Upper Moreland & Springfield Twp earned wins that not only sent their teams to the District 1 2A semifinals but also ensured both teams a spot in the state tournament. Check out the Black Bear Lacrosse District Wrap. UM/Strath Haven photos provided courtesy of John Gleeson, and Springfield Twp/Mount St. Joseph photos courtesy of Michael Rice. Check back for galleries of both games: https://solsports.zenfolio.com/f683838916
District 1 2A quarterfinals
#1 Upper Moreland 10, #8 Strath Haven 9
Addi Hurley and her Golden Bear teammates weren’t quite sure they could duplicate the success of last year’s team that captured a share of the SOL Freedom Division title and advanced to the state tournament for the first time in program history.
“Going into the season, we were a little unsure how it would be considering we lost so many seniors from last year’s team,” Hurley said. “I think our first goal was to try and win the same league and conference games that we did, but then we realized that our freshmen and everyone else who stepped up were able to hold down our team, and we thought automatically – our next stop is states, we’re doing it again.”
With Tuesday’s thrilling district quarterfinal win, the Golden Bears punched their ticket to the state tournament. They jumped out of the gate to a 5-0 lead after one quarter, led 6-1 at halftime and then withstood a second-half comeback attempt by Panthers to earn the win.
“We came out ready to play from the first minute of the game,” UM coach Kim Frantz said. “We really played hard the whole game, and the first half was one of our best this year.
“I told them at the end of the game – we won this because of that first quarter. They played lights out first quarter. They looked phenomenal. “
Hurley – who was credited with 19 saves in a stellar outing – certainly had a role in UM’s fast start.
“She was huge,” Frantz said. “She had some very, very, very big saves today.
“The 5-0 in the first quarter was not because they didn’t get shots. The first two quarters she was stopping everything.”
Things got interesting in the second half, and it was an 8-4 game heading into the final quarter.
What’s the key for Hurley when things get tense?
“I feel like in a game like this – obviously, keeping my composure, but I think just the atmosphere on our team and the fans,” Hurley said. “We had a lot of people at the game today, and just knowing I have so much support behind me even if the game doesn’t go the way we want – I think that’s personally what makes me play well in these close games.
“I love close games, and I think a lot of people on our team do because we have such a competitive culture on our team, and when we get into games like this, we just want to push, push, and we want to get the win.”
The UM goalie also credited the play of her defense.
“We lost two of our key defenders last year, so we were a little nervous going in, but they stepped it up an insane amount, and we’ve been playing so well together,” Hurley said. “I have all the appreciation in the world
for my defense.”
The Golden Bears still led 10-6 after scoring with 6:44 remaining in regulation. That lead appeared to be secure until the Panthers scored three unanswered goals in a one-minute span that culminated with a goal that trimmed UM’s lead to 10-9 with 1:16 remaining.
“We were getting a little tired,” Hurley said. “We lost the draw a couple of times, so I think they got the energy in them because obviously they were the underdog wanting to come back, but we were able to stop it at the end.
“Our draw team did amazing with the last draw and the last minute of the game.”
Frantz added, “We played at four o’clock, and it was 85 degrees, and by the third and fourth quarter, we were making some mistakes just because of the heat. We weren’t winning draws. Annalise (Messina) got a really bad cramp and had to go off the field, so we were missing a player.
“We won the last draw, which was key. We had a turnover, but we were able to hold them. We fought really hard to the end. Overall, we are very excited for another trip to states, but first we look forward to Thursday’s semifinal game.”
Messina’s four-goal, two-assist effort led the Bears. She also had three caused turnovers and five draw controls. Olivia Meakim had three goals, three assists and one draw control, and Willow Taylor added two goals, two caused turnovers and four draw controls. Moly Meakim had two assists, and Cambrie Richmond had one goal. Keiley Hawk had one draw control.
Frantz lauded the play of her team up and down the field.
