Recap: Taylor collects 186 points, leads Team Johansen's defense in 9-8 victory

Eric Rhew

Aug 06, 2022

SPARKS, Md. — Team Apuzzo’s late game magic finally ran out.

After coming from behind to emerge victorious in its last three games, Team Apuzzo’s latest comeback bid against Team Johansen fell just short in a 9-8 verdict to open Saturday’s Athletes Unlimited Lacrosse doubleheader at USA Lacrosse Headquarters.

The loss evened Team Apuzzo’s record to 1-1 in Week Three, while Team Johansen also saw its record move to 2-0. In addition, it was the first setback of the season for attacker Sam Apuzzo, who became the last player to suffer a loss this season.

Goalkeeper Caylee Waters put together another solid outing to aid Team Johansen’s victory. The former University of North Carolina standout made 11 saves, including six in the second half, and posted 189 leaderboard points.

Rookie defender Courtney Taylor anchored the defensive effort for Team Johansen, collecting 186 points on the strength of four caused turnovers and two ground balls in addition to earning MVP 1 distinction.

Attacker Halle Majorana fashioned her third hat trick of the season with three goals, while attacker Cortney Fortunato chipped in a pair of markers, including a two-point tally.

Rookie attacker Lauren Gilbert, the league’s goals leader, led Team Apuzzo in the loss with three goals and MVP 3 honors. Apuzzo also registered a hat trick with three goals and an assist.

KEY MOMENT

Team Johansen used a 6-1 run over the first 6:33 of the second quarter to turn a 2-1 deficit into a 7-3 lead on a goal by rookie midfielder Ally Mastroianni. Team Apuzzo trimmed the margin to 8-7 on a Gilbert goal with 4:57 remaining in the third quarter, but Majorana’s goal early in the fourth quarter sealed the victory.

LEADERBOARD IMPACT

With her 189 points on Saturday morning, Waters continued to climb up the leaderboard and stands fifth in the league standings with 909 points. Mastroianni also moved into the top four of the standings with 943 points, an improvement of six spots.

GAME NOTES

Apuzzo extended her point-scoring streak to 23 consecutive games with her four-point performance … She also became the first player in league history to hit 70 career points.
Gilbert and Majorana scored for the eighth consecutive game … They join rookie attacker Charlotte North as the only players to notch at least one goal in every game this season.
Waters recorded 10 or more saves for the second straight game after recording her season-high 11 stops in the win on Saturday.
Taylor fashioned 100 or more leaderboard points for the fifth time in eight games this season after her season-high 186 points … She also tallied a season-high four caused turnovers in the win.
Team Apuzzo outshot Team Johansen by a 28-22 count, including a 14-8 margin in the second half.
Team Apuzzo also won 11-of-20 draw controls in the contest.