Boys Lacrosse Super 7, May 3
Tuesday could be one of the most intriguing league days the lacrosse season has to offer. Say nothing of the renewal of the Haverford-Episcopal rivalry and a clash of Ches-Mont titans. The Central League sets up so beautifully this evening.
Four teams sit atop the league standings with one loss apiece. Those teams pair off against one another – Conestoga at Garnet Valley, Strath Haven at Haverford. Depending on the outcomes, we could basically have a straight knockout tournament over the next two weeks for the league crown. It’s such a compelling schedule that it bumps the meeting of the last two PIAA champions, Radnor at Penncrest, from top billing. That’s a pretty impressive day for a slate of District One quarterfinals, much less a regular season afternoon. So before that sorts out the league picture (or, more likely, introduces chaos), here’s where the Delco squads stand. (Records through May 2.)
1. Haverford School (13-4) Last week: No. 1
The Fords may not be at the same level as last year’s world-beaters. But after a shaky start, they’ve won 12 of 14. Their signature win was last Friday’s 16-12 plastering of Malvern Prep where the final score could not be more unrepresentative of a game whose margin stood at nine in the fourth quarter. This isn’t just talent, though the Fords’ ability to roll three effective midfield lines compared to Malvern’s thinness showed. Keyveat Postell’s emergence as an elite attackman has been a huge factor. But as Jack Marshall’s faceoff prowess against Malvern showed, the Fords possess that blue-collar edge on the ground and in defense that makes them so effective.
2. Strath Haven (12-2) Last week: No. 2
The Panthers mowed down Radnor and Penncrest last week, the win over the Lions particularly impressive. Haven made the Lions’ look mighty uncomfortable and pumped in 12 goals without one of its top attackmen, Jack Borbee. The minutes earned by Will Bozentka, Sam Mutz, Jake Ross, Tyler Fink and others will pay off down the line when teams key on stopping Jeffrey Conner.
3. Garnet Valley (10-3) Last week: No. 3
The Central League title will make its way through Garnet Valley. Conestoga gets the challenge Tuesday night, then Haven ventures to Moe DeFrank Stadium next Tuesday. Wins in both games – there’s also a nonleague yardstick game against Bishop Shanahan on the weekend – means the Jags likely will get the early rounds of the District One Tournament on home turf, too.
4. Haverford (12-2) Last week: No. 4
I still don’t get the loss to Henderson, but it’s the clear outlier for the Fords. Last week’s win over Conestoga, after spotting the Pioneers seven goals, still boggles the mind, underscoring the explosive offense that makes Dan Greenspun a coach of the year candidate in District One, much less the league. They have a devilish finish with Haven, Springfield and Ridley. If the Fords somehow emerge from that unscathed to guarantee a share of the Central title, it would be a monumental achievement.
5. Springfield (8-6) Last week: No. 6
We’ll get an idea of Springfield’s district standing when it closes the regular season vs. Upper Dublin. But don’t get hung up on the record here. The Cougars are 7-1 in their last eight. They’re averaging 5.6 goals allowed per game, including a paltry 4.5 in that eight-game stretch. Kyle Long could get his 100th career assist this week (he’s four shy and still just a sophomore). The overtime loss to Ridley was a hiccup, and eking out wins over Radnor and Hatboro-Horsham illustrates how quickly the Cougars shrugged it off.
6. Episcopal Academy (5-8) Last week: No. 7
Christian Feliziani missed last Friday’s game with Penn Charter, and EA can ill afford any prolonged absence from the All-American faceoff man. The Churchmen have won five of seven, boosted by an offense that desperately needed the return of Jake Martellucci. The Churchmen surely have no plans to host a coronation for Haverford School Tuesday, and they’ll give their rivals all they can handle.
7. Penncrest (8-5) Last week: No. 5
Seeing the Lions in person triggered more questions than it answered. There’s no denying the danger of Ryan Kinnard and Alex Bonnett. But the complimentary scoring isn’t always there. And for a team with such grizzled defensive veterans, they’ve allowed 10 or more goals on four occasions. For perspective, Garnet Valley and Haverford have also allowed four opponents into double-figures, but their goals-scored averages – 12.1 and 13.6 – significantly exceed Penncrest’s 9.6. One factor is that the Lions lack a goalie capable of stealing games to the degree of Haven, Springfield or Garnet Valley. Another is the lack of poise to sustain possessions. But as the attack matures and coalesces, the defense needs to provide more of a cushion.
Honorable mention: Ridley (6-7, amid a rough season, last week’s overtime win over Springfield shows the fight hasn’t left the Green Raiders. A lull in the schedule this week provides a chance to embellish the record); Radnor (6-7, seven seems an unlucky number for the Raiders: They are 0-4 when they score seven goals this season. They average 7.77 goals per game. They’re 0-7 when they score seven or fewer, 6-0 with eight or more); Archbishop Carroll (10-2, time to include the Patriots. The losses have come to St. Joseph’s Prep and Springside Chestnut Hill, with La Salle on the schedule Thursday. Carroll has two games to solidify their grasp on third place in the Catholic League and secure a notable home playoff game.)
