Playoff lacrosse: American Heritage-Delray goalie stays locked in as Stallions advance
DELRAY BEACH – In a battle of Heritage against Heritage, the Stallions came out on top in Tuesday's regional semifinal, 11-5.
Ashley Egbert was brilliant once again for Heritage-Delray (19-1), limiting a Heritage-Plantation squad that was averaging 16 goals per game to just five scores.
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The sophomore did not allow a goal until the 3:28 mark of the second quarter, and only two of the goals were scored against her in net before the Stallions’ starting defense was rotated out.
“I give my total performance to my defense,’” Egbert said. “I think I have the best defense in the whole country. They back me up with everything, especially Harper Throop, Olivia Scroggie, and Gabby Windesheim. They're the best defenders I could ever have.”
The stat sheet is certainly in agreement with Egbert's claim.
The sophomore is currently posting a 57 percent save mark, but even then, opponents – and Heritage-Delray has faced quite a few good ones – simply aren't getting off shots on goal.
When they do, it isn't about anticipation for Egbert; it's all reaction, and head coach John McClain says that's part of the reason she's so special in net.
“The great ones will get the ball coming out of the stick and save it,” McClain said. “They do not guess. They don't say, ‘oh, the stick's pointing here, I'm gonna to go this way.’” No, she sees it release and she goes, and that's how quick she is. It's insane.”
The season has always had championship aspirations but it's also been about learning according to Egbert.
“I think the goal at the beginning of the season was just to improve every single day,” she said. “Obviously, everyone wants to win states, but our goal is just to improve as a team every single day. Get better every practice.”
For Egbert, that developing skill has been communication as she has stepped into the starting role.
The skill level is there, but so, too, is a level of humility that belies the championship pedigree of this program.
After all, they're lauded as the nation's top team on MaxPreps for a reason.
Six starters on the roster means six players with one last shot at adding a state title to their legacies.
That chance begins Friday, where top-seeded Heritage-Delray will face the winner of No. 2 seed St. Andrew’s and No. 3 seed Benjamin in the regional finals.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: American Heritage-Delray girls lacrosse wins with defense, Ashley Egbert
