In clash of styles, Garnet Valley wins out over Springfield
SPRINGFIELD — The clash of styles in a back-and-forth first half Tuesday afternoon was obvious.
On one side, Garnet Valley’s preference was clear: To push the ball, quickly but carefully, and let their high-powered offense try to mount lengthy runs. Springfield’s approach was more deliberate, prizing long possessions and prudent shot selection.
Both teams knew that executing their plan well enough would undermine their opponents’ approach. Garnet Valley was the one that put the principle into practice.
The Jaguars’ ruthless attacking efficiency produced eight second-half goals, running away from top-seeded Springfield in a 13-7 win in the District 1 Class 3A semifinal.
The win books No. 4 Garnet Valley (17-3) a second straight trip to the District 1 final. Again, it’s Conestoga awaiting them after the No. 2 Pioneers handled No. 6 Radnor, 11-6. The final Thursday at West Chester Henderson (6 p.m.) is a rematch of last year’s 5-4 win for the then 15th-seeded Jags.
“We always want to strike first, so we want to make them play our game,” attackman Mitch Lachman said. “If we’re running the ball, they really can’t hold it. If we’re scoring goal after goal, they can’t play their game. We force them to rush the ball a little more. It definitely helps when we come out strong and get an early lead.”
The Jags didn’t exactly strike first, but they certainly struck most often, never trailing after Lachman and faceoff man Adam Oldrati scored within six seconds of each other midway through the first quarter. They held a slim 5-4 edge at halftime, but a 4-1 margin in the third put the game beyond reach.
When the Jaguars are firing as Tuesday, they simply pummel teams into submission, even one with the defensive reputation of Springfield (18-3). The Cougars were missing top defender Pat Clemens, as they have been for the last month, but Tuesday marked just the second time they’ve surrendered double-figure goals this year.
Mitch Lachman a little btb. Just filthy. 10-5 Garnet. pic.twitter.com/fP0uAVjvDk
— Matthew De George (@sportsdoctormd) May 21, 2019
Garnet’s ball movement was lethal. Jake Morin set the carousel in motion with four goals and three assists. Lachman buried a hat trick. Sean Shoemaker added two goals and a helper, and Hunter Baar chipped a goal and two assists.
Morin scored three times in the first half. Midway through the third, he set up Shoemaker for the Jags’ eighth tally, then added the ninth with three minutes to play in the third in transition from Baar.
PHOTO GALLERY: Garnet Valley vs. Springfield
“He gets a step on anybody, it’s pretty much a goal or an assist,” Lachman said of Morin. “It’s great to have him out there. He’s good with both hands, good either way, nobody really knows what way he’s going to go, and we always find a way to put it in the back of the net after that.”
That was all that the Garnet Valley defense needed. Nick Van Horn was stellar again, making nine saves. Five came in a second quarter where Springfield held a 13-6 shots edge, but the Jags kept the lead at one.
Bishop Barnes a shot that goes through the net. Refs confer, give the goal (correct call I believe). 7-5 GV. pic.twitter.com/lYjnurQmok
— Matthew De George (@sportsdoctormd) May 21, 2019
“I know my defense always has me,” Van Horn said. “They give up good shots. (Springfield) is a great offense, but today we just had a great game. Obviously we put a few more up than them, but I know my guys have got me.”
Garnet opted for the tactic of locking Springfield’s Jack Spence early, and doing so with a pole instead of the customary short-stick, a sign of respect for the Central League MVP midfielder’s ability. That tactic, executed faithfully by Aidan Berry, and the energy Spence expended on the defensive end, left him uncharacteristically quiet with just one assist.
“I just looked him right in the eyes the whole game,” Berry said. “I knew my defense had my back and my goalkeeper Nick Van Horn has been great all year. He’s saving everything from 10 yards out, so our goal was to keep them to outside shots, protect the middle.”
Without Spence, the balance fell apart for Springfield. Colin Hopkins scored twice in the first half, and Aidan Shandley tallied twice in the second, but they rarely sustained momentum.
Even when they got big goals – like a Jimmy Donegan save that turned into a Jack Clark goal with 0.5 seconds showing on the first-quarter clock, or Aidan Smith’s man-up goal with 18 ticks left in the first half to get within one – the Garnet defense prevented it from snowballing. The Jags conceded three man-up goals, but they relented precious little defending six-v-six.
“It’s difficult because we have to value our possessions and we have to choose when to shoot and when to not,” Hopkins said. “So it was difficult because they were pushing transition and we were just trying to stay calm under all the pressure.”
The Jags’ calm entitled them to a little fun late, whether it was a Bishop Barnes goal in the third that fizzled through the net before being ruled a goal, or Lachman unleashing a behind-the-back marker for the second game in a row.
And it lets the quest for another title continue.
“One of our coaches told us, ‘rewrite history,’” Van Horn said. “So that’s what we’re going to do.”
Aidan Smith from Jack Spence man up. Springfield within 5-4. 18 ticks to half. pic.twitter.com/CgLSxHiHsg
— Matthew De George (@sportsdoctormd) May 21, 2019
