By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 6/1/23
Springfield-Delco senior co-captain Aidan Kreydt said his team’s work ethic was rewarded Wednesday night after the Cougars toppled top-seeded Radnor, 10-8, to claim the District 1 3A championship at West Chester East.
“It felt like a dream,” he said. “Day in and day out, we work so hard and that hard work pays off. It showed here tonight.”
The Cougars (19-2) have won 14 straight games since a 6-5 overtime loss to Radnor. Springfield-Delco will open PIAA play Wednesday at home (7 p.m.) against District 1 sixth-place finisher Pennridge (the game was moved back a day due to Pennridge’s graduation).
Radnor (19-3), the 2022 District 1 champion and two-time defending PIAA champion, will face District 4 fourth-place finisher Hempfield or Dallastown on Tuesday at a site and time to be determined.
Cougar junior All-EPLCA attackman Ty Gougler scored four goals Wednesday and had the game-winner with 3:27 to play. He added an insurance tally with 1:39 left but injured his knee in the post-goal celebration. His status is unknown.
Gougler’s tallies came after Radnor had rallied from a 7-4 third-period deficit and then again after Sean Donaldson gave the Cougars an 8-7 lead with 9:45 to play. Kessy Cox (2G, 1A) tied it at 8-8 with 8:46 to play. But the Raptors would not score again.
“I thought our defense played phenomenal,” said Kreydt, who had a goal and an assist. “I thought our offense started slow, but we got the lead and kept our foot on the medal.”
led by Mason Montrella (3 goals), Radnor scored three straight goals in the closing minutes of the first period and the start of the second to take a 3-1 lead before Springfield went on a 6-1 tear. Gougler and Pat Flaherty (3G, 1A) each had two goals while Kreydt and Jimmy Kennedy each scored one in the spurt.
But the Raptors fought back as Nate Lucchesi scored to make it 7-5 with 2:55 left in the third quarter and Colin French made it 7-6 just before the period ended. Cooper Mueller tied it 59 seconds into the final period.
“We always talk about runs,” said Kennedy. “We go on a run, they go on a run. We came out in the third quarter strong, but they came back with a little run and shocked us a little. We came back at them and the rest is history.”
“They (the Raptors) are so good and so well coached,” added Springfield coach Tom Lemieux said. “I’m just so impressed with how both teams fought and showed so much heart – especially our guys. There were runs both ways.
“I thought our kids stayed composed. This is a big atmosphere and I thought they handled themselves really well. It was a total dogfight. That’s what makes this rivalry so great.”
Radnor coach John Begier said his team will use the loss as a motivator for states as they aim for a third straight PIAA crown.
“We didn’t play well enough to win the game,” he said. “We’re not going to feel sorry for ourselves. It was a really good game and Springfield finished it off. It’s quite a rivalry.
“For us, we’re moving forward. You have tough losses and you have to learn from them. This is one we’ll learn from and get better. They earned it. We didn’t do enough things to win the game, but we’ll turn the page and try to make a tough loss a good loss. There are things we didn’t execute on tonight and we’ll figure it out and we will regroup and get better from it.”
District 1 3A championship
Springfield-Delco 10, Radnor 8
Springfield 1-3-3-3- 10
Radnor 2-1-3-2-8
Springfield
Pat Flaherty 3g, 1a
Jimmy Kennedy 1g, 1a
Ty Gougler 4g
Aidan Kreydt 1g, 1a
Sean Donaldson 1g
Luke Valerio 3a
Jackson Kennedy 6 Saves
Lucas Aaron 16/21 FO
Radnor
Kess Cox 2g 1a
Mason Montrella 3g
Owen Knight 2a
Nate Lucchesi 1g 1a
Colin French 1g
Cooper Mueller 1g
Nick DeCain 5 saves