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RADNOR — An ailing lower back kept Radnor co-captain Michael Savadove from competing in the District 1 Class 3A tournament.
With the state playoffs commencing Tuesday night, Savadove received a clean bill of health just in time to enjoy one last ride with his teammates.
“Just getting back in the swing of things,” said Savadove with a smile. “It’s great to be back. The guys have done a great job filling in the role. I know there aren’t a lot of opportunities left. It’s senior year and I’m just trying to enjoy it.”
The Harvard-bound defenseman has had a memorable high school career as a three-sport athlete. Last month, Savadove was honored by the Delco Athletes Hall of Fame as the recipient of the Scarpignato Plumbing Outstanding Male Scholar Athlete Award.
“We know we’re on borrowed time, right? Just a couple of more practices left to ball with the guys,” he said “It’s a special feeling. We’re lucky enough to hopefully make a run and do it with my 40 best friends.”
Savadove helped Radnor, District 1’s third-place team, cruise to an 18-6 victory over District 3’s Hempfield in the first round.
Radnor will play District 7 runner-up North Allegheny in the quarterfinal round Saturday. North Allegheny claimed a 9-8 overtime win over District 3 champion Wilson.
Radnor (18-5) began its quest for a fourth consecutive PIAA title with a dominant performance. Finn Petrone found the back of the net 49 seconds into regulation, igniting a string of nine unanswered goals to start the night. Owen Smith scored four times, and Owen Knight supplied five assists as the Raptors led 9-1 after the opening quarter.
Savadove had the best seat in the house as Radnor’s attackmen and midfielders scorched Hempfield. The Raptors held a 15-1 lead at halftime.
“We knew they were a solid team, obviously,” Savadove said. “You can’t make states in this state without being a solid team. They’re good in all phases of the game, but we had to try to worry about us more than the other team. It doesn’t matter who we’re playing, it’s all about the 40 guys in the locker room and the six coaches.”
Smith paced the Raptors with five goals. Knight tallied seven assists. Harrison Holmes netted a hat trick, and Tucker Graham contributed two goals.
Logan Klinger and Jason Hilton led Hempfield (14-7) with two goals apiece.
