Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 6/5/12
Staff Report
The dream matchup between two perennial boys’ lacrosse state heavyweights is set in Pennsylvania.
Matt Rambo tallied six goals – including three in an amazing 28-second spurt of the second period – and added an assist as La Salle dominated Mt. Lebanon, 12-3, today in the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association semifinals at State College.
The Explorers (20-4) advance to the state finals Saturday to meet a familiar foe – Conestoga – in a 3 p.m. grudge match at HersheyPark Stadium.
La Salle and Conestoga have met in the PIAA finals twice in the past three years. La Salle won the 2009 state final and Conestoga took the rematch in 2010. last year Conestoga toppled St. Joseph’s Prep in the finals.
“They are the ones who took it (the championship) from us and we want the chance to take it back,” said La Salle coach Bill Leahy.
La Salle got off a slow start today against the Blue Devils, the District 7 third-place finishers. La Salle did not score until 3:59 was left in the opening period as Jeff Cimbalista made it 1-0. Rambo followed with his first goal with 1:10 to play in the period and then La Salle – led by Rambo – really went to work in the second period.
The junior attackman scored 1:41 into the period and then again 21 seconds later before scoring yet again just seven seconds after that. Adam Stefanowicz (two goals) soon scored to make it 6-0 and Adam Schaal (two goals, one assist) added a tally before Stefanowicz scored again to make it 8-0.
Mt. Lebanon (16-8) finally scored with 1:32 remaining in the half on a goal by Doran Graham (two goals).
La Salle 12, Mt. Lebanon 3
La Salle 2-6-3-1- 12
Mt. Lebanon 0-1-1-1 – 3
La Salle
Matt Rambo 6g, 1a
Adam Schaal 2g, 1a
Adam Stefanowicz 2g
Jeff Cimbalista 1g
Mitch Soufleris 1g
Dillon Pierce 2a
Casey Eidenshink 1a, 5 GBs
Brett Supinski 1a
Nick Hreshko 3 saves
Colin McDougall 1 save
Mt. Lebanon
Doran Graham 2g
Louis Lucerne 1g
(1) Will Nabors 10 saves
Groundballs
La Salle 26
Mt. Lebanon 19
Shots
La Salle 30
Mt. Lebanon 15
