‘Stoga overpowers North Allegheny; advances to another state semifinal

LANCASTER >> The Conestoga boys’ lacrosse program is widely considered a state and regional powerhouse because the program has been competing and winning at the highest levels for many, many years. On Saturday in a PIAA 3A Quarterfinal, the Pioneers showed, once again, that the reputation is well deserved.

The sixth and final team from District 1 to qualify for states, Conestoga delivered a workmanlike performance in the blazing heat to top North Allegheny 8-3 and move on to the state semifinals. It was an impressive defensive effort by the Pioneers against the District 7 champs and the probably the best 3A program in Western Pennsylvania.

“I always tell our guys that the season is a marathon with three parts – regular, districts and states,” said ’Stoga head coach Brody Bush. “We’re lucky our team is playing its best lacrosse in June.”

Dating back to 2017, the Pioneers (16-6 overall) have now made it to the final four in four straight seasons, which is a testament to the program’s long-term excellence. And up next on Tuesday is Central League rival Radnor, who won the regular season meeting 11-7. A spot in the state final is at stake.

“(Radnor is) one of our biggest rivals,” said Conestoga goaltender Patrick Jameison, who is the team’s MVP and played lights out on Saturday.

“We know each other’s tendencies,” Bush added. “(Radnor is) a great team – they won our league and were undefeated. I’m just excited to get another shot at them.”

In a battle between two solid defenses anchored by a pair of outstanding keepers, the Pioneers used their superior depth to wear down the Tigers (13-5 overall). ’Stoga grabbed an early lead and never trailed, but North Allegheny’s stingy zone defense held the Pioneers scoreless for more than 23 minutes, allowing the Tigers to claw their way to within two, 5-3, heading into the final period.

“It was a great goalie battle. I was impressed with both,” Bush said.

“(North Alegheny) threw a zone at us, and that played to our ability to hold the ball, but at the same time it takes the wind out of things.”

The most important goal of the day came midway through the fourth when a shot by Joey Allen caught Tigers’ keeper Aidan Miller high on the shoulder, it bounced high into the air with backspin, then hit the ground and bounced backwards into the net.

“Hey, they all count the same,” Bush chuckled.

Conestoga proceeded to round it out with two more goals, including Patrick Reilly’s third tally of the day, and another off Reilly’s second assist.

“It was so hot, we were running so many people onto the field. But I think we have the deepest squad in the Central League, and that’s saying something,” said Reilly, a junior attacker.

“We had more guys than (North Allegheny) did and later in the game you could tell how fatigued they were,” Bush added. “That definitely played a role with the heat.”

The Pioneers opened the state tournament with a critical victory over District 1 (and league rival) Springfield (Delco), and they carried over the momentum. ’Stoga may not have had the regular season and district tournament it wanted, but it’s important to note that the team’s six losses have come against Inter-Ac powers Malvern Prep and Haverford School, and District 1 heavyweights Garnet Valley, Radnor, Kennett and Wissahickon – all of whom were still playing this weekend.

“We may be the lowest seed to come out of District 1, but that’s kind of put a chip on our shoulders,” said Jameison, who finished with 11 saves. “We know we are better than a lot of the teams above us. Beating Springfield (Delco) was huge for us, so coming into this game everyone was ready to play.

“Springfield was the first game we played a full four quarters.”

And Saturday made it two in a row. Reilly scored twice and assisted on another as the Pioneers went ahead 3-1 in the early going. Aiden Kelly made it 4-2, and then six seconds later, Ian Kim won the faceoff and scored to put Conestoga up by three at the half.

“We are finally putting full games together,” Bush said. “We struggled all season with that.

“Our defense has stepped up big-time. They are really coming together, and the key is communication. They are doing a great job of talking on the field and it’s made a big difference.”

It was important because the Pioneers did not score in the third period and surrendered a man-down goal, which cut the margin to 5-3 and set up the finish.

“We were communicating and playing super-aggressive,” Jameison pointed out. “Everyone was flying around, getting ground balls, and we really didn’t have any mental mistakes at all.”

When it was over and the team discovered that the next opponent will be Radnor, a big cheer went up in the Conestoga team huddle.

“We were very upset we didn’t win the district title, and now we are ready for Radnor,” Reilly said.

Conestoga 8, North Allegheny 3

North Allegheny                             1 1 1 0 — 3

Conestoga                                        2 3 0 3 — 8

Conestoga goals: Reilly 3, Austin, Allen, Kim, Kelly, Blatchford.

North Allegheny goals: Kress, Bordo, Eck.

Goalie saves: Miller (NA) 10; Jameison (C) 11.