It’s not all that often that we get a No. 1 vs. No. 2 game in girls lacrosse. Those two spots are often occupied by teams from different counties who never, ever meet.

This season is a little different and we will be treated to a No. 1 vs. No. 2 contest with a lot on the line. No. 1 McDonogh (11-1) and No. 2 Notre Dame Prep (10-0) are scheduled to meet today at 4 p.m. at McDonogh if the weather will only cooperate.

More important than the No. 1 ranking, first place in the Interscholastic Athletic Association of Maryland A Conference – perhaps the toughest conference in the nation – is on the line.
But this contest offers a good look at two different styles of the game. Both teams are highly skilled, but McDonogh plays the modern style of the game while the Blazers show a more traditional style.

The Eagles rely a lot on speed and set offense. They have great depth and run players in and out to keep fresh legs on the field. The Blazers pass more in transition and look to go to goal more in transition. They don’t sub as much, but can run all day.

The Eagles, -- whose only loss was to Canandaigua, N.Y. -- score by committee, and it’s a big committee. One of many players such as Molly Fernandez, Kitty Cullen, Colby Rhea, Hannah Franklin and Brooks Lawler (and some others) could be the top scorer on any given day. At Notre Dame Prep, Erin Laschinger, Kelsi Bozel and Covie Stanwick get most of the points, but there are quite a few more Blazers who can also score.

McDonogh has the pre-game edge, having just beaten The Washington Post’s No. 1 team St. Stephen’s/St. Agnes, 10-9, Saturday, but the Blazers won’t go quietly if they go at all.