Recap: Waters earns 216 points with 10 saves in 11-8 win

Eric Rhew

Aug 05, 2022

SPARKS, Md. — Team Johansen used a strong effort during the second and third quarters to defeat Team Moreno by an 11-8 margin in Athletes Unlimited Lacrosse action at USA Lacrosse Headquarters on Friday morning.

Team Johansen used a 10-save performance from goalkeeper Caylee Waters and three goals from rookie midfielder Kelsey Huff to secure its first victory of the week. Waters, who earned MVP 2 honors for her efforts, finished the day with 216 leaderboard points while Huff, the game’s MVP 3 selection, followed with 159 points.

The loss spoiled an outstanding performance from rookie midfielder Sydney Watson, who registered four goals in the setback for Team Moreno while earning MVP 1 recognition. The former UConn standout claimed 107 leaderboard points to lead her squad.

KEY MOMENT

After battling to a 3-all tie in the first quarter, Team Johansen limited Team Moreno to just two goals in the next two periods to take a 10-5 lead heading into the fourth quarter. Huff’s final goal to open the fourth quarter upped the margin to six points at 11-5 before Team Moreno attempted a comeback with a two-point goal by attacker Izzy McMahon and a goal by rookie attacker Sam Geiersbach.

LEADERBOARD IMPACT

With her 75 points on Friday, goalkeeper Taylor Moreno reclaimed the top spot on the leaderboard with 1,071 points. Moreno, who notched 12 saves in the loss on Friday, owns a 21-point advantage over attacker Sam Apuzzo heading into Saturday’s contests. Waters, meanwhile, elevated her position by 11 spots after tallying her season-high 216 points.

GAME NOTES

The game was pushed back to Friday morning after weather delays forced the change in Thursday night’s schedule.
Team Moreno outshot Team Johansen by a 32-30 margin and held a 12-10 advantage in draw controls … However, Team Johansen owned a 16-9 edge in ground balls.
Moreno has now posted 10 or more saves in six consecutive games.
Geiersbach suffered her first loss of the season, leaving Apuzzo as the only player in the league to win all of her games this year.