“Our defense had another strong showing, including Cambrie Richmond, Avery Adamski, Leah King, and Madeline Cox,” the UM coach said. “They continue to work well as a unit. Our midfielders, including Willow Taylor, Annalise Messina, and Keira Hess, were all over the field helping to control the tempo of the game. Attack worked together so well today including Olivia Meakim, Molly Meakim, Maggie Morrow, and Keiley Hawk. Maggie Brophy and Ella Gould were key substitutes that helped out the team to this win.
“It’s amazing to look back on the season. Last year we graduated 8 seniors and weren’t sure where we would go this year. This team has worked hard for everything they earned this year. I am just so proud of them and the growth they have made this year.”
Upper Moreland (17-3, 9-2 SOL) will host #4 Bishop Shanahan in Thursday’s District 1 2A semifinal round.
Strath Haven 0-1-3-5 9
Upper Moreland 5-1-2-2 10
#2 Springfield Twp 14, #7 Mount Saint Joseph 8
Tess Talbot is always making saves, even when the ball is at the other end of the field.
The Spartans’ senior goalie, a St. Joe’s recruit, has developed a habit of replaying previous saves and movements in her head while her teammates have the ball on offense. It keeps her engaged and locked in so that when the ball does come back her way, she’s already prepared for the next save.
While the Spartans’ offense was clicking, Talbot had just as pivotal a role as Springfield knocked off last year’s District 1 champs to earn a spot in the state playoffs.
“I walk through some saves in my head, I’ll practice going around the arc and stepping out to the ball,” Talbot said. “It’s helpful being able to watch down on the attack because it gives me that second to reset, breathe and relax.”
After a fiery pregame talk by senior Maddie McDevitt, the Spartans came out on fire. Frankie Rizzo was the catalyst early, the sophomore coming off the back side to score three times in the first quarter as the Spartans jumped out to a 5-0 lead.
“The plays starting low were really strong today,” Maddie McDevitt said. “Frankie Rizzo had three goals all in the first quarter from the exact same things. We found the openings and were able to capitalize.”
While Springfield Twp was converting its early chances, the Magic was not. The difference was Talbot, the senior making five first quarter saves even with the Mount having some early success on the draw control.
Talbot also credited the play of her defenders – Natalie Rittler, Adrianna DeMeers, Jess Shipley and Julia Guicheleau – in the start.
“Everybody came out with a good mindset of ‘we’re here to work hard and we’re going to start out strong,’” Talbot said. “The defense did an amazing job. Every single one of our defenders has stepped up this year, they helped to force some tough shots from their shooters, got on their hands, that was all the defense.”
Mount Saint Joseph settled in some during the second quarter, but Springfield’s 5-1 lead after the first and a 4-3 advantage in the second gave the host team a 9-4 halftime edge. Senior Sam McDevitt, who racked up a goal and three assists in the first half, highlighted her team’s passing and finding open players as main factors in the strong start.
“Usually, we’re a second half team and that’s when we’re on fire,” Sam McDevitt said. “This game, we knew we needed to go out strong and not leave it to the second half, just bring it from the start.”
The Spartans controlled the third quarter, winning the frame 5-0 and spending most of the 12 minutes on the offensive end. It gave Talbot plenty of time to go over scenarios in her head while the attack maintained its success despite the Magic making adjustments that included a change in their defense.
“We knew they were going to come out and pressure us in the second half,” Sam McDevitt said. “We tried our best to keep running with the ball and moving it, just maintaining each possession as long as possible so they couldn’t score.”
Frankie Rizzo tallied her fourth goal, giving her the game high, in the third while Emma Yoder scored two of her three goals in the frame and Maddie McDevitt added both of her scores. Maddie McDevitt also added two assists, with classmate Amelia Price also racking up two goals and two assists while senior Fiona Rizzo rounded out the Spartans scoring with two goals.
“We’re so lucky that every person on attack is so comfortable and confident with the ball, it doesn’t matter who they leave open because that person is going to be able to score,” Maddie McDevitt said. “I think that’s so important, we all know we believe in each other and it really helps us.”
