Conesotga puts together all the pieces to knock off Radnor in PIAA quarterfinals

West Goshen >> They say to beat a team three times in a season is one of the toughest things in sports. The Conestoga girls lacrosse team hopes to prove that adage.
Kiki Liebezeit had four goals and Kate Galica added three and the Pioneers played one of their more complete games of the season to down Central League rival Radnor, 13-6, in the quarterfinals of the PIAA 3A Championships at West Chester East’s Zimmerman Stadium on Saturday.
The win puts the Pioneers (19-5) into the semifinals Tuesday, where they will meet Owen J. Roberts for the third time this season. The Wildcats have won the first two meetings, including a 7-4 victory in the District 1 semifinals.
“That’s exactly what we want and we’re so fired up,” Leibezeit.
Conestoga’s defense made life difficult for the Raptors, and they didn’t allow many quick-strike goals. Every possession tested Radnor’s patience as they tried to find openings for shooting opportunities. Conestoga forced three turnovers in the first half and goalie Alex Lepore made a couple of stellar saves, including diving across the crease to stop an effort from Angela Esgro.
“I feel like our D was communicating well out there and we had each other’s backs,” Liebezeit said.
Leibezeit scored twice in the first 25 minutes as the Pioneers took a 5-2 lead into the halftime break.
Radnor scored first on a free position from Sarah Kelley. Piper Kienzle answered for ‘Stoga to make it 6-3.
Radnor closed to gap to two again as Grayson Buono scored with 15:21 left.
But, Stoga closed the game on a 7-2 run to put the game away. Chloe Brown started the spurt by firing in a one-timer. Galica scored twice during the run and could’ve added more, but hit the post three different times.
“It happens to everyone at some point,” Galica said. “I used that as fuel for the next time to aim for a different spot. At the end of the game, I got my shot on.”
Radnor coach Lis Zuern was very succinct as to what fueled the run for ‘Stoga.
“Draws are an important part of the game and we didn’t win enough of them,” she said. “Both teams played hard. I’m proud of my kids.”
Buono led Radnor, who finished the year at 15-8-1, with three goals.
“I think the season was great,” Zuern added. “We had a part of the season where we were down, but the girls all focused, came out and worked their butts off to get here, so I’m proud.”
Conestoga kept the pedal to the metal and built a 13-5 lead before Radnor scored the game’s final goal.
“All gas, no brakes,” said Liebezeit. “It was so much fun.”
“I think this was a great team win,” said Galica. “We had so many different scores and we weren’t forcing anything. We had our heads up looking for the pass and I think that’s huge.”

Conestoga 13, Radnor 6
Conestoga 5 8 — 13
Radnor 2 4 — 6
Conestoga goals: Liebezeit 4, Galica 3; Wisch, Brown 2, Kienzle, Hopkins, Preston,
Radnor goals: Buono 3, Murphy 2, Kelly,
Goalie saves: Janssen (R) 5; Lepore (C) 6.