Rustin rolls into state semis with a dominating win over NW Lehigh
By Neil Geoghegan
ngeoghegan@21st-centurymedia.com
@NeilMGeoghegan on Twitter
READING >> Thanks to an explosive attack, and a defense that learned some lessons on the fly, the West Chester Rustin boys’ lacrosse squad continued its run into uncharted territory in this, the program’s first PIAA Tournament appearance.
On Saturday in the Class 2A Quarterfinals, the Golden Knights never trailed and went on to blast Northwestern Lehigh, 19-7, to advance to the PIAA Final Four. It sets up an intriguing rematch versus Marple Newtown in the semis on Tuesday. Rustin captured its first district crown 10 days ago against Marple Newtown.
“We are taking everything day by day and cherishing the moments we can spend together and try to get better every day,” said Rustin head coach Kevin Philibin.
“This is what we’ve been working for every year,” added senior midfielder Marek Seaman. “We fell short the last couple years, but finally the work has paid off and we are where we want to be.
“We got our district championship banner, and we have plans to get the state championship banner next.”
Midway through the action at Exeter High School, Rustin seized total control by pouring in nine straight goals. And, of course, the Knights’ outstanding seniors Antonio Santangelo, Jake Jackson and Seaman were at the heart of the surge.
“We’ve added some new stuff in and it plays to our strength,” said Seaman, who has signed to play college lacrosse at West Point. “We are pushing transition really well and the attack has really fallen into place. We are playing very, very well right now.”
In just its fourth season of existence, Northwestern Lehigh’s magical run ends with a record of 15-7. The Tigers are the reigning District 11 champs.
The offensive onslaught started early as the Knights scored twice in the opening 2:13, before the Tigers had their first possession. But Northwestern Lehigh has a potent attack of its own and that kept it close for a while, scoring three times before the end of the opening quarter to pull within 5-3.
“Our slide package was out of sorts, so we straightened it up,” Seaman said.
The second quarter, however, was when Rustin took command, and the seniors led the way. The Knights (18-5 overall) scored six of seven goals in the quarter to lead 11-4 at the half.
“We ran through our sets and were able to find some open looks,” Philibin explained. “We’ve been preaching all season that when they let the ball work, we are lucky in that we have six guys that can move it, shoot it and score it. They are doing a good job of getting the defense spinning and making it tough for opposing goalies.”
Showing a remarkably balanced attack, Seaman, Jackson and Santangelo each notched five goals on the day, and Jackson led the way with three assists. Junior Jack O’Hora chipped in with two goals and two assists.
“We shared the ball really well today and didn’t force things,” Philibin said. “And when they let the ball do the work and played together, it’s a special group.”
The start exposed some defensive deficiencies within the Rustin defense. Adjustments were made, however, and the Knights surrendered just three goals over the course of the final 34-plus minutes.
“Our defense had a bit of a slow start today,” Philibin said. “In the offensive huddle we talked that sometimes we have to take things into consideration, slow it down and take some heat off the defense so they can get their feet back under themselves – and we did for the last three quarters.”
Rustin heads into the semis riding a nine-game winning streak. And with each victory, this team establishes a new standard for the program. All that stands between a berth in the state finals is a Marple Newtown squad that the Knights recently beat 9-4. But Marple Newtown looked sharp in a 13-5 quarterfinal win against Cocalico.
“We’ve seen each other before and we know that (Marple Newtown) feels they were in (the district final) and will come back chomping at the bit to get another shot at us,” Philibin said.
In addition to the earlier meeting, Rustin may have an advantage when it comes to motivation: Marple Newtown has two senior starters, but the Knights have a senior class that is the best ever to come through the program.
“We’ve been playing together for six years, and we all share the same goal,” Seaman said. “Everybody else is going down (to the shore) for Senior Week, but we are staying and have practice (Sunday). And we love it.
“This is what we want to do. We are focused, we have a goal and we are going to try our best to achieve it.”
West Chester Rustin 19, Northwestern Lehigh 7
Northwestern Lehigh 3 1 1 2 — 7
West Chester Rustin 5 6 4 4 — 19
Northwestern Lehigh goals: Christopher 4, Sosnovik 2, Hallock.
West Chester Rustin goals: Jackson 5, Santangelo 5, Seaman 5, O’Hora 2, Lamb, Cotter.
Goalie saves: Smargiassi (NWL) 11. Carney (R) 9.
