Tartans on Top! Boys Lacrosse Stops Mt. St. Joseph in 12-7 Stunner

St. Margaret's boys lacrosse produced a statement win Saturday, downing visiting Mount St. Joseph 12-7 in a highly anticipated battle.

The Tartans never trailed after Andrew Toubin found the back of the net at 7:49 in the first quarter to set St. Margaret's on the right foot against the Gaels. Toubin would rattle off a game-high 4 goals and 2 assists against the Maryland Interscholastic Athletic Association power. Carson Barber anchored the attack, notching 3 goals and 1 assist, while Ryan Kees added 3 goals for the Tartans. Jack Shea had 2 goals in the win.

Goaltender Jonas Gilden (11 saves) was a difference maker for St. Margaret's as he picked up his first start and win of the year. Gilden made numerous clutch saves to stymie the Gaels' attack and kept the Tartans in control all afternoon.

Defensively, Declan Kelly (1 fto) and Lachland Oxford (1 fto) held down the fort for the Tartans, suffocating a potent Mt. St. Joe offensive unit. 

"This was a major confidence booster for us," said St. Margaret's head coach Brian Kelly. "Our guys believed they could beat a very talented program and went out and got the job done. It was incredibly fun to watch us compete at this level."

The win puts St. Margaret's ahead 5-4 in the lifetime series between the Tartans and Mt. St. Joseph dating back to 2004. St. Margaret's recorded its first win (8-7) against the Maryland powerhouse in 2008 after losing the first two contests in 2004 and 2006. A tradition started by Mount St. Joseph alum and current Tartan assistant coach Mark Warren, St. Margaret's enjoys hosting Mount St. Joseph on its west coast swing every few years, building a unique connection between the programs. That connection continues for many Tartan and Gael players at top college programs as they move beyond high school contests. 

The Gaels, who compete in arguably one of the toughest high school lacrosse conferences in the country, defeated top Orange County programs Mater Dei (16-4) and Foothill (13-5) earlier in the week. 

St. Margaret's has a busy week ahead as they face off against Northwood (3/23), Foothill (3/24) and University (3/25).