Springfield dispatches rival Ridley behind O’Brien, Gormley

SPRINGFIELD >> Over the years, the Springfield and Ridley athletic teams have had an interesting — and sometimes intense — rivalry.

The girls lacrosse players from both schools might not have had that fact on their minds for their Central League meeting this week, but there were some interesting facts that could support the idea that when the Cougars and Green Raiders get together, things can happen.

Springfield (11-1 , 6-1 Central League) got the best of Ridley (6-5, 2-5), 14-7, in a game which began Tuesday, was stopped in the first minute of the second half because of a thunderstorm, and concluded Wednesday afternoon at Halderman Field.

“They always play us tough,” Springfield head coach Keith Broome said. “We went over there last year and were the better team, but we only won by one goal.”

The Cougars were leading, 12-4, after 39 seconds of the second half when the officials called a halt to play Tuesday afternoon. The Green Raiders, who have lost five of six games after a 5-0 start, scored the first two goals after play resumed Wednesday and had another goal disallowed because of an illegal stick.

“We were a completely different team (Wednesday),” first-year Ridley head coach Jill Davis said. “I’m proud as can be at how we came out to play here today.”

Haley Adam and Emily Johnston got the Green Raiders’ first two goals in the first six minutes of the second half, and Johnston set up Adam for another goal five minutes later. Brooke Nasella scored three times in the first half for Ridley, and goalie Lauren O’Brien turned away 10 shots.

Sophomore Olivia Little, who had a goal and an assist for Springfield Tuesday, added another goal and an assist Wednesday. Junior Bridget Whitaker, who scored twice in the first half, completed her hat trick on an assist by Little with seven minutes to play. The Cougars then used their speed, stick skills and passing ability to work a good portion of the remaining time off the clock.

Senior Cailyn Gormley and junior Bailey O’Brien scored four goals Tuesday for Springfield, which has lost only to Central League leader Conestoga. Springfield and Radnor will get together in a key Central League contest Friday afternoon.

“We’ve been moving the ball, passing it well and playing a team game,” Broome said. “We’ve been able to count on all seven of our attack players, and we’ve gotten a lot of assists on our goals.”

O’Brien’s father, Rob O’Brien, has seen the Springfield-Ridley rivalry from both sides. A former Springfield athlete, he once was the athletic trainer at Ridley. Jim Bollinger, Springfield’s athletic trainer, is a former Ridley player. His father, Jim, is a member of the Green Raiders’ coaching staff.

“I’m not really old enough to remember much about when he was at Ridley,” Coastal Carolina commit Bailey O’Brien said of her father.

“We were happy to get a good start in this game (Tuesday). We stayed in it after the first delay, but it was tougher the second time. We’ve learned to understand each other, and we’ve worked on a lot of plays at practice and are getting better with them.”

Gormley, who will play next spring at Bloomsburg University, is the younger sister of Aly Gormley, who helped Springfield to the 2014 PIAA final.

“We know that we have players who can score,” she said. “So we work the ball around because we know (opposing teams) can’t just try to stop one player.”

Whitaker, a freshman when she played a key role in the 2014 team’s playoff success, will head to Temple following graduation in 2017.

“We’ve been close as a team,” Whitaker said. “Everyone is excited to play and looks forward to game days. Today it was different trying to come back a day later and continue this game, but after they scored a couple times we started to get it back.

“Now we’ve got to get ready to play at Radnor. That’s a game we want to do well in if we’re going to be ready for the playoffs.”

Elsewhere in the Central League:

Garnet Valley 25, Marple Newtown 9 >> The Jaguars took complete control after halftime, when they held a 12-5 advantage.

Leading the way was All-Delco Emily Mathewson with 12 points (five goals, seven assists). Madi O’Brien added four goals and two assists for the two-time defending PIAA champions.

Kamryn McNeal finished with three goals and four assists, while Cam Faith chipped in with a hat trick.

Kristen Rutecki led Marple Newtown with three goals, and Julia Lynch, Megan Lynch and Becca Ritchie scored twice apiece.

In the Catholic League:

Cardinal O’Hara 17, Little Flower 10 >> Erin Grady tossed in five goals to go with two assists and Molly Grady contributed three goals for the Lions (7-5, 6-2). Marie Noon made 12 saves to earn the win.

In the Ches-Mont League:

Sun Valley 13, Oxford 6 >> Sami Bowen powered the Vanguards to victory with seven goals and five caused turnovers. Anna Brown chipped in a hat trick.

In nonleague action:

Chichester 14, Bonner & Prendergast 13 >> Maura Murray scored the winning goal in the waning minutes of regulation off a pass from Alyssa Clausen.

Murray led all players with seven goals, while Clausen and Hayley Fritz each registered a hat trick for the Eagles.