Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 6/7/16
Staff Report
Springfield-Delco scored the game’s final five goals and goalie James Spence made 14 saves to spark an 8-5 win tonight over Strath Haven in the PIAA boys’ lacrosse semifinals at Penncrest.
The Cougars (19-7, ranked No. 4 by Phillylacrosse.com) advance to their first PIAA title game Saturday against District 12 champion La Salle at West Chester East (2:30 p.m.). Strath Haven (No. 5) closes at 19-7.
James Spence jumps into the arms of Matt Ries to celebrate the victory (Photo by Rene Schleicher)
The Panthers led, 5-3, after scoring four unanswered goals late in the first half and early in the third period. But Nick Martin tipped in a pass from Kyle Long with under 2 minutes to play in the third period and Jack Spence tied it early in the fourth quarter.
Springfield took the lead, 6-5, just 63 seconds later when Matin scored from Mike Vent. Spence made several key saves during the run and then made a brilliant clear to set up the next goal by Vent with just under five minutes to play. Mike Gerzabek then made it 8-5 about 15 seconds later.
Gerzabek had given the Cougars a 1-0 lead off a Kyle Long (one goal, three assists) feed, but Jack Borbee fed Sam Mutz for the tying goal. Long gave the Cougars a 2-1 lead in the second period and then fed Joe DiBernardi for a 3-1 edge. But the Panthers tied it in the final 27 seconds of the half when Jake Ross made it 3-2 and Jeff Conner earned his 100th assist on a goal by long pole Noah Frantz.
Strath Haven went up, 4-3, immediately after the second-half faceoff when Hunter Mazur got one past Spence just 12 seconds in – giving the Panthers three goals in 39 seconds. Will Huestis then bounced on past Spence for the 5-3 lead with 5:47 left in the period – Strath Haven’s last goal of the game.
This article will be updated
Springfield-Delco 8, Strath Haven 5
Springfield-Delco 1-2-1-4- 8
Strath Haven 1-2-2-0- 5
Springfield-Delco
Mike Gerzabek 2g
Mike Vent 1g, 1a
Kyle Long 1g, 3a
Nick Martin 2g
Joe DeBernardi 1g
Jack Spence 1g
James Spence 14 saves
Strath Haven
Jake Ross 1g
Noah Frantz 1g
Hunter Mazur 1g
Jeff Conner 1a
Jack Borbee 1a
Sam Mutz 1g
Will Huestis 1g
Will Brake 5 saves