Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 6/5/19
Staff Report
Mark Sickler scored with 23 seconds to play, giving Hershey a stunning 10-9 win over Strath Haven today at Exeter in the PIAA Class AA semifinals.
The District 3 Trojans (19-5) had tied the game with 54 seconds remaining as Sickler forced a turnover, picked up the groundball and fed Nick Rizzo, who buried the equalizer. Adam Paymer won the next faceoff, setting up Sickler’s game winner.
“I’m speechless,” said Sickler, headed to plat at West Point. “It shows the hard work we’ve given this past year. There have been a lot of great Hershey teams that have gone through and none of them had the opportunity to make a state final.
“To be able to go this far, win districts for the first time ever is special because of our alumni and our coaches and what they have done for us.
“I have never been on a team this close. We are brothers, playing for each other like a family. This is so great for our supporters, our alumni and everyone for Hershey lacrosse; but more importantly for each other. We wanted one more game!”
The win advances Hershey to the PIAA championship game Saturday against defending champion Bishop Shanahan at West Chester East (2:30 p.m.). Hershey will be the second team from outside of the District 1/12 Philly regions to make a PIAA boys’ state final; last year Manheim Township won the Class AAA title.
Bishop Shanahan (21-1) toppled District 2 champion Crestwood, 21-6.
Hershey started strong, taking a 4-0 lead on three goals by Colin Kondracki (five goals) and a tally by Justin Hoover popped.
Strath Haven (15-9) then rattled off five straight goals, by Nicky Palermo, three by Ethan Belville and one by Ibo Pio to make it 5-4 with 8:32 to play in the third period.
Kondracki tied it, but Strath Haven went up 8-5 on two goals by Palermo and another by Pio. Pio later dished to Matt Faggioli for a 9-7 lead with 5:30 left, but Kondracki’s fifth goal of the night made it 9-8 with 3:35 to play.
Adam Paymer collected the loose ball on the ensuing faceoff to give Hershey possession. Sickler rewarded Paymer for his efforts, beating Strath Haven goalie Vincey Palermo for the game-winner.
“Our offensive coach drew up a nice play,” said Sickler, who scored three goals. “One of the defensemen went to double team me and I took the ball to X and he backed off so it was back to 1-on-1. I took him again, backed out and re-dodged, got inside, got the look and shot the ball.
“I was in shock. I wasn’t really hitting my shots, but just to be able to hit that for my team … I could care less who scored. I just wanted us to have that extra day together. Luckily, we have another game to play.”
Hershey 10, Strath Haven 9
Hershey 4 0 1 5 – 10
Strath Haven 0 3 5 1 – 9
Hershey
Colin Kondracki 5g
Mark Sickler 3g
Jay Rodriguez 1g
Justin Hoover 1g
Nick Rizzo 2a
Brady Bowman 6 saves
Strath Haven
Nicky Palermo 3g
Ethan Belville 3g, 2a
Ibo Pio 2g, 3a
Wade Mutz 1a
Matt Faggioli 1g
Vincey Palermo 13 saves
