Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 5/6/10
Sara Carzo scored the game-winner with 20 seconds left in the second overtime today as host Strath Haven stunned Radnor, 9-8, to snap a three-year Red Raider regular-season winning streak and cause a jumble at the top of the Central League.
Defending state champion Radnor (16-1 overall), ranked No. 1 in the PA Media Lacrosse
Rankings all year, had won 52 straight regular-season games and 34 straight Central League games coming into play. The victory dropped the Raiders (9-1) into second place in the league with third-ranked Strath Haven (12-1 overall, 9-1 league). The teams are one loss behind first-place Springfield-Delco (10-0) – which defeated Ridley, 13-4, on Thursday.
Springfield-Delco, ranked No. 2, travels to Radnor Tuesday afternoon in the final league game for both teams. If the Cougars win, they take the Central League crown and if Radnor wins, it could cause a three-way tie for the title. Strath Haven closes its league campaign Tuesday at Penncrest.
Radnor led, 8-7, late in regulation, but Ana White (three goals) tied it with four minutes to play. Alex Duckenfield (one goal, two assists) had the assist on Carzo’s game-winner.
Strath Haven first-year coach Jen Duckenfield credited the win to brilliant team defense and patience on attack.
“We played good strong Strath Haven team defense and we were patient and we took
care of the ball,” she said. “We forced Radnor out and we made them come to us.”
The win was the first for the Panthers over the Red Raiders in at least 10 years.
“(Radnor coach) Phyllis knows the game more than anybody,” said Duckenfield. “I have so much respect for her and that program.
“I think what the win does for us is make people say, ‘Hey, this team is the real deal.’ It’s a quality team with good hard-working kids that come out and played great team ball.
“They believe in themselves. I don’t think anybody else believed in us.”
Also for the Panthers Alex Duckenfield, Summer O’Donnell (one goal), Jenna Frost (one goal), Caroline Kelly, Kelly Molloy, Caroline Murphy and Clare Sherry played standout defense while Lexi Mazur added one goal. Goalie Lela Meunier was solid with 11 saves.
For the Red Raiders, Courtney Campbell, Allie Martin and Kelyn Freedman each scored twice and Amalia Antonoplos and Leah Gallagher each scored once. Annie Woehling made 10 saves.
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