Boys’ lacrosse: Bishop Shanahan takes over 1st place in Ches-Mont with 8-5 win over Avon Grove

By Bradley Schlegel
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 4/28/15

Pat Corcoran scored two goals and added one assist to lead Bishop Shanahan to an 8-5 victory over host Avon Grove in a Ches-Mont League showdown between undefeated boys’ teams Tuesday.

The win put the Eagles (10-1) in first place in the Ches-Mont with a 7-0 mark and three games remaining against sub-.500 teams. The Red Devils (9-5) fell to 6-1.

Jerry Riccardo scored two goals and Sammie Goforth contributed a goal and an assist for the Eagles, who scored the game’s final three goals. Jason Yoquinto recorded 12 of his 15 saves in the first half for Bishop Shanahan.

“This is always the most fun game of the year,” said Corcoran, a senior midfielder.

In a rematch of last year’s District 1-AAAA championship game, Riccardo, Corcoran and Ben Farrell scored in the final 5:09 to snap a 5-5 tie.

“This is such a huge rivalry and always a competitive game,” Bishop Shanahan head coach Jon Heisman said.

Steven Cyron scored three goals for Avon Grove. J.J. Morroz and Doug Jones also scored.

Cyron scored consecutive goals midway through the fourth quarter to help the team erase a 5-3 deficit. The first goal came with the team one player in the penalty box for 2 minutes, 30 seconds with 9:13 remaining.

“We got a little bit careless with the ball,” Corcoran said.

Cyron registered the game-tying goal 62 seconds later.

Instead of the allowing the Red Devils to take command, Corcoran rallied the team during a timeout, according to Heisman.

“Pat willed us to win,” the coach said. “He put the entire team on his back. He’s a gamer, just unbelievable, one of the best players I have ever coached.”

Riccardo’s goal with 5:09 remaining put the Eagles ahead for good. Corcoran and Ben Farrell followed with consecutive tallies 57 seconds in the waning minutes.

“Bishop Shanahan pressured us all over the field, Avon Grove head coach Eric Jackson said. “We had a tough time moving the ball.”

The Eagles end their league schedule with games against Sun Valley on Thursday, West Chester East on May 5 and Unionville on May 7.

Bishop Shanahan 8, Avon Grove 5

Bishop Shanahan 1 2 1 4 — 8
Avon Grove 0 2 1 2— 5

Bishop Shanahan
Ben Farrell 1g
Nick Brennan 1g
Sammie Goforth 1g 1a
Jerry Riccardo 2g
Pat Corcoran 2g 1a
Alex Wagner 1g
Ryan McNulty 1a
Jason Yoquinto 15 saves

Avon Grove
Steven Cyron 3g
J.J. Morroz 1g
Doug Jones 1g
P.J. Rafferty 2a
Kevin Malone 7 saves