‘Old school’ Lachman scores four to get Garnet Valley to Final Four
LOWER MERION — Of all the abilities and assignments destined to be considered ancient in the ever-evolving art of lacrosse, the last would seem to have been the one perfected by Garnet Valley attackman Mitch Lachman.
His skill: Getting to the front of the net, shooting the ball, scoring.
Shoot.
Score.
Complicated?
“Old school,” said Jaguars coach Frank Urso Saturday.
Old school, new school, whatever school, Lachman bagged four goals Saturday at neutral-site Harriton and the Jags defeated St. Joseph’s Prep, 9-5. For that, they will board a school bus Tuesday and head to the PIAA Class 3A Final Four and play La Salle. The Explorers were 11-5 winners Saturday over Springfield.
“You used to have a crease attackman, somebody who stayed inside and played in there,” Urso said. “Today, with the speed of the game and the athleticism, all three guys rotate really well. But Mitch is a guy who we keep in there. And he does some good stuff.”
The Jags (20-4) needed to keep it basic Saturday against the rugged, defense-first Hawks. Though able to unload 33 shots, the Jags were often neutralized by Prep goalie Tommy McHugh, who made 10 saves.
For that, the accurate-shooting Lachman was ideal for the task.
“That’s who he is,” Urso said. “So we set up our offense to make sure that we are utilizing his strengths. We put him in spots. He knows how to get open. He works really well in open space. He knows how to finish. So we’re always looking for him.”
Among those doing the vigorous looking, and not just for Lachman, was Danny Bradley, who provided four assists and scored a goal. Making it worthwhile at the other end was Jags keeper Nick Van Horn, who supplied 14 saves and roamed far into the corner to corral a fourth-quarter loose ball, ending a possession, and, soon after, a season for the 14-10 Hawks.
The first indication that the game would be reduced to a test of strength came during a scoreless first quarter. But freshman Max Busenkell and Lachman sandwiched second-period goals around one from the Prep’s Anthony Schreder. Blake Heiligman answered Lachman’s goal for the Prep, but the Jags never lost the lead. Just the same, there was some tension after Justin Filak answered Busenkell’s second goal late in the first half forging a 3-3 tie. But with a second before intermission, Lachman scored from Jake Morin.
If that made him somewhat old-fashioned, Lachman was happy to accept the compliment.
“I think so,” he said. “A lot of people consider me an inside guy. When we have dodgers, like we do, I just like to find my inside space and let it rip.”
The intermission no impediment to the momentum, Morin scored 14 seconds into the second half and, 1:25 later, Lachman had a hat trick and the Jags had a 6-3 lead.
A Jack Winters goal kept the Prep in range, but with 4:40 left in the third, Lachman scored from the unselfish Bradley for a 7-4 lead.
“He’s phenomenal,” Lachman said. “He sees the field. He has eyes in the back of his head. That kid can see everybody, no matter where he is at. He’s dodging and can somehow see guys behind him and get it to them and they’ll finish. So he’s a great guy to have.”
After Scott O’Connor became the fifth Hawk to score an unassisted goal, Bradley scored from Busenkell with 40 seconds left in the third quarter to rebuild a three-goal Garnet Valley lead. In the fourth, he fed Sean Shoemaker for a goal and left the rest to Van Horn.
“He always plays well,” Urso said of Van Horn. “He’s one of the most valuable players on our team.”
In a game destined to be reduced to basics, that heightened the value of the senior keeper.
“They are a very good team,” Van Horn said. “I think we played very good, sound defense. We executed and we gave up shots that I could see. So it was all because of the defensive guys.”
Defenders defending. Attackmen attacking.
That simple?
“We knew they were a good team coming in,” Urso said. “We had to work hard.”
The Jags were tested, but survived to move within two victories of a state championship.
“We feel we are really playing complete games,” Van Horn said. “And I am looking forward to going all the way with my brothers.”
