Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 5/29/09
A number of Philly suburban players helped Salesianum claim the Delaware high school boys’ state lacrosse championship and finish with a perfect 17-0 season.
Salesianum routed Tower Hill, 13-4, on May 23 for the crown, their second in three years. Last year the Sals were favored to take the crown, but were upset by Cape Henlopen in the finals.
Senior Brandon Groux (Newark) led the Sallies with four goals while freshman Dillon Walker (Garnet Valley school district), sophomore Andrew Blundin (Chadds Ford) and junior Andrew Salvitti (West Chester) each scored two goals.
The Sals’ defense was led by sophomore Ryan Kilpatrick (West Chester), junior Mark Cryon (Lincoln University) while junior Dan Rodgers (West Chester) made six saves. Seniors Dan Tryon (Wilmington) and Dan Caton (Wilmington) paced the midfield. Freshman goalie Matt Barrone (Garnet Valley) also was a contributor during the season.
“I just think after last year’s tough loss in the championship, we came together and set goals right away,” said fourth-year Sallies coach Bob Healy, whose team is 50-2 in the last three years. “The day after that game – and I am not lying – we got back at it to make sure we were able to make a run at it again this year.
“We had a lot of guys step up. We lost three All-Americans in 2008.”
Those three included goalie Mark Manos, who starred at Drexel as a freshman, attack Kevin Kilpatrick (now at Franklin & Marshall) and Mike Adkins (standout freshman year at Mt. St. Mary’s). But players such as Groux, who is headed to Division III power Salisbury, Ryan Kilpatrick – Kevin’s younger brother – and Blundin led the resurgence.
“We had a lot of motivation and a great work ethic and commitment to the program,” said Healy, a former Wesley College player.
The Sals struggled to defeat St. Andrews, 7-6, in their regular-season finale, and then turned up the heat in the playoffs as they crushed Archmere Academy, 13-0, and Wilmington Friends, 16-2, to reach the finals.
“I thought we played our best lacrosse in the tournament,” said Healy. “We had a tough game against St. Andrews right before the tournament and I thought it was a wakeup for the guys.
“They played hard throughout the tournament. We were mistake-free and we made a lot of good decisions with the ball. We did all the little things.”
Healy said the academic reputation of the school helps draw Pennsylvania student-athletes. Blundin and Kilpatrick, the 10th-grade captains of the Philly-based Duke’s Lacrosse Club, are considered two of the top sophomores in the Mid-Atlantic Region and beyond.
“They are really good players and great kids,” Healy said the two. “That’s what makes it so much fun to coach there. All the kids are so committed – their discipline is amazing.”
Philly players help Tatnall School enjoy solid year
The Tatnall School, stocked with Philly players, also enjoyed a solid year in Delaware boys’ lacrosse.
The Hornets went 10-8 and fell to Tower Hill, 7-5, in the state semifinals. The season’s highlight was a dramatic 6-4 triumph over defending state champion and fourth-seeded Cape Henlopen, 6-4, in the quarterfinals.
The Hornets avenged an early-season 16-9 loss to the Vikings with a strong defense and clutch efforts by senior captains Joe Fragomele (three goals) and Kennett Square’s Bobby Schluter (13 saves).
Sophomore Austin Beer added two goals and junior Nolan Morris (Landenberg) added one while juniors Brad Freeman (Kennett Square) and Jackson Keeler (Landenberg) contributed to the Hornet offensive possessions.
Other contributors from PA included junior defender Garrett Flasinski (West Chester), senior defender David Sanford (Chadds Ford), junior defender Ben Lieberman (Landenberg), sophomore defender Peter Godshall (Chadds Ford), sophomore midfielder Taylor Swarter (Avondale) and freshman attack John Stratman (Lincoln University).
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