Lansdale Catholic beats Devon Prep, secures third straight District 12-2A title

RADNOR >> Lansdale Catholic was in the midst of a tense, back-and-forth battle with rival Devon Prep when that desire for a third straight district title boiled to the surface.

“We needed to stay together and play our game. We knew we had it,” said Crusaders senior attacker Patch Flannery. “There was a lot of pressure on us to three-peat. All of these guys wanted to do it for us seniors. They were there for us and they did well…And we wound up taking it home.”

The Crusaders broke a 4-4 second-half deadlock with the Tide and pulled away to a satisfying 8-6 victory in the District 12-2A Title Game at Eastern University Thursday evening.

Flannery scored every one of his game-high three goals in the third and fourth quarters to help tilt control to LC on a steaming afternoon on the turf at Eastern.

“(The key was) keeping the momentum. We had to stay out of our own heads and be there for each other,” Flannery said. “And make sure we were there in the game – nothing else.”

Declan Sullivan scored a pair of goals for the Tide, who will take on the District 11 champion on Tuesday in the opening round of the PIAA-2A Tournament. LC will face the third-place team from District Three.

“After today, all eyes will be on states,” Flannery said. “We have to keep the momentum going, be there at practice, and make sure we’re a hundred percent everywhere.”

Devon nudged ahead 4-3 in the third quarter on a goal by Ryan Kane.

But the Crusaders answered right back with a tally by sophomore Gavin Selchert, assisted by Flannery.

LC’s offense continued to connect, with goals by Dan Curran and Flannery providing a 6-4 edge.

The Crusaders stayed in front for good.

Devon cut it to 6-5 when Eammon Donovan fired one in for the Tide, but again the Crusaders answered: Selchert set up Flannery for some added breathing room at 7-5.

The Tide got within 7-6 thanks to Sullivan’s second goal but Flannery completed his hat trick with 3 minutes, 38 seconds to go, assuring the trophy stayed with LC for a third straight year.

District 12-2A Championship
Lansdale Catholic 8, Devon Prep 6
Devon Prep 2 1 1 2 — 6
Lansdale Catholic 3 0 2 3 — 8
Devon Prep goals-assists: Evan Young 1-1; Nick Walton 0-1; Nick D’Allesandro 1-2; Eammon Donovan 1-1; Declan Sullivan 2-0; Ryan Kane 1-1.
Lansdale Catholic goals-assists: Sean McMahon 1-0; Evan Milligan 1-0; Colin Cossman 1-0; Patch Flannery 3-2; Gavin Selchert 1-1; Dan Curran 1-0.