By Barry Sankey
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 6/7/17
Mike Tulskie scored four goals and James Spence collected seven saves and posted a rare shutout as Springfield-Delco defeated Lansdale Catholic, 12-0, Tuesday night at Methacton in the PIAA Class AA semifinals.
The Cougars (21-3) advance to play Henderson in the title game Saturday at West Chester East at 2 p.m. Henderson (20-3) – which fell to Springfield, 4-3, in the District 1 final – routed Mars Area, 20-8.
Lansdale Catholic (18-5) closed its most successful season as it won two state games after reaching the Catholic League semifinals and winning the District 12 championship.
Springfield-Delco was never threatened. Tulskie scored twice in the first period off assists from Kyle Long (one goals, four assists and 104 assists for the season) and the Cougars added six four more goals in the second period to seize a 6-0 lead.
Joe DeBernardi and Zac Venit each added two goals and Mike Vent had a goal and an assist and Jack Spence two assists.
The Cougars were the final PIAA champion last year under the old, one-classification system.
“He (Tulskie) is really a great finisher and shooter from that lefty spot,” said Long, a junior midfielder. “We played in a youth program together. Then he went to (Cardinal) O’Hara team. This year he came back. Joey (Debarnardi), he and I really showed up in the playoffs.”
Long said he has always functioned as a setup guy in all the sports he has played, basketball, football and lacrosse.
“We’re a great team,” said Tulskie. “He (Long) is he passer and I am the finisher. It is just a great position.”
Now comes Saturday’s ultimate test for the Cougars – the state championship game against Henderson.
“This is the greatest opportunity, to win the state,” said Tulskie. “In the beginning of the year, we set this goal. We wanted to win (again) since our last championship. That is what we have been working for – a state championship.”
As its been all year, the Springfield-Delco defense was air-tight. The unit of Pat Clemens, Nick Cutuli, Nick Matty, and Anthony DiVario and defensive middies Matt Ries and Jamie Bove gave the Crusaders few opportunities. When threatened, All-American James Spence was unbeatable.
For LC Bobby Bausman was strong with nine saves and Nick Heiler won 10 of 16 face offs.
Lansdale Catholic head coach Tom Nace is very justly proud of the season his Crusaders enjoyed. LC made its first state playoff appearance and then won a pair of games to advance to the semifinals.
“I knew coming into the season this year that we had 12 seniors who would play their hearts out together,” said Nace. “We achieved all of our goals and more.”
LC defeated Eastern York (Dist. 3-3), 14-8, in the opening round of states and followed that up with a 12-9 victory over Crestwood (Dist. 2-1).
Springfield-Delco 12, Lansdale Catholic 0
Springfield-Delco 2-4-4-2 – 12
Lansdale Catholic 0-0-0-0 – 0
Springfield-Delco
Mike Tulskie 4g
Joe DeBernardi 2g
Ben Garcia 1g, 1a
Kyle Long 1g, 4a
Jack Spence 2a
Zac Venit 2g
Mike Vent 1g, 1a
Liam DiFonzo 1g
James Spence 7 saves
LC
Bobby Bausman 9 saves
Nick Heiler 10 of 16 FO