By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 5/30/09
The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) playoffs move into the second round today with quartrerfinal matchups – including two doubleheaders in the Philadelphia Region.
Here is a look at the matchups.
Boys
Emmaus (District 11, No. 1 seed, 19-4 record) vs. Conestoga (1-1, 22-1 record) at Harriton, 1 p.m. – The Pioneers defeated the Green Hornets, 8-6, back on March 24. Conestoga has been starting strong all year, especially in the playoffs and the Hornets will need to limit the Pioneers’ attack early in the game.
La Salle (12-1, 18-4 record) vs. Downingtown East (1-2, 20-3 record) at Harriton, 3 p.m. – The defending state champion Explorers will probably again be without face-off standout and All-American Tyler Knarr (knee). La Salle is still loaded with potent scorers and the Cougars will need to limit their possessions.
Carlisle (3-3, 18-7 record) vs. Springfield-Delco (1-3, 18-5 record) at Penn Manor High, Millersville, 2 p.m. – The Thundering Herd advanced with a tight 6-5 triumph over Shady Side Academy. Carlisle’s lone game against a District 1 team this year was a 9-4 loss to playoff team Holy Ghost Prep. The Cougars enter play as a clear favorite.
Mt. Lebanon (7-1, 14-7 record) vs. Manheim Township (3-1, 19-5 record) at State College, Memorial Stadium, 4 p.m. – This game pits two district champions and perennial powers in their respective regions. Manheim Township edged North Allegheny, 9-8, and Mt. Lebanon nipped Hershey by the same score, so this should be a close game.
Girls
Radnor (1-2, 22-1 record) vs. Archbishop Carroll (12-1, 15-5 record) at W.C. East, 6 p.m. – The Red Raiders defeated the Patriots, 15-13, on May 1, so the teams know each other well. Several of the players just played together last weekend on the championship Philly 1 team at the US Lacrosse National Tourney.
Springfield-Delco (1-1, 22-2 record) vs. Unionville (1-5, 20-3 record) at W.C. East, 8 p.m. – The Cougars toppled the Indians, 17-13, in the teams’ first meeting on May 1. This one figures to be another excellent matchup.
Strath Haven (1-3, 19-4 record) vs. Hempfield (3-3, 18-6 record) at Exeter High, 1 p.m. – The Panthers routed District 3 runner-up Penn Manor, 19-4, in the first round; this appears to be a mismatch on paper.
Manheim Township (3-1, 19-4 record) vs. Peters Township (7-1, 15-6 record) at State College Memorial Stadium, 2 p.m. – The District 7 champion Indians routed Kennard-Dale, 19-7, in the first round while Township thumped Mt. Lebanon, 14-3.
