By Harry Chaykun
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 5/30/15
Katie Quinn practices free-position shots at the end of each Radnor High practice.
That’s why she felt at ease as she stood at the 8-meter mark, staring at Harriton goalie Devin McClain during the second minute of the overtime period of today’s PIAA quarterfinal at West Chester East.
“I just thought about what kind of shot (would beat the goalie),” Quinn said after she converted the free position to give the Red Raiders (22-2) an 8-7 decision over the Rams (20-5).
Radnor, District 1’s third seed, will meet Conestoga in a state semifinal Tuesday at Haverford High. Conestoga topped Great Valley, 12-9.
The Red Raiders, who had lost to Harriton, 13-11, in the semifinal round of districts, fell behind 3-0, in the first 11 minutes of Saturday’s game.
“We were behind 5-0 the last time we played them,” Radnor coach Brooke Fritz said. “I’m telling myself, ‘Here we go again.'”
Quinn finally snapped Radnor’s scoring drought, and Emily Games got two of her four goals in the opening half, which ended with the teams tied, 4-4.
Two goals by Laura Lasprogata gave Harriton a 7-5 advantage with seven minutes to play, but Games and Hannah Proctor answered for the Red Raiders on 8-meter attempts. The goal by Games was set up when goalie Maddie Lally stepped in front of a Harriton pass, made an interception and fired a pass to a teammate up the field.
“I made up my mind we weren’t going to lose to them again,” said Lally, who made eight saves.
Harriton earned the draw control in overtime, but a Ram turnover gave Radnor the chance to claim the decision. Quinn was fouled going to goal, and at 1:13 of extra time she ended the contest.
“The goalie had been stopping shots that were high all day,” Quinn said. “I just did what I could to make it tough on her.”
The Radnor defenders made it tough on Harriton’s attack, paced by Fallon Quinn, Abby Lord, Katy Junior, Nicole Massimino, Hannah Proctor and Reilly Masterson.
“Katy Junior just gets to ground balls, and that’s so important for us,” Fritz said, explaining why she moved junior up when she wanted to get draw controls.
Fallon Quinn, who is headed to Columbia University, admitted that the Red Raiders were a stronger defensive unit than in their May 19 district loss to Harriton.
“We have confidence in each other,” Quinn said. “And we have confidence in our attack.”
Harriton coach George Dick was disappointed to see his season end one week short of the ultimate goal of playing in the state final in Hershey. Dick’s 2013 team beat Radnor in overtime in the PIAA championship match.
“We played hard enough to win, but not well enough to win,” Dick said.
Radnor 8, Harriton 7
Radnor 4-3-1- 8
Harriton 4-3-0- 7
Radnor
Emily Games 4G
Hannah Proctor 1G, 2A
Katie Quinn 2G (game winner)
Julianne Puckette 1G
Maddie Lally 8 saves
Harriton:
Laura Lasprogata 2G
Greta Stahl 2G
Julie Marks 1G, 1A
Jand Henderson 1G
Alex Ladda 1G
Devin McClain 8 saves
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