The Riverview Rams (6-4, 3-0) Varsity Girls made a short road trip to northern Sarasota County to take on the Out-of-Door Academy Thunder (1-6) on Wednesday evening. The Rams jumped out to a quick 13-2 lead in the first half, with junior Susan Lowther scoring 6 goals, and sophomores Clementine Schwartz and Caroline Steinwachs also adding a couple of goals for Riverview. Lowther and Steinwachs would combine for 5 more goals in the second half to secure the 18-7 victory for the Rams. Lowther finished the game with 10 points (9G/1A) and Steinwachs had 6 points (4G/2A). The Rams had a solid night with the draw control, winning 69% of draws, with Lowther controlling 10 draws.

Lowther’s 9 goals tied the Rams single game record for goals, a record Susan set last April against Sarasota.

ODA’s scoring came from two players, junior Emma Arrigo (4 goals) and sophomore Ellie Hierholzer (3 goals).

The Lady Rams started their 2020 season with a huge matchup against the defending District Champions, Out-of-Door Academy Thunder.  The Rams lost to the Thunder in the 2019 District 17 Lacrosse Championship, 17-2.

It’s a new season, and the Rams got off to a very quick start, and were able to take a 10-5 lead in the first half.  During the second half, the Rams continued their offensive barrage and secured their first win of the season, 16-12.  Senior Gabriella Connelly led all scorers with 4 goals, 2 assists, 3 groundballs and 3 caused turnovers. Freshmen Camille Johnson had 4 goals and 1 assist. Clara Keyvani, Riley Spingler & Brooke Whitmore also had 2 goals apiece.

“Dreaming ’bout being a big star…They say you’re basic, they say you’re easy…” ~ Imagine Dragons

Riverview Rams… Congratulations! This one is yours!

Did you seriously just walk onto the field after being down at halftime …by 2 Goals …to the Out-of-Door Academy THUNDER? … On their Home Field? …and walk away with a victory? …WOW!

For those of you not ‘in the know’… The ODA Thunder represents women’s lacrosse with a high level of professionalism and skill. Tonight’s game demonstrates just how far Coach Ashley McLeod has taken the team in a remarkably short period of time. Not only did the Rams stick to the basics but they demonstrated patience and control of the clock. This may be the first time we have seen the Lady Rams utilize their passing skills to effectively stall the clock while holding onto their lead for approximately three and a half minutes remaining in the game. If I am incorrect, it IS absolutely the first time they were able to utilize an effective stall strategy vs. such an ominous opponent. GO RAMS!

In order to place themselves into the position of holding onto a lead, our athletes held firm during a first half where  the THUNDER won the opening face off and scored 0:11 seconds into the game. The Thunder maintained that lead throughout the first half. The Rams tied the score once on a goal by Marisa Souchak with 13:32 remaining in the first half. However, the idea that a Rams victory could be achieved sparked a recovery attack by ODA ultimately leading to the 2 goal deficit at half time….

Then… the Cheerleaders arrived…

The Riverview Rams Men’s Lacrosse team began to initiate an excitement that swamped the stands and then the field when Ronni McCurdy opened the second half in a similar fashion to how the THUNDER opened the first half. Number 13 slid one past the Thunder’s exceptionally talented goalie just 0:14 seconds into the second half. This shot seemed to announce that the Rams were not simply ‘here to play’… They were here to WIN.

They obviously utilized advice from Coaches McLeod and O’Neill to remain patient and work through ODA’s zone defense that had proven very effective in the opening portions of the game. Our Rams fielded ground balls, checked sticks and intercepted passes… they even drew a charging penalty… effectively demonstrating their will power to STAND THEIR GROUND. In the end, they demonstrated a reason to cheer and the Men’s Lacrosse Team fed off their LIGHTNING and reflected that power back to the field in a form of RAMS THUNDER which has to be heard to be truly appreciated! THANK YOU RIVERVIEW MEN!

On the field the numbers are simple… ODA controlled the ball on the draws but by recovering 29 ground balls our Lady Rams showed no quit! We tied the game with 20:52 remaining and never looked back!

This game was all about team work! Therefore, honorable mentions will be excluded, as the stats have been recorded. This is a team that has a mark of success due to it’s great combination of determination and collaboration.

When it comes down to it. No one was certain of tonight’s challenge but it seems the girls were able to reach deep down inside and ask a very specific question… one I feel they answered…

“Who do you think you are?” ~ Imagine Dragons

Recap Contributor – C. Kulak

It was a slow start for our Rams in tonight’s loss to Out-Of-Door Academy who scored 3 quick goals in the 5th minute of the game..  That minute haunted the Rams for the remainder of the game as they were continually battling back from the deficit it created.

Our girls did step it up in the second half out-scoring ODA 10-7. This surge was led by Lauren Brown who took 10 draws in the half (which is the exact number of draws we won in the half. Three were won directly by Brown, five were won by Veronica McCurdy… and two more by Marisa Souchak) In fact for a short run there when it appeared the Rams were about to take control there was a magical combo of “4-13-25 (Brown to McCurdy to Souchak) for the goal!”

In the end, McCurdy and Souchak combined for 12 of the Rams 17 Goals. Lauren Brown, Eden Byholm and Kate Zoltak rounded out the scoring… but the most important goal of the night came from Chloe Keegan who marked her first check in that category… EVER!

You read it here first ladies and gentleman, Chloe Keegan reached the back of the net for the first time with 0:56 left in the first half… under the light of nearly full moon at Out-Of-Door Academy! GO CHLOE!