WESTTOWN >> Two teams who needed a win for very different reasons put on a very entertaining girls lacrosse contest Tuesday.
Jordyn Krafchick fired in a goal 1:46 left and caused a key turnover moments later as West Chester Rustin edged Unionville, 14-13, in a Ches-Mont League American Division contest.
“It was a great team effort,” said Krafchick. “We all worked our butts off the whole entire way. We didn’t stop and we won because of it.”
The loss damaged Unionville’s (2-6, Ches-Mont American, 6-8 overall) District 1 playoff hopes.
They came into the evening 26th in the district power rankings, Twenty-four teams reach the 3A playoffs.
“We’ll keep fighting,” said first-year Unionville coach Coley Ricci. “Any given day, that’s the best thing about sports. I’m so proud of my team’s effort and fight. The way that they stayed together and supported each other.”
The Golden Knights (4-5, 4-11), who have been suffering a difficult season, snapped a four-game losing streak.
“I would say, for the most part,” Rustin coach Sarah Kropp said when asked if this was their best game of the season. “We’re coming alive. Our offense was clicking tonight. It’s probably the best that it looked all season. Our zone defense that we put in is really paying off.”
With Rustin trailing, 13-12, Krafchick took a pass and rifled in a shot to draw even with 1:51 left.
The Golden Knights won the ensuing draw. Krafchick picked up the loose ball and race nearly half of the field. Her shot beat goalie Lyla Watson to put Rustin up 14-13 with 1:42 to play and gave her seven goals on the night.
But, Krafchick was not finished influencing the game. Unionville won the draw control, but Krafchick knocked the ball away. It went out of bounds and possession was awarded to Rustin.
They ran out the remaining time to come away with the victory.
“It was a quick thinking moment,” said Krafchick. “I saw the lane and I took the shot.”
“Jordyn’s the type of kid, she’s not giving up no matter how tired she is,” added Kropp. “She wanted that ball, she went and got it and I know she wanted that last goal at the end. Just a kid who does everything you ask of her and she works hard for all the little things.”
Sophomore Sarah Vasko scored from distance with a little under three minutes left to give the Longhorns a 13-12 lead, their first since Vasko notched the game’s first tally.
“She’s awesome,” said Ricci. “You love having Sarah Vasko on the field. She was all over the place, not only in her own play, but for her teammates.”
Unionville tied the game on four different occasions, but only once were they able to go ahead.
“I think the draw was big on that,” said Kropp. “Izzie Mintz, Molly Bryan and a couple other of our girls did a great job of making it a 50/50 ball. Jordyn Krachick came in and picked up those balls.”
Rustin scored of three of the last four goals in the first quarter to jump out to a 4-2 lead after one.
Mary Kate Cawley (four goals) scored on a free position to knot the score at 5-5 with 6:48 left in the second. Then Rustin scored four straight, started by a give-and-go from Mintz, scoring from point blank after getting a pass from Ava Cappelli. Morgan Tryon cut the deficit to three as Unionville trailed, 9-6 at halftime.
The Longhorns started the third on fire, scoring three times in two minutes for a 9-9 tie. Vasko scored twice during the run. But, Rustin answered with tallies from Cappelli and Sammie McLaughlin to back on top, 11-9. The see saw tilted back to the Longhorns as Cawley dented the net twice to knot the game at 11-11 going into the fourth.
Rustin goalie Sarah Kiraly made four saves in net.
“I didn’t have my best game,” she said. “But my teammates picked me up.”
“One of the goals I set for out team after our last game was to win out,” added Kropp. “All of these games are completely winnable games. I think that’s a good goal for the girls to focus on. One game at a time.”
Unionville host National Division-leading Downingtown West on Thursday, while Rustin visits Oxford.
West Chester Rustin 14, Unionville 13
Unionville 2 4 5 2 — 13
WC Rustin 4 5 2 3 — 14
Unionville goals: Vasko 4, Cawley 4, Avondoli 2, Gutting, Tryon, West.
WC Rustin goals: Krafchick 7, McLaughlin 3, Capelli 2, Parkinson, Mintz.
Goalie saves: Watson (U0) 6; Kiraly (WCR) 4.
