bulldogs. Junior goalkeeper Ike Riggs notched 12 saves in the victory.

Southern advances to face Parkside in Wicomico County for the 2A-1A East Region championship.

Southern (7-6) 3 1 3 2 - 9

Queen Anne's 1 2 0 1 - 4

GOALS: SO - Jackson 3, Gibbons 3, H. Riggs, Dowd, Rogers; QA - Q. Hailey, Germann, Miller, Kimbles. ASSISTS: SO - Gibbons 5, Dowd; QA - Germann, Kimbles, Shaw. SAVES: SO - I. Riggs 12; QA - J. Hailey 7. SHOTS: SO - 29; QA - 38. GROUND BALLS: SO - 36; QA - 36. FACEOFFS: SO - 6; QA - 10.

JOHN CARROLL 19, AACS 8: Despite four goals from sophomore Cody Thomas, the Eagles were eliminated by the host Patriots. Senior James Baden added three goals and an assist, with senior Gil Trainor's single goal rounding up the scorers for AACS. Junior D.J. Wayne led the Eagles with two assists.