Kennett checks another box by edging ‘Stoga and advancing to semis
KENNETT SQUARE >> In the last 10 days, Kennett lacrosse is checking more boxes than a tax accountant.
It started with the program’s initial conference title, continued with an historic first-ever postseason victory, and then came Saturday’s tense and challenging 10-8 triumph over powerhouse Conestoga in the District 1 3A Quarterfinals. It not only powered the Blue Demons into the district semifinals, it also assured the program’s first appearance in the upcoming PIAA Playoffs.
“For anybody who ever questioned if we are for real, we showed that this team is for real,” said Kennett head coach Bob Allvord.
“We are checking those boxes. The district semifinals was the two games I always attended as a spectator, and now we are the ones in it. That is so special to this program.”
The top-seeded Demons improve to 19-0 and will play host to No. 4 Garnet Valley on Tuesday with a trip to the finals hanging in the balance. Kennett topped the Jaguars 15-7 late in the regular season, but the squad is learning that each postseason step is tougher than the last.
“You don’t get to this stage without understanding that the further you go, the tougher it gets,” Allvord said.
“Kennett is undefeated for a reason,” added ’Stoga head coach Brody Bush. “We have the utmost respect for them.”
Seeded eighth, the Pioneers fall to 13-5 and drop into the consolation bracket. They will play at No. 5 Downingtown West on Tuesday, and the winner will earn a berth into states. All five of Conestoga’s setbacks have come against heavyweight programs like Radnor, Malvern Prep and Haverford School.
“We’ve played the most difficult schedule there was out there, and it usually helps in the playoffs. But it didn’t help today,” Bush said.
The Demons got off to a quick start and never trailed. But they were pushed more than any other outing this season.
Trailing by two-goals, ’Stoga had six possessions in the final nine minutes of action and failed to score. Kennett goaltender Jason Astle made seven of his season-high 15 saves in the final period, including three in one last possession and two in another.
“We missed the net to many times,” Bush said. “To have close to 40 total shots and only have eight goals, that is not a good percentage.”
The Demons also needed some huge defensive takeaways from Vince Cresci and Sam Forte to close it out after the transition game seemed to run out of gas down the stretch.
“We gave them a lot of chances, didn’t we?” Allvord said. “We weathered another storm there late. But it’s a testament to our kids – they really dug deep tonight.
“Jason is a great keeper and I think he kind of wasn’t on anybody’s radar this season. But he is steadily shining through now.”
With two goals in the opening 1:22, it was a fabulous start for the Demons. Sophomore attacker Zach Hulme opened things with a man-up tally on the game’s first shot, and 28 seconds later he scored again on a rebound.
Additional man-up goals from Hulme and Evan Hartmann, and a great individual effort in front of the cage by Sam Forte helped put Kennett ahead 6-2 midway through the first half.
The margin was four heading into the final minute of the half, but the Pioneers’ Aiden Kelly scored with 20 seconds left, and then started the second half with two more. The senior midfielder’s natural hat trick sliced it to 7-6.
With momentum seemingly slipping away, this is when the Demons roared back, and senior Richie Hughson was at the center of it all. He assisted on a goal by Jake Freeberry, then won the ensuing faceoff and scored off a pass from teammate Evan Hartmann to make it 9-6 late in the third period.
“When it got closer, we just turn it up a notch,” Hulme said.
“We definitely dug deep when it got close,” Allvord agreed. “To get it back to a two-goal cushion makes it a whole lot easier to manage versus a one goal lead.”
The Pioneers kept up the pressure, however, with a goal by junior Patrick Reilly, and another from Joey Allen from behind the cage. Hulme provided an insurance goal off a pass from Forte, which set up the final nine minutes of action.
“This wins opens the door for us,” said Hulme, who finished with four goals.
“We have nothing to lose – we are going to keep going, and keep fighting.”
Freeberry and Hartmann each finished with two goals, and Forte chipped in a goal and three assists.
“That was as crazy of a lacrosse game that I’ve ever played in,” Astle said. “I would have loved to watch this game even if I wasn’t playing.
“I think this was the game where I was pushed the most. Eight is the most goals I’ve let in, but 15 is my highest save count. I think our defense came up so clutch at the end.”
Kelly paced Conestoga with three goals, Reilly added two, and junior Ian Kim had a goal and was 13 of 21 in the faceoff circle.
“Kennett got on us early and I felt like we were always battling from behind,” Bush said.
“We had too many penalties and nearly half of their first half goals were man-up.”
For Allvord, there was a huge sigh of relief at the conclusion of the match.
“We are a smaller school in 3A and the kids were a little gassed at the end, and turnovers happen when you’ve never been to this level before,” he said. “But we will learn from that.
“It doesn’t matter who the next opponent is, it’s just us versus whoever. I’m sure we’ll have it in the back of our heads that we played well against (Garnet Valley), so we can do it again. But we have the work ethic to get the job done.”
Kennett 10, Conestoga 8
Conestoga 2 2 3 1 — 8
Kennett 4 3 2 1 — 10
Conestoga goals: Kelly 3, Allen, Reilly 2, Kim, Brosso.
Kennett goals: Hulme 4, Forte, Hughson, Freeberry 2, Hartmann 2.
Goalie saves: Jameison (C) 11; Astle (K) 15.
