O’Dea Runs past SAAS to Claim the #1 Spot in Metro Private; By Zane Hitch

SEATTLE – O’Dea Fighting Irish lacrosse take down the Seattle Academy Cardinals 10-6, snapping the cardinals undefeated start.

The win pushes the Irish to 4-0 and they jump to the number one spot in the metro league private division and the number one team in the Washington Private school division.

"The top performers were Cole Rodgers, Ethan Linsay, Zane Hitch, Finn Evans," Senior Oliver Braitsch said.

The Irish were lead on offence by Skidmore commit Cole Rodgers and Army commit Ethan Linsay who each had 3 goals and an assist. Hitch and Evans lead the defense, along with Eli Hinson in goal, Hinson made 9 saves on 14 shots. In addition, Hitch and Evans each picked up a pair of groundballs while holding SAAS to 6 points. The Irish were also assisted in their win with clean playing and a lack of penalties.

"The keys for success were minimal team penalties, communication," Braitsch added.

The Irish had season low penalty minutes and for the first time in the season had no first half penalties. The first penalty that they gave up was an unsportsmanlike conduct from a fan in the stands. They continued to have great communication on defense and a high man down percentage, not giving up a man down goal until the 4th quarter.

The Cardinals were lead by Aiden Carrol who had 4 goals and an assist, and Cooper Kletzly who had a goal and an assist. In net for the Cardinals, Beck Langstraat had 8 saves on 18 shots.

With 4 wins, an undefeated start, the number one place in the private school division, and the first win against Eastlake in program history, the Irish are rolling and looking to make history with their first undefeated season and third (official) state championship.