By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 5/19/15
John Roulston made 12 saves to lead Conestoga to a 6-5 victory today over Radnor in the District 1 semifinals at Henderson.
The win pushes the 10th-seeded Pioneers (13-9) into the title game Thursday vs. the Springfield-Delco/Central Bucks East winner at Henderson Thursday at 6 p.m.
Sixth-seeded Radnor (16-6) will play the loser of the second semifinal at Henderson Thursday at 4 p.m.
Conestoga, which entered the tourney with a 9-9 record, has won three straight one-goal games in the playoffs.
“I think what (helped) is the senior leadership; I think we have 23 seniors,” said Roulston. “We have a lot of guys that have put the time in and they know what it takes to work their butt off and get to where they want to go.”
Radnor took a 2-0 lead into the second period, but the Pioneers’ Steve Hildebrand tied it, 3-3, with 3:17 left in the first half. Brant Pittman scored midway through the third period to put Conestoga ahead for good and Sam Friedman and Jace Kienzle each scored insurance tallies to make it 6-3 in the final quarter.
“I think the defense is playing its best lacrosse all season and they are a formidable unit when they are playing together,” said Conestoga coach Brody Bush. “I couldn’t ask for more effort than these kids are giving.
“It’s something special and they don’t wan it it to end. I think they are going to ride it out as long as they can.”
Radnor got late goals from Clayton Proctor and Jack Wilson.
Tom Meyers won 12 of 14 face-offs and Alex Andersen had eight saves for the Raiders, who had beaten the Pioneers, 8-3, during the regular season.
“We had a lot of tough games earlier in the season against really good teams and we’ve come back to beat some of these teams,” said Roulston, who Pioneers also avenged a big loss to Penncrest in the quarterfinals.
Radnor coach John Begier credited the Pioneers.
“I think for Conestoga is playing really good lacrosse,” he said. “We knew their defense would be a handful and it’s a big and physical unit that plays well together. We never really got a rhythm on offense and their goalie made saves.”
Conestoga 6, Radnor 5
Conestoga 0-3-1-2- 6
Radnor 2-1-0-2 5
Radnor
Jack Wilson 1g
Clayton Proctor 1g
Jack Norton 1g
Drew Ryan 1gPhil Regan 1g
Alex Andersen 8 saves
Tom Meyers 12 of 14 FO
Conestoga
Sam Friedman 1g
Brant Pittman 1g
Tommy Sopko 1g
Henry Berg 1a
Quinn Bridge 1a
Jace Kienzle 1g
Steven Hildebrand 1g
Matt Nagle 1g
John Roulston 12 saves
