By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 8/2/12
Delaware County claimed the Sr. Boys’ gold medal at the Keystone State Games Sunday by defeating York County, 6-3, at State College.
Delco went undefeated (6-0-1) and relied on tremendous goaltending by MVP Tommy McDermott (Ridley rising senior), as well as from Gavin Vanstone (Haverford High rising senior).
The Delco defense, led by rising senior Liam O’Donnell (Penncrest rising junior LSM) also excelled, posting one shutout and yielding just 19 goals. Rising junior face-off specialist Dylan Protesto (Penncrest) was dominant at the X.
Coach Justin McQuaid said Delaware County used to be a Keystone Games power, but had struggled slightly in recent years.
“The rest of the state has been loading up as if this was the Mecca of the summer,” he said. “Delaware County had always been the target, but teams were catching up and beating us.
“We went in with a chip on our shoulders this year and we wanted to prove that Delco is still Delco and that we are the team to beat.”
The Delco attack was led overall by Kelton Heverly (Ridley rising senior attackman), who had three goals in the title game; Louis Harrison (Ridley rising junior attackman), who had two goals in the game; and Matt Cioeta (Sun Valley rising senior midfielder), who had a goal and an assist in the game.
Also making big contributions at attack were Jake Herrmann (Interboro rising senior), Brian Warren (Sun Valley rising junior), Billy Kinnard (Penncrest rising junior), and Jake Snow (Garnet Valley rising senior).
At midfield, contributions were made by Steve Halko (Springfield-Delco rising senior), Sean Mingey (Penncrest rising senior) and brian Warren (Sun Valley rising junior) as well as defensive middies Joe Radico (Haverford School rising junior) and Alex McCloskey (Interboro rising senior).
The defense also featured key contributions from Christian Mayer (Penncrest rising senior), Nick Wedling (Sun Valley rising junior), Jacob Nave (Springfield-Delco rising junior) and Andrew Cheezum (Interboro rising senior) as well as J Kraiza (Cardinal O’Hara rising junior), Ray Papa (Sun Valley rising junior) and Stephen MmCrossin (Haverford High rising senior).
Delco roster
Kelton Heverly, Sr, Att, Ridley
Liam O’Donnell, Jr., defenseman, Penncrest
Joe Radico, Jr, Mid, Hav School
Billy Kinnard, Jr, Mid, Penncrest
Lou Harrison, Jr, Att, Ridley
Alex McCloskey, Sr, Mid, Interboro
Dylan Protesto, Jr, FO-Mid, Penncrest
Jake Herrmann, Sr, Att, Interboro
Matt Cioeta, Sr, Mid, Sun Valley
Brian Warren, Jr, Att, Sun Valley
Steve Halko, Sr, Mid, Springfield
Sean Mingey, Sr, Mid, Penncrest
Jake Snow, Sr, Mid, Garnet Valley
Andrew Cheezum, Sr, Def, Interboro
Jacob Nave, Sr, Def, Springfield
Christian Mayer, Sr, Def, Penncrest
J Kraiza, Jr, Def, O’Hara
Nick Wedling, Jr, Def, Sun Valley
Ray Papa, Jr, Def, Sun Valley
Stephen McCrossin, Jr, Def, Haverford High
Tom McDermott, Sr, Goal, Ridley
Gavin Vanstone, Sr, Goal, Haverford High
