By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 6/14/23
Radnor defenseman Michael Savadove called the Raptors’ 7-4 win over La Salle Tuesday night in the PIAA 3A semifinals at Garnet Valley a “gritty” win.
“Just props to them, they are a well-coached team and they made us play all four quarters,” said the junior. “It was a gritty win, a good team win. I’m just looking forward to practice tomorrow and another day earned.”
The victory vaults the two-time defending champion Raptors (22-3) into the PIAA final Saturday vs. Springfield-Delco at Penn State’s Panzer Stadium (scheduled for 4:30 pm.). Springfield (22-2), which defeated Radnor, 10-8, in the District 1 final, advanced with a 14-6 victory over Manheim Township.
La Salle (17-7) had fallen to Radnor, 8-1, in the regular season and fell behind, 4-1 in the second period Tuesday. But goals by freshman Dylan Malone (2G) and Paul vanBastelaar made it 4-3 late in the third quarter.
While La Salle was forging its comeback, junior goalie Matt Nelson was superb in the cage with 10 saves.
Radnor, though, scored off a turnover as Colin French (2G, 1A) converted with 10:09 to play to make it 5-3 and Owen Knight (2G, 1A) scored off a Tommy DeShan feed to make it 6-3.
“Their goalie played great and their defense was disciplined,” said French. ‘We had to work for all of our goals.
“It feels great. We have another game, another day to play with my teammates, my brothers.”
La Salle junior faceoff specialist Stevie Davis was a force by winning 12 of 15 faceoffs and scoring once. Cooper Mueller, Mason Montrella and Kessy Cox also scored once each for Radnor and Nick DeCain made 6 saves in goal.
Radnor coach Jon Begier was impressed with La Salle’s defense.
“La Salle is playing really good lacrosse and we could see that,” he said. “I feel fortunate we came out with the win. We were doing the little things we had to do.
“We had to find our way. They are very good defensively and in 6-on-6 we didn’t get much. But we got a few ride backs that helped our cause and manufactured some goals. Their goalie made a bunch of saves. I have a ton of respect for La Salle and the program; they are as good as you get for the last 25 years in our area. We really had to grind it out; they matched everything we did.”
La Salle coach Rob Forster felt his team had its chances, but said the future is bright. His team won two PIAA games with a lot of youth after bowing in the first round the past two seasons.
“They capitalize on every one of your mistakes,” he said. “They scored off two of our clears.
“Our goalie, Matt, played exceptionally well and Stevie was unbelievable. We had freshmen step up on offense. I am proud of our group. The seniors did an unbelievable job of reiterating our culture.
“We were young offensively, and inexperienced. I’m just happy for our seniors; they got to experience this. We were off for two and a half weeks and they were dialed in and kept the team dialed in. With all the young guys and the experience we got, these guys are ready to step up and lead us next year.”
PIAA 3A Semifinals
Radnor 7, LaSalle 4
Radnor
Colin French 2g 1a
Owen Knight 2g 1a
Tucker Graham 1a
Cooper Mueller 1g
Mason Montrella 1g
Tommy DeShan 1a
Kess Cox 1g
Nate Lucchesi 1a
Carter Mountain 1/10 FO
Logan Montrella 1/3 FO
Nick DeCain 6 saves
La Salle
Leyton Bracken 1A
Jack Vandergrift 1A
Paul Van Bastelaar 1G
Stevie Davis 1 G, 12/15 FO
Dylan Malone 2G
Matt Nelson 10 saves
