Kellenberg girls lacrosse's Delaney Clark makes eight saves, seven players score in win over Sacred Heart
Kellenberg teammates celebrate after their 8-7 win over host Sacred Heart on Saturday. Credit: James Escher
There couldn’t have been a more perfect ending to the Kellenberg girls lacrosse team’s regular season. The Firebirds defeated Sacred Heart, 8-7, on the road Saturday, beating the Spartans for the first time since 2021 in the NSCHSAA Class AA division.
“It’s been a long time coming,” Kellenberg coach Anne Masiulis said. “We’ve always been neck-and-neck with them and I’m glad it was able to finish in our favor.”
The last meeting between the teams — on April 16 — ended on a Sacred Heart goal in overtime. Senior goalkeeper Delaney Clark said that coming back at the very end of the season and earning the victory on Saturday was a special moment.
“It has always been a competitive game between us, and I feel like we always just fall short,” said Clark, a Holy Cross commit who made eight saves. “To finally get there, on my final chance, it’s just an amazing feeling.”
“Delaney really is able to change the entire game,” junior midfielder Kate Maier said. “We wouldn’t be able to do it without her.”
The Firebirds opened the scoring just over a minute and a half into the contest with a goal from Maier. They led 2-1 at the end of the first quarter, 5-3 at halftime and maintained a two-goal lead (7-5) entering the fourth.
“We always want to go in with a good start and build off of that momentum,” said Maier, who had two goals. “We played really unselfishly and worked together on moving the ball quickly on offense.”
With eight minutes remaining, Sacred Heart sophomore Allie Reasoner scored to cut the deficit to 7-6. Kellenberg’s Rachel Nagengast scored with three minutes left to give the Firebirds a 8-6 advantage.
But Sacred Heart wouldn’t go away. With just over two minutes remaining, Cadence Flaherty found Rhylee Kirchner on a cut to the middle and Kirchner scored to make it 8-7.
The Firebirds ran out the 90-second shot clock on the ensuing possession, leaving Sacred Heart with 15 seconds to try and tie it. But the Kellenberg defense forced a stop with five seconds left to secure the victory.
Olivia Manago made seven saves and Flaherty had three goals for Sacred Heart (5-11).
“We’ve had some tough losses this season and they’ve never given up,” Masiulis said. “They’ve been so deserving of this, my heart is just exploding with joy for them.”
There were seven goal-scorers for Kellenberg, proving the depth of talent and their trust in one another to execute.
“We always tell them to believe in themselves, but even more, believe in their team and their teammates,” Masiulis said. “When certain players were being doubled or triple teamed, they weren’t selfish, they found the open player.”
The game was special in more ways than one. It was the annual “Play4Mary” game, which benefits the Mary Ruchalski Foundation, raising money to fight pediatric cancer.
“It’s so beautiful that we’re able to be a part of this game,” Masiulis said. “I told the team, we’re playing for something greater, for the kids that don’t get to play.”
After securing the third seed for the playoffs, Kellenberg (7-8) hopes to bring this momentum into its postseason run.
“We just beat one of our toughest competitors,” Clark said. “We’re definitely feeling confident and hope to get past that semifinal round.”
