District 1 Girls Lacrosse: Hunter on target as Springfield holds off Radnor
SPRINGFIELD – When in need of a big goal, draw control or caused turnover, Allie Hunter had Springfield covered Tuesday.
Hunter was one of several awesome sophomores to leave her impact on the top-seeded Cougars’ 14-10 victory over No. 8 Radnor in the quarterfinal round of the District 1 Class 3A tournament.
Springfield will host No. 4 Penncrest in a semifinal round contest Thursday at 4.
“It’s really exciting. I feel like everyone is working together as a team to really win and succeed,” Hunter said. “When the game is closer, there’s more pressure on everyone. Everyone works together as a team and our positive energy really helps anyone pick up their game.”
Hunter was one of three Cougars to score a hat trick with an assist, joining classmate Maddie Kane and senior Erin DeStefano. Hunter also had four draw controls, including one midway through the second half that enabled the Cougars to get back on track after Radnor had pulled within four goals.
Jaclyn Guille, another super soph, demonstrated her value with a caused turnover late in the first half to help the Cougars stem the tide in a close game, then contributed a pair of goals in the second half. Kane had three draw controls and three ground balls to go with her three scores. Kylee O’Donnell added a goal, two assists and three ground balls. Kara Clark excelled on defense alongside senior defenders Anabel Kreydt and Lexi Aaron.
“The underclassmen were really good last year, but they took their game to a whole new level this year,” said senior Mia Valerio, who supplied a goal and four assists. “That has helped us so much, and in every aspect of the game. Allie Hunter’s draw near the end definitely changed the momentum of the game after they went on a huge run.”
Springfield held an 11-3 advantage in the second half, but Angela Esgro and Grayson Buono made sure Radnor wouldn’t go quietly against the Central League champions. Esgro and Buono combined for five straight Radnor goals to cut the deficit to 12-8 with 10:09 to play.
Hunter battled to win the ensuing draw as Springfield regained control. Three minutes later, Hunter scored on an O’Donnell pass to put the Cougars ahead by five.
On the other end, junior goalie Maddie McBride was incredible for the Cougars (18-1), stopping 11 shots and creating a couple of turnovers.
“I just stay focused on the ball and I hear all my teammates cheering me on, which always gets me even more psyched up,” McBride said. “I know they are there for me so I have to step up and be there for them.”
Esgro had a game-high five goals, Buono chipped in with three and Sarah Kelley had two for the Raptors, who move to the playback round where they will have the opportunity to win a berth to the state tournament next month.
