Archbishop Carroll and Bishop Ireton came out fast in the girls varsity contest in Alexandria Friday, but it was the Cardinals that cooled off while the Lions roared by them for a 69-36 win Friday.
Both clubs scored early and often as the visiting Carroll edged out to an 18-13 advantage in a high-scoring opening stanza. While the Lions kept up the torrid scoring pace, they also turned up the defensive pressure with devastating effect. The 15-3 margin in the second period seemingly doomed the home team to a setback as they headed to the locker room down 33-16.
Ireton rebounded in the third quarter, outscoring the green and gold clad opponents 15-13 but still trailed 46-31 heading into the final period. Once again, Coach Edith White’s Lions stepped it up on offense and piled 23 4th quarter points on the Cardinals to win the game going away.
Junior Cece Leone again led Ireton with 14 points while Alex Stipano contributed six and Charlotte Sofield added 4. Archbishop Carroll was led by three players in double figures, including Courtney Crawford with 12, Jenna Patterson with 11, and Kenyatta Butler with 10.
Next up for the Cardinals is Middleburg Academy at 1pm on Saturday in Godley Gym. The 7-7 Dragons had a tight game last year in Middleburg with the visiting Cardinals who end their current home stand Saturday, returning to WCAC play at Bishop McNamara on Tuesday.