Devinney, Sides, Giunta, Kuhn, Barber, Kroeger, Donoghue, Spotts among final CAL lacrosse leaders

By TOM WILLIAMS

Another successful lacrosse season in the Cape-Atlantic League is over and it’s a good time to check the final numbers.

Mainland was the undefeated CAL boys champion and Ocean City won all its league games in girls lacrosse. It was the second straight league title for the OCHS girls and Mainland’s win in boys lacrosse ended the Raiders’ three-year streak of championships.

Brian Devinney of Cedar Creek was the boys scoring champion with 61 goals. Vince Giunta of Mainland, who was second in goals scored, tied Christian Kuhn of Ocean City for the CAL lead in assists.

Bill Kroeger of Ocean City was the league’s possession king. He had the most groundballs, almost 20 percent more than Egg Harbor Township’s Bill Germana. And Kroeger’s winning faceoff percentage was considerably higher than Cedar Creek’s Rob Nawrocki, the runner-up.

In goal, Luke Gifford of Absegami made the most saves and Luke Spotts of Holy Spirit had the highest save percentage.

Middle Township dominated the offensive stats among girls. Kira Sides led the league with 129 goals, far ahead of teammate Aubrey Hunter, who was second. Maddie Barber of Middle led in assists with almost double the total of Sides, who was second. Sides, Barber and Hunter were one-two-three in offensive points – and all three are sophomores.

Barber and Sides were the top two in groundballs. Danielle Donoghue of Ocean City led in draw controls (the female equivalent of face-offs won) by almost 40 percent over second place Mya Critchfield of Lower Cape May.

Mel Amador of Lower Cape May led the goalies in saves by a wide margin. Lauren Mevoli of Holy Spirit had the highest save percentage.

When you look at the girls stats leaders, the thing that jumps out at you is their youth. Six of the top seven scorers were underclassmen including four sophomores. There were no seniors among the top four in assists or offensive points. The top six in groundballs will not graduate, including five sophomores. The top seven in draw controls are underclassmen, including four sophomores and a freshman. And all of the top five in save percentage will be back next year.

Check out all the lacrosse leaders in every category at http://www.primeevents.net/calspring.html.