Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 5/21/22 – Staff Report
Brayton Bellafiore scored four goals, including the game winner with 1 minutes, 20 seconds to play, lifting 19th-seeded Unionville to a stunning 7-6 victory over host Garnet Valley today in the District 1 Class AAA quarterfinals.
The win vaulted the Longhorns (13-8) into the semifinals – clinching its first state playoff berth – for the first time in school history. Unionville will travel to second-seeded Downingtown East – a 15-4 winner over Spring-Ford – on Tuesday.
Garnet Valley (6th seed) will need to defeat Spring-Ford in the playbacks Tuesday (at Garnet, 7:30 p.m.) to advance to states.
Unionville also knocked off third-seeded Downingtown West in the second round in overtime by the same 7-6 score. Unionville dropped a 6-3 decision to Downingtown East just 9 days ago in a Ches-Mont League game.
“Nothing has come easily for us this year but we haven’t stopped trying to improve,” said Unionville coach Steven Holmes. “Our resilience has paid off and we are now starting to hit our stride.
“I’m very happy and proud that our players can continue playing and show what they can do.”
Max Busenkell had five goals and an assist for Garnet Valley.
Goalie Nico Kotch made 13 saves to lead Unionville’s defense and Kevin Nowaswiat had a goal and three assists while Luc Spano and Owen Kupsey each had a goal and an assist. The defense was anchored by close defenders Connor Bellafiore, Mark Matson, and Luke Stokes, LSM David Hoffman and short-stick middies Hunter Darlington, Lincoln Cawley and Luke Schriver.
District 1 AAA quarterfinals
Unionville 7, Garnet Valley 6
Unionville
Brayton Bellafiore 4G
Kevin Nowaswiat 1g, 3a
Luc Spano 1g, 1a
Owen Kupsey 1g, 1a
Nico Kotch 13 saves
