Late surge powers Kennett past Bishop Shanahan

KENNETT SQUARE >> For a long time, very little was going Kennett’s way. And the misfortune was much more than just a three-goal deficit at the half of a key Ches-Mont boy’s lacrosse battle against visiting Bishop Shanahan.

The Blue Demons were shorthanded (down four starters) and were engaged in a clash that was being played at a tempo that favored its opponent. But Kennett kept on grinding, never panicked and eventually authored a 5-4 comeback victory Thursday, with the go-ahead goal coming with just over two minutes on the clock.

“Every game is a big one in the Ches-Mont, so getting another one is huge for us,” said senior attacker Jake Freebery, who had a hand in all five Demons’ goals.

“I was proud of our kids for battling,” added Kennett head coach Bob Allvord. “That’s what all good teams do.”

Now 6-1 in the league (8-2 overall), the Demons kept pace with frontrunners Downingtown West (7-0), West Chester Rustin (6-0) and Downingtown East (5-0 heading into a late game Thursday at Great Valley). Allvord’s squad has now won eight of the last nine.

“We’ve been battling all season and we hadn’t had a statement win — until now,” Freebery said.

For the Eagles (1-4, 6-4), it was a frustrating end to an afternoon where an awful lot went right. Shanahan entered the day ranked third in the District 1 2A power rankings, but its Ches-Mont schedule has been frontloaded and includes losses to foes with a combined league mark of 21-1.

“We did everything but win,” said Eagles’ head coach Jon Heisman. “That’s what we’ve been doing. We just haven’t found a way to finish the whole deal and play 48 minutes. Hopefully our time will come and we will win a couple of these.”

Trailing 4-3 but riding some momentum at the end of three quarters, Kennett first killed off a two-man disadvantage and then got the equalizer on a goal by Freebery with 6:48 remaining. And then, with overtime looming, the Demons put together a long, patient possession that finally ended when Freebery found teammate Cole Hulme, and the senior converted with 2:34 on the clock.

“Cole was a defensive midfielder, but he is starting now in our attack,” Allvord pointed out. “Going through what we are going through (injuries, illness), he’s taken on the challenge and got a huge goal for us.”

Without standout senior midfielder Colin Jung (illness), along with injured sophomore attacker Bo Freebery and junior midfielder Reagan Pelletier, Hulme joined the attack that also features his younger brother, and top scorer, Zach Hulme.

“Coach Allvord has been telling us to slow it down all season,” Freebery said. “We love to play fast but it can get a bit chaotic. We took our time on that possession and found a guy for the shot we wanted. (Shanahan) was really keying on Zach (Hulme), so it was a great play by Cole.”

In all, the Demons scored the final four goals in a row. In contrast, the Eagles dominated the opening half by scoring four in a row, and the first came when senior midfielder Colin McGrory weaved through several defenders and scored a shorthanded goal in the early minutes of the second quarter to knot the score at 1-1.

Shanahan then broke it open by notching three more tallies in the span of less than two minutes to go into the break in front 4-1. Sophomore Devin Mullen registered the first and third, and senior John Corcoran the second. And most impressive: the Eagles limited the dangerous Kennett attack to just two shots on goal.

“It’s frustrating because we had things where we wanted it. It leaves a bad taste in our mouth,” Heisman said.

“Our coaches have preached all season to bend but don’t break,” Freebery added. “We knew our plays were going to be there but we had to get in a rhythm and finish.”

A key sequence that set up the finish came when the Demons scored two goals in the final 64 seconds of the third period. On the first, Freebery scored unassisted from behind the cage, followed by his pass and shot by Zach Hulme that just beat the buzzer.

Freebery finished with two goals and three assists, and Zach Hulme had two goals.

“Kudos to Jake (Freebery) and Zach (Hulme), those guys figured it out and finding a way to make it happen,” Allvord said.

“Having Jake is like having another coach on the field. He is so level headed and his (lacrosse) IQ is off the charts. He just holds it all together. He’s one of the better kids I’ve coached.”

Shanahan had a slight edge in face offs (6-5), and sophomore goaltender Bradley Gallahan was sharp, particularly in the second half.

“We only gave up five, but (Kennett) scored the last four,” Heisman said. “We didn’t do anything (offensively) in the second half. (Kennett) had the ball most of the time in the half and our guys got tired on defense. And they made us pay.”

Kennett 5, Bishop Shanahan 4

Bishop Shanahan                            0 4 0 0 — 4

Kennett                                             1 0 2 2 — 5

Bishop Shanahan goals: Mullen 2, Corcoran, McGrory.

Kennett goals: Freebery 2, Z. Hulme 2, C. Hulme.

Goalie saves: Gallahan (BS) 7; Hrabal (K) 5.