Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 6/4/17
Staff Report
Springfield-Delco outscored Allentown Central Catholic, 9-2, over the final two and a half periods and claimed a 12-9 victory over the Vikings Saturday in a PIAA Class AA quarterfinal at Gov. Mifflin High School.
The District 1 champion Cougars (20-3), who won the last year’s PIAA crown when it was for one classification, advance to the semifinals Tuesday against District 12 champion Lansdale Catholic. The Crusaders also won by a 12-9 score, over District 2 champion Crestwood.
Conestoga’s Tommy Sopko unloads one of his four goals in the Pioneers’ 12-6 PIAA Class AAA quarterfinal win over Manheim Township. Caton Johnson is the goaltender. (Photo by Tim Flatley)
The Vikings (22-2) closed a standout year; they claimed Eastern Pennsylvania Conference and District 11 titles and set a school record for wins in a season.
“I was really impressed with their offense,” said Springfield-Delco coach Tom Lemieux. “I made sure our kids understand there are four quarters and instead of panicking they showed a lot of poise.”
Led by EPC MVP Joe Wolf (three goals, two assists), ACC bolted to a quick 4-0 lead and later led, 7-3, with 6:25 left in the first half on a tally by Wolf.
But Springfield scored three times to close the half and tied it, 7-7, midway through the third period. Allentown CC went ahead on a Wolf-to-Tom Murphy goal, but Mike Vent (two goals) tied it with 2:28 left in the third period and Joe DeBernardi (four goals) put the Cougars ahead off a feed from Kyle Long (one goal, six assists).
Jack Spence (two goals) made it 10-8 and after Wolf drew the Vikes within 10-9, DeBernardi’s fourth made it 11-9 with 5:38 to play.
James Spence had 12 saves for the Cougars and Mike Tulski added two goals.
Matthew Marker had two goals and an assist and Zack Nelson scored twice for Allentown Central Catholic.
Lansdale Catholic 12, Crestwood 9
The Crusaders (18-4) scored the game’s final four goals and advanced to meet Springfield-Delco in Tuesday’s semifinals at Methacton High (6 p.m.).
Mike Basilii (two goals, one assist) scored the tying goal from Joe Walsh (three goals, one assist) with 1:49 to play in the third and Ryan Flanegan (four goals) put LC ahead for good with 8:39 to play. Grady Kelly and Basilii added clinching goals.
Nick Heiler won 16 of 22 face offs for LC and had two goals.
Anthony Caporuscio had five goals and an assist for Crestwood (15-8)
Class AAA
Conestoga 12, Manheim Township 6
The Pioneers (21-3) raced to a 4-0 first-period lead and advanced to the semifinals Tuesday vs. Mt. Lebanon (District 7 runner-up) at Cumberland Valley (noon). Mt. Lebanon, which has won five of its last six games after starting out 8-8, toppled State College, 11-4.
Tommy Sopko (79 goals overall this year) had four goals and one assist and Nick Braendel scored twice while James Reilly won 12 of 19 face-offs for the Pioneers.
Bryce Hutchinson and Grayson Sallade each had two goals for Manheim and Caton Johnson posted eight saves.