By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 5/24/18
Madi McKee knew her Garnet Valley team would keep poised when adversity struck early, in the form of a quick 3-0 deficit, Thursday in the District 1 AAA championship game against Springfield-Delco.
“A couple of things weren’t working but everything flows so nicely,” said McKee. “It took us a while to get into rhythm but our defense and attack figured it out did what we needed to change.”
With McKee collecting five goals, one assist and 12 draw controls, the Jags used an 8-1 surge to take an 8-4 halftime lead and never allowed the Cougars to get closer than two goals en route to a 13-9 victory at Henderson.
Garnet Valley (20-2) advances to meet District 1 seventh-place finisher Downingtown East in a PIAA opener Tuesday while the Cougars (18-4) face District 3 third-place finisher Exeter.
Kamryn McNeal was a big playmaker for the Jags, dishing six assists while Regan Nealon had three goals, Kathryn Toohey had two goals, an assist and three draws and Riley Delaney scored twice.
Dana Carlson had four goals for the Cougars while Isabelle Mastropietro added two goals and two assists.
Carlson’s third tally drew Springfield within 10-8 with 7:37 to play. But McKee won the next draw and Delaney made it 11-8; Nealon and Toohey followed with insurance goals.
We rewatched our Springfield game from the middle of the Central League and talked about how they beat us 5-3 in the second half,” said Garnet Valley coach Jenny Purvis of a 10-8 win that almost got away. “I think when they (the Cougars) started to go on the run we felt prepared and we knew that all we needed was to take care of the run and take care of the ball.
“Having poise in that possession was the key. I was proud of the way we played together, which was crucial for today.”
Springfield-Delco coach Keith Broome said Garnet’s success on the draws was critical.
“We can do better there but gibe McKee credit, she had a sensational game,” he said. “On attack they have so many weapons and we couldn’t stop the bleeding.
“You can’t gibe an offense like that 10 more draws, which means 10 more scoring opportunities.”
Garnet Valley 13, Springfield-Delco 9
Garnet Valley-8-5-13
Springfield-Delco 4-5-9
Garnet Valley
Caroline Carruthers- 1ct
Riley Delaney- 2g
Cam Faith- 1g, 1gb, 3ct
Madi McKee- 5g, 1a, 1gb, 12dc
Kamryn McNeal- 6a, 1dc
Kara Nealon- 2a, 1gb
Regan Nealon- 3g, 1gb, 1dc
Kathryn Toohey- 2g, 1a, 1gb, 3dc
Linda Zamrowski- 1gb, 1ct
Sam Hamalak-6 saves
Springfield-Delco
Dana Carlson 5g
Isabelle Mastropietro 2g, 2a
Julia Schickling 1g
Erin Gormley 1g
Olivia Pace 1g
Olivia Little 2a