Freebery’s OT winner sends Kennett into District 1 quarterfinals with win over Boyertown
BOYERTOWN >> Zach Hulme is the first to say that no player can win a game alone.
So while the Kennett senior’s nine-goal performance – including an impressive four tallies in a three-minute span of the fourth quarter – carried the Blue Demons late in Thursday’s second-round game at Boyertown, it was a teammate who saved and extended Kennett’s season.
That would be linemate Bo Freebery, the junior attackman whose third goal of the game came just 24 seconds into overtime, culminating an improbable comeback and sending No. 9 Kennett to the District 1-3A quarterfinals with a 14-13 overtime win over host Boyertown.
Boyertown won the overtime faceoff, but the Blue Demons were able to gain possession and score quickly on Freebery’s transition opportunity.
It was far from the only time Kennett turned a setback into an advantage.
Trailing 7-2 at halftime, 10-6 after three quarters, and 13-8 with four minutes to play, the Blue Demons never relented. They stayed aggressive and showed just the right amount of discipline in a chippy contest appropriate for two teams playing for the second time this season (the first meeting saw Boyertown top Kennett by an identical 14-13 margin on March 17.)
Each team controlled the faceoff battle at different stages, each team got timely caused turnovers from defenses whose days would be best described as hectic, and each team got outstanding individual scoring performances (nine goals and an assist for Hulme; six goals/two assists for Boyertown’s Mason Barndt.)
The singular brilliance of Hulme’s second half, however, set the stage for Freebery’s heroics.
Hulme is bound for Division 1 Marquette University after he graduates next month, and the Golden Eagles are getting a unique offensive weapon.
The Kennett senior’s stat line for 2023 reads like a typo – 116 goals.
Thursday’s fourth quarter assured all in attendance that’s plenty accurate and indicative of his pure shooting ability.
“I think (scoring) can be a role on the team,” said Hulme. “We move the ball well when we’re on our game, and when everyone’s doing their job, it’s just about burying open looks.”
Freebery, a junior committed to Holy Cross, proved his ability to step right into that same role for Kennett next season. His two-goal, three-assist performance included setting up a couple Hulme tallies and making the extra in the offensive zone to allow the Blue Demons to stay within striking distance until the late onslaught.
But the goal everyone will remember came off a forced turnover after Boyertown’s Wyatt Yerger won his 18th faceoff of the day.
Marco Baird made the short pass to Freebery, who made no mistake in prolonging the Blue Demons’ season for at least two more games.
“That’s right at the top of the list [of career highlights],” said Freebery. “I’m so excited for our team to win that. Now we have a chance to go to states, and who knows what else?”
“Lacrosse is a fast game. Scores can change in a matter of minutes, and you’ve just got to keep going.”
Boyertown wraps up its strongest season in years at a mark of 14-5. Coach Grady Wise says the season serves as both a high point for his tenure and inspiration for continued improvement in the future.
“This year’s team is the best we’ve had, talent wise, across the board,” said Boyertown head coach Grady Wise. “They worked hard in the offseason, they set their goals – unfortunately, we didn’t accomplish our goals of winning the PAC or winning a game in Districts.
“But we did win some big games, we played hard. It’s unfortunate it’s got to end here today.”
Wise has coached several of this year’s seniors since middle school and says he’s proud of the group both their on- and off-field accomplishments.
“A great group of young men,” he summarized. “Super talented, fun to be around, and coaching them has been an honor.”
Now sporting a record of 17-3, Kennett heads to No. 1 Radnor next Tuesday to battle the two-time defending state champion Raptors.
Two years ago, Radnor claimed the first of those state titles at Kennett’s expense in the PIAA 3A championship game.
“It might be the biggest game we play,” said Freebery, “but that’s about ourselves. I believe we can compete with anyone, and this is our chance to show everyone that.”
And as they showed Thursday, the Blue Demons are prepared to play the full 48 minutes – and beyond.
Kennett 14, Boyertown 13 OT
KENNETT
Zach Hulme 9 goals, assist
Bo Freebery 3 goals, 3 assists
Colin Jung goal, 3 assists
Luke Finfrock goal, assist
Josh Holt 16 saves
BOYERTOWN
Mason Barndt 6 goals, 2 assists
Gio Daddario 2 goals, assist
Luke Heimbach 2 goals
Tyler Diffenderfer goal, 2 assists
Aidan McFalls goal, assist
Gage Parker goal, assist
Wyatt Yerger 18/31 FOs
Logan Oakes 7 saves
