Archbishop Spalding Girls Lacrosse Battles Through Brutal IAAM Schedule in 2026 Season

The 2026 season tested the Archbishop Spalding Cavaliers girls lacrosse team every week. The Cavaliers faced one of the toughest schedules in Maryland, battled through the elite IAAM A Conference, developed young talent and still finished with a winning record against nationally respected competition.

Archbishop Spalding closed the season with an 8-6 overall record and a 7-4 mark in IAAM conference play. The Cavaliers finished fifth in the IAAM A Conference standings behind powerhouse programs Maryvale, McDonogh, St. Mary’s and Notre Dame Prep.

That record only told part of the story.

The IAAM A Conference remains one of the toughest girls lacrosse leagues in the country. Several programs consistently rank in national top-25 polls, and every week forces teams into playoff-level intensity. Spalding answered that challenge with physical defense, balanced scoring and veteran leadership under head coach Tara Shea.

Fast Start Built Confidence

Spalding opened the spring on fire.

The Cavaliers rolled past St. Mary’s Ryken 15-6, then followed with a statement 8-3 win over rival St. Mary’s early in the season. A 14-11 road win at John Carroll and a 14-7 victory against Mercy pushed momentum even higher.

Confidence spread through the roster during March.

Senior captains Ella Jane Ostrowski, Ellie Roberts and Hadley Zurvalec helped establish the identity of the team while junior captain Samantha Collins emerged as one of the emotional leaders of the program. Collins earned MIAA Athlete of the Week honors during Spalding’s undefeated start after several strong performances on both ends of the field.

The chemistry inside the locker room showed up quickly on the field.

Spalding moved the ball well offensively, pushed tempo in transition and trusted its depth. The Cavaliers consistently forced turnovers and attacked opponents before defenses could settle.

A dramatic 9-8 win over Severn School highlighted the toughness of the group. Close games became a theme all season, especially once the conference schedule intensified.

Battling the Nation’s Best

The middle portion of the season forced Spalding into a gauntlet.

The Cavaliers faced nationally respected programs nearly every week. Games against McDonogh, Notre Dame Prep, St. Paul’s and Maryvale demanded precision and depth from every position group.

Spalding dropped a hard-fought 10-7 decision at St. Paul’s before losing a one-goal thriller, 7-6, against McDonogh. Another close battle came against St. John’s College High School in a 9-7 loss.

Several losses came by only one or two possessions.

That mattered.

The Cavaliers never folded during adversity. Instead, the team continued to compete against programs loaded with Division I talent and national recruits. Spalding responded with physical play, disciplined defense and consistent effort.

The Cavaliers also showed resilience after back-to-back losses against Notre Dame Prep and Maryvale Prep late in the regular season. Rather than letting the season spiral, Spalding regrouped and closed conference play with another gritty performance against Roland Park Country School in a 12-11 victory.

Leadership Defined the Season

Leadership carried the Cavaliers through the difficult stretches of the spring.

Veteran players handled the emotional swings of the IAAM schedule while younger contributors gained valuable experience against elite competition. That combination should help the program moving forward.

Ostrowski, Roberts and Zurvalec anchored the culture of the team. Collins provided energy and production throughout the season. Multiple underclassmen also stepped into larger roles as the year progressed.

Spalding’s roster featured contributors from across Anne Arundel County and surrounding Maryland communities, showing the continued growth of girls lacrosse in the region.

The Cavaliers consistently displayed strong team chemistry throughout the year. That bond helped the team survive difficult stretches against top-tier opponents.

IAAM Playoff Push

The Cavaliers qualified for the IAAM A Conference playoffs and earned the No. 5 seed after conference play.

That accomplishment carried weight inside the nation’s toughest conference.

Every IAAM playoff game feels like a state championship matchup because of the concentration of elite talent. Maryvale eventually repeated as conference champion and finished among the top-ranked teams nationally.

Spalding may not have captured the conference title, but the Cavaliers remained competitive against nearly every opponent on the schedule. Several losses came in one-goal or two-goal games, proving the team belonged among Maryland’s best programs.

Defense and Toughness Became Identity

Spalding built much of its success around defensive toughness.

The Cavaliers consistently battled in draw controls, pressured ball carriers and forced opponents into uncomfortable possessions. Even during losses, the defensive effort kept games within reach.

That grit defined the personality of the roster.

The offense also showed balance throughout the spring. Multiple players contributed scoring production rather than relying on one dominant star. That style helped Spalding remain dangerous in transition and difficult to scout.

The Cavaliers finished the season with 146 goals scored while allowing 122 goals against strong competition.

Foundation for the Future

The 2026 season may ultimately become a stepping stone for larger goals ahead.

Several underclassmen gained major varsity experience against national-caliber competition. Younger players learned how to handle pressure games, playoff intensity and the physical style required inside the IAAM.

That experience matters in Maryland girls lacrosse.

Programs improve quickly when younger athletes receive meaningful varsity minutes against elite opponents. Spalding’s future looks promising because of the growth shown throughout the season.

The Cavaliers also continued to strengthen the reputation of the program statewide. Archbishop Spalding remains one of the premier athletic schools in Maryland, and the girls lacrosse program continues to compete against the best teams in the country every season.

Final Thoughts

Archbishop Spalding’s girls lacrosse team did not finish the season with a championship trophy, but the Cavaliers earned respect across Maryland with toughness, resilience and consistency.

An 8-6 record inside the IAAM A Conference carries real value. The Cavaliers faced elite competition almost every week and still remained competitive throughout the spring.

Spalding showed strong leadership, developed younger talent and battled until the final whistle of the season.

That combination gives the Cavaliers plenty of momentum heading into next year.