Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 4/1/23 – From Staff Report
Luciano Chadha admitted that the Radnor boys’ lacrosse team was hyped for today’s game with powerful Malvern Prep.
“Everyone knows they have a ridiculously good team and that helped us get up for the game,” said the Radnor senior captain and close defender after a stunning 15-7 win over the four-time defending Inter-Ac League champions. “That showed in the game. Every single person made a huge contribution.”
Colin French scored five goals and Mason Montrella had four goals and an assist for the Raptors, who dominated all aspects of the play in a game that featured the top private school and top PIAA team from the past few seasons. Radnor (ranked No. 7 by Phillylacrosse.com), the two-time defending PIAA 3A champion, improved to 3-1 and No. 2 Malvern Prep fell to 3-3.
“It was a great team effort,” said Chadha. “We know how good Malvern is. Every year they’re nationally ranked and they’re a team we love to play.. We’ve scrimmaged them the last few years and we were looking forward to playing them.”
Radnor led, 4-2, after one period and 7-3 at halftime. Malvern Prep never challenged in the second half as the Raptors defense of Chadha, Michael Savadove (1G, 1A), and Drew Knight, LSMs Brian Henry and Pablo Strid, short sticks Cooper Mueller (1G, 1A), Matt Wolfington, and Henry Pierce and goalie Nick DeCain (4 saves) kept the Friars’ vaunted attack from breaking loose.
Also faceoff specialist Carter Mountain and Danny Rosenblum helped even the possessions and Max Goldstein had two goals and two assists, while Nate Lucchesi added a goal and an assist.
“Everybody stepped up,” said Chadha. “I can truly say that every guy on the roster had a big contribution.”
Chadha said the Raptors are focused on taking small steps toward a larger goal and have moved on from past successes.
“All that stuff comes from the top,” he said. “Coach (John) Begier is awesome at helping us to be humble. He says we have zero entitlement and preaches that it’s a new year and that we haven’t proved anything. Last year is done and a lot of those guys are gone. We need to earn every game.”
Chadha continued, noting that rankings or expectations of being a favorite for a third state crown come from outside, not from the locker room.
“We’re not worried about that stuff. No championships are won in March and April,” he said. “We try to win every game in front of us. We will practice hard and hopefully get results and take it a day at a time. We put that stuff on the side; mentally we need to get everyone in the same place. We’re not worried about June only what’s in front of us.”
What’s coming soon is a lineup of top teams. On Tuesday Radnor travels to Long Island to meet perennial power Garden City. Then on Thursday the Raptors travel to Philly’s No. 1 team, Academy of the New Church, in a game which will have much anticipation.
Ennis Udo (one assist), Dylan O’Connor and Hagen McTear each had two goals for Malvern Prep.
Radnor 15, Malvern Prep 7
Radnor 4-3-4-4- 15
Malvern Prep 2-1-3-1- 7
Radnor
Colin French 5g
Mike Savadove 1g 1a
Max Goldstein 2g 2a
Nate Lucchesi 1g 1a
Mason Montrella 4g 1a
Jackson Gaffney 1g 2a
Tommy DeShan 1a
Matt Wolfington 1a
Cooper Mueller 1g 1a
Carter Mountain F/O 7/14
Danny Rosenblum F/O 5/8
Nick DeCain 4 saves
Malvern Prep
AJ Nikolic 3A
Mike Ortleib 1G
Ennis Udo 2G, 1A
Dylan O’Connor 2G
Hagen McTear 2G
Chris Rabena 5 saves
Nick Wehmeyer 9 for 15 FO
Aidan Cabahug-Almonte 4 for 8 FO