The Mount made a charge in the fourth quarter, the defending District 1 2A champions were able to stop the running clock after Springfield Twp had gone ahead 14-4 and getting within 14-8 with 4:04 left in the game. Talbot wasn’t rattled, the senior continuing to prop up her defenders after each goal then having their backs with a couple more important saves in the game’s final minutes to quell any comeback attempt.
“Everybody on defense has a great attitude, we focus on being able to pick each other up, especially if we let a few shots in,” Talbot said. “For me, I try to have
them focused on ‘you had the right step, you had the right slide, just commit sooner,’ but always uplifting.”
Coach Marissa Conover had high praise for her team’s performance.
“I was really proud of our attack today,” the Spartans’ coach said. “Amelia, Fiona, Frankie and Sam had great connections with each other in front of the goal, in addition with the middies.
“The Mount was strong on winning draws, but as soon as we began to capitalize on that, we saw a difference. I’m proud of the girls’ composure today. They played an awesome game. Tess had a great game, and the defense looked solid as well. Adrianna Demers had some pivotal ground balls and turnovers coming out of the back.”
With a state bid in hand, the Spartans (15-5, 10-1 SOL) will now look to continue their chase for a district title when they host No. 3 seed Villa Maria Academy on Thursday at 7 pm.
“We’re just really excited, we’ve never made it this far in the playoffs with this group,” Maddie McDevitt said. “It’s really exciting to make it to states and I think it’s going to be a lot of fun.”
Mount St. Joseph Academy 1-3-0-4 8
Springfield Twp 5-4-5-0 14
District 1 6A second round
#6 Penncrest 14, #3 Upper Dublin 8
Penncrest’s mascot is the Roaring Lions, and the Lions certainly roared in the opening half of Tuesday’s second round game, opening up a 4-1 lead after one quarter and extending that to 9-1 by halftime.
The Cardinals outscored their visitors 7-5 in the second half but never could make up the ground they lost in the first half.
“We scored the first goal of the game and then Penncrest took off,” UD coach Dee Cross aid. “Penncrest was fast and aggressive, and we knew we were going to have to move the ball quickly and work hard to get good shots.
“We were able to chip away at the lead in the second half. The girls never gave up and played hard until the end. We will learn from this game for sure. We are lucky to have another chance to play on Thursday against Garnet Valley in a playback game.”
Paige Dinkel’s two-goal, one-assist effort led the Cards. She also had two draw controls. Bridget DiMartile had two goals, five draw controls and three caused turnovers, and Anna DiMartile had one goal and three draw controls. Adding one goal each were Lily Buckius, Abby O’Meara and Ella Lyon. O’Meara also had four caused turnovers. Shannon Connaughton and Ava Shohen each contributed one assist. Erin Darcy was credited with six saves in goal for UD.
Upper Dublin (17-3, 10-1 SOL) will host #10 Garnet Valley in a playback game for a state tournament berth on Thursday at 3 p.m.
Penncrest 4-5-3-2 14
Upper Dublin 1-0-3-4 8
#1 Downingtown West 19, #8 Pennridge 7
The Rams knew they would have their hands full with the top-seeded Whippets, who opened up a 6-2 lead after one quarter and never looked back.
For the Rams, Kate Unzicker scored two goals and had a team-high three caused turnovers. Leah Veresy added two goals and also contributed two draw controls and one ground ball. Madigan Posey led the Rams with four draw controls and also had a hand in four goals, scoring once and assisting on three others. Jordan Feder and Cayla Wurz each had one goal, and Kendall Posey had one assist.
Contributing one caused turnover each were Ava Fantaskey, Delaney Dodge, and Makena Charles. Aubrey Bailey and Taylor Burkett both had one draw control.
Pennridge (14-6, 9-1 SOL) will travel to #5 Downingtown East for a playback game Thursday at 3:45 p.m.
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