District 1 Class 3A boys lacrosse: Radnor’s ‘every man’ approach pays dividends against Wissahickon
RADNOR — John Begier summed it up in convening the final huddle Saturday. Radnor’s 8-7 victory over Wissahickon in the District 1 Class 3A quarterfinals was about “every man” in that huddle, about the 35-player roster that Begier used just about every inch of against the Trojans.
Whether it was a depth middie providing the go-ahead goal, one of the litany of poles stifling Wissahickon’s last chance to tie or a goalie seldom called upon taking on a central role, Radnor flexed its depth to great effect.
“It takes all six of us to get to the net,” Tommy DeShan said. “It’s a really good team that we have.”
About DeShan: That team is so deep the midfielder is often deployed in the defensive end of the field. But in the fourth quarter Saturday, Radnor needed a new look. It hadn’t led yet and squandered many chances to take the lead.
Chris Begier they move on the crease. 8-6 Radnor pic.twitter.com/MKMhb6raJS
— Matthew De George (@sportsdoctormd) May 22, 2021
So Begier pointed to DeShan. And like his midfield partner Colin French, who scored twice, DeShan picked up the ball in the right alley, attacked his short-stick marker and potted a goal at 4:37 to play to make it 7-6.
It was Radnor’s first lead of the day, the only one it would need to book a semifinals date against No. 6 Springfield, which upended No. 3 Perkiomen Valley, 11-3.
“That play, I just saw an opening, and I took it,” DeShan said.
Chris Begier added a goal on a slick move on the crease with 2:22 left to make it 8-6, and while Jackson Intrieri pulled one back five seconds later, Radnor held off the Trojans’ final thrusts. The decisive play came courtesy of Will Gallagher, one of a rotation of eight reliable defenseman, picking off a pass with a minute left. From there, Radnor ran out the clock.
Radnor goalie Robert Hobbs came up with 13 saves, including four on a lengthy possession to start the fourth. He was beaten twice in the first quarter by long shots from Kyle Lehman, but the defense adjusted to that and Hobbs dialed in on the Trojans’ other threats.
“They’re an unbelievable defense,” Hobbs said. “They’re super deep. On this team, everyone is a one. It really shows when the guys come off the bench at the end of games, they play just as well as us, so it makes my job easy because they’re unbelievable.”
Scott Pfeiffer larceny on Drew Cox man up. Still 6-6 pic.twitter.com/uJcuoY0CYL
— Matthew De George (@sportsdoctormd) May 22, 2021
Saturday’s stats seemed to favor Wissahickon, which won 15 of 18 faceoffs thanks to Ohio State commit Matt Fritz, including 9-for-9 in the first. The Trojans got outstanding goaltending from Scott Pfeiffer, who made 12 saves, including a couple of show-stoppers. And they held Ryan Goldstein, Radnor’s attacking catalyst, without a point.
“I think we played some really good off-ball defense,” Pfeiffer said. “After the first quarter, we came out, we knew they were some good players, and they showed it, really shifty from the attack. We came out with some bad approaches but then we started getting into it, started playing some team defense that helped us keep it a close game.”
Wissahickon led 3-1 before French snuck the cage to halve the deficit after one quarter. Damien Ramondo scored twice in the second, once after getting checked down but retaining possession, the other on a behind-the-back shot.
The Trojans never trailed, yet Radnor could never surge ahead. Dean Wolfe scored twice in the third; French answered the first within 41 seconds, Charlie Bernicker the second within 46 to restore parity.
That’s when Hobbs and Radnor’s supporting cast had their moments in the spotlight.
“We all wish for these big moments,” Hobbs said. “We’ve been hoping for games like these all season. We’ve had them against a bunch of Central League teams. … It’s always fun to play in the tight games.”
