Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 5/2/23 – From Staff Report
Despite giving up a 7-4 halftime lead and falling behind, 9-8 with about 11 minutes left in Tuesday’s Central League girls’ showdown with Conestoga, Springfield-Delco remained confident.
“I think what helped us was our positivity and the fact that we kept our heads up,” said Cougars senior Erin DeStefano about the clutch 12-9 victory. “When they (took the lead) we were able to keep a positive mindset and move to the next play.
“I think the fact that we lost (to them) in the District final last year (motivated us). They were and still are a great team which made this a highly anticipated game for us. We haven’t beaten ‘Stoga in 10 years and I think the work we put in at practice showed in last night’s game.”
Thanks to a 4-0 run to end the game, Springfield-Delco – ranked No. 7 by phillylacrosse.com and No. 3 in the PA State Rankings in 3A – took over sole possession of first place in the Central League with a 9-0 mark (14-0 overall). The Cougars can clinch the crown outright with wins over third-place Penncrest (8-1) on Thursday and Marple Newtown next Tuesday. Defending league, District 1 and PIAA champion Conestoga, No. 3 in the Phillylacrosse.com Rankings and No. 2 in the State poll, is 13-2.
Pioneer senior two-time All-American Kate Galica gave her team the 9-8 lead, but DeStefano (four goals, two assists) fed Lexi Aaron for the tying goal two minutes later and Jaclyn Guille (two goals) scored on an isolation to make it 10-9. DeStefano and Maddie Kane (two goals, two assists) scored insurance goals.
Maddy McBride posted 10 saves for the Cougars to earn the win.
Springfield is the only undefeated District 1 team in 3A and now has the top seed for the upcoming playoffs.
“One of the biggest reasons for our success this year is playing hard for a full 50 minutes, staying positive, and playing as a team,” said DeStefano. “I think staying patient on attack will help us too. Moving the ball around, and making sure everyone has a touch is important to getting the ball in the net.”
For Conestoga, Ellie Wisch had four goals and Galica added three goals, an assist, three draw controls, two groundballs and a caused turnover. Chloe Brown collected nine draw controls, three caused turnovers and two groundballs.
Springfield-Delco 12, Conestoga 9
Springfield-Delco
Erin DeStefano 4g 2a
Maddie Kane 2g 2a
Jaclyn Guille 2g
Lexi Aaron 1g
Devin Buggy 1g
Allie Hunter 1g 1a
Kylee O’Donnell 1g
Jules Govan 1a
Claire Lynch 1a
Maddy McBride 10 saves
Conestoga
Ellie Wisch 4g, 1gb
Kate Galica 3g 1a, 3dc, 2gb, 1ct
PIper Kienzle 1g, 1gb
Kiki Liebezeit 1g, 1gb
Natalie Yarmark 1a, 2gb
Chloe Brown 9dc, 2gb, 3ct
Keating Hopkins 2dc, 1gb
Eva Stagnaro 1gb
Brooke Braslow 1gb
Cassidy Brown 1ct
Maria Ziff 1gb, 1ct
Alex Lepore 5 saves
