By Bradley Schlegel
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 5/30/15
Peter Gayhardt scored six goals and St. Joseph’s Prep raced to a 7-1 halftime lead before coasting to a 15-7 victory today over Manheim Township in a PIAA boys’ lacrosse quarterfinal at Exeter.
The District 12 champion Hawks (18-5) advance to the semifinals Tuesday against Cumberland Valley, a 9-7 winncer over State College.
Kevin Stump added three goals and Andrew Watts had two goals and two assists, while Daniel Fisher and Bernie Halfpenny combined to win 14-of-25 faceoffs.
Kevin Curico and Chris Augeri each scored twice for the District Three champion Blue Streaks (23-3). Canton Johnson recorded 11 saves.
Mike Marchese, who has been a stalwart in the post-season, stopped 17 shots for St. Joe’s Prep.
Gayhardt, a 6-foot-5 2016 attackman, called the win another step on the team’s goal to win a state title.
“We shot the ball well today,” he said.
Hawks head coach Andy German described Gayhardt, a talented basketball player with quick hands and nifty footwork as a “nightmare” for defenders to cover.
“He is tough to match up against,” German said of Gayhardt. “His size, skill and quick feet are a dangerous combination for defenses.”
St. Joe’s Prep took control early, building a 7-1 lead midway through the second quarter. Gayhardt and Stump each scored two of the team’s first six goals.
“We came in with the right mindset,” German said. “They understand that at this time of year that if you lose, you’re finished.”
Unlike a March 30 meeting – in which the Hawks defeated Manheim Township 11-10 in overtime – the players knew exactly what to expect, according to Gayhardt.
He credited that preparation to German.
“We look at plenty of game film, and he’s very good at explaining the game plan,” Gayhardt said. “Even though this is (German’s) first year as head coach, you might think this is his 10th in the job.”
Manheim Township 0 1 4 2 — 7
St. Joseph’s Prep 4 3 4 4 — 15
Manheim Township
Kevin Curico 2g
Grason Sallade 1g
Chris Augeri 2g 1a
Davis Carr 1g
Ryan Miller 1g, 1a
Griffin Schultz 1a
Canton Johnson 11 saves
Jack Braswell 0 saves
St. Joseph’s Prep
Peter Gayhardt 6g
Kevin Stump 3g
Stephen Tobia 1g 2a
Dan Fisher 1g
Alexander Scalamandre 1g
Mike Shapiro 1g
Kyle Schuerle 1a
Andrew Watts 2g, 2a
