Bishops roll into VIC title match

By Ted Allen

Published: May 6, 2008

Virginia Episcopal School’s boys lacrosse team won its school record 15th consecutive game, eclipsing last season’s mark by one, with Tuesday 18-2 home triumph over Miller School in the Virginia Independent Conference tournament semifinals.

The Bishops (15-1), who will make their eighth consecutive appearance in the Virginia Independent Schools Division II state tournament next week, are ranked No. 2 in the VIS Division poll. They will host third-ranked Covenant, a 12-2 winner over Roanoke Catholic in Tuesday’s other semifinal, in Saturday’s VIC championship game.

“We played a good offensive game,” said VES coach Stephen Alexander, who played on the Bishops’ first state qualifier since the 1980s in 2001. “We wanted to come out with the intensity level of a postseason game. We passed the ball really well all game.”

Joe Strope, who distributed a game-high seven assists, set up Matt Devoy, the Bishops’ leading scorer on the season and in the game with six goals, with a quick pass to the left crease where he finished for an early 7-0 lead.

Bennett King (three goals, one assist) started the second-quarter scoring by whipping a shot past Miller School goalkeeper Crawford Simpkins (16 saves).

Wil Roe (three goals) extended the lead to 12-0 in the final minute of the first half by taking an entry pass from Daniel Alexander deep in the crease and sticking it in while being checked to the ground by Simpkins.

“Roe is our offensive general,” Stephen Alexander said. “He controls the game.”

Midfielder Abbott McClintic won the game’s first 10 faceoffs and 17 out of 22 for the contest, igniting the Bishops’ attack.

Senior goalie Morrow Boggs, who will play at Hampden-Sydney, made eight stops and started a few of VES’ fast breaks with long, accurate outlet passes.

“Morrow’s the best (and) our defense played great,” Devoy said. “Everybody helped out.”

In the Bishops’ 12-8 regular season win over Covenant, Boggs made a season-high 18 saves.

“That’s why we won,” Alexander said.

He will face off against Covenant’s goalie, who will play at Old Dominion Athletic Conference rival Virginia Wesleyan next year.

Highland School, the only team to beat the Bishops this year — 12-5 in the season-opener — is ranked No. 1 going into next week’s VIS tournament. VES would love a rematch in the final.

“This is a very driven group of guys,” Alexander said. “They’re beyond just wanting to play in the state tournament. This team wants to get there and win it.”