Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 4/16/13
Staff Report
Peter Donato had three goals and an assist and Mike Cherry scored three goals while Jake Shapiro won 14 of 16 face-offs as host Radnor defeated Conestoga, 10-3, today in a Central League boys’ lacrosse game that snapped several longstanding streaks.
The Red Raiders, ranked No. 5 by Phillylacrosse.com, improved to 7-2 overall and 4-1 in the league in dealing the Pioneers (4-5, 4-1) their first league loss after 32 wins and nearly 3 full years.
Conestoga last lost in the Central League on April 20, 2010, when it fell to Springfield-Delco, 4-3. Since then the Pioneers have won two league crowns and three state titles.
What’s more, Radnor had not beaten Conestoga in 10 years.
“I think it started from the defensive end,” said Cherry. “They were really strong.
“(Conestoga) got a quick goal in the beginning. From there on, we shut the door. I think we were a little slow on offense to start, but we were managing the ball and they weren’t getting many possessions.”
Cherry said Radnor has bounced back nicely since losing an early league game to Garnet Valley and bowing to powerful Haverford School.
“We have some lost a few, to Garnet Valley and Haverford,” he said. “But beating Ridley and ‘Stoga feels so good, especially after 10 years of losing to ‘Stoga.
“It’s a huge boost. But we need to build on this. Coach B (John Begier) said ‘Don’t let this game define your season. Make it a part of the season and keep building off it and take one game at a time.”
Alex Manderack added two goals and an assist for the Raiders.
Jake Scott had two goals and Pierre Atkinson added a goal and an assist while Robbie Zonino made 18 saves for Conestoga.
Radnor 10, Conestoga 3
Radnor 1-1-4-4 – 10
Conestoga 1-0-1-1 – 3
Radnor
Peter Donato 3g 1a
Mike Cherry 3g
Alex Manderack 2g 1a
Mike Farnish 1g
Jack Norton 1g
Sam Camp 1a
Shane Shapiro 1a
Tom Hemcher 1a
Ben Savitch 1a
Connor Burns 1a
Jake Shapiro FO 14-16
Brendan Manderack 6 saves
Conestoga
Jake Scott 2g
Pierre Atkinson 1g 1a
Zach Schleicher 2a
Rob Zonino 18 saves
