By: Alec Eskin
The boys and girls lacrosse teams have both been playing some very good lacrosse as of late. Both teams have advanced to the 3A state semifinal rounds in each of their brackets. The boys team has been the number five seed from District One and the girls team has been the three seed. They have both had games where they dominated, and some that were close.
The boys lacrosse team had a very close game against the PCL champion LaSalle Explorers, who were the number one seed from District 12. The Jaguars were able to pull off a massive upset in a 7-6 win at LaSalle. They got a great, collective offensive effort from the offense with Max Busenkell, Luke Mingoni, Ryan Nealon, and Joey Halloran getting one goal apiece and Andrew Goldt getting a hat trick. Also, Andrew Keaveney might have had his best game of the year, making seven saves against a very powerful Explorer offense. This was a huge win for this team and one that could be argued and the best win of the year for the boys lacrosse team.
Against Cumberland Valley, the number two seed from District Three, the Jaguars had a more comfortable win, winning by a final score of 11-5. The Jaguars got up 6-0 early in the first half and did not look back. Again, another collective effort on offense by the Jaguars as they kept the ball in their end of the field for the majority of the first half. On the defensive end, they had another outstanding game only allowing five goals and only one in the first half.
The girls lacrosse team started off the PIAA state playoffs with a bang also, beating Governor Mifflin 24-6. Governor Mifflin was the number two seed from District Three, who just came off a 19-7 loss to Manhiem Township. The Jaguars dominated on both end of the field as Kaitlyn Stankavage got her 100th goal of her Garnet Valley career. This was Garnet Valley’s largest margin of victory this year, beating Governor Mifflin by 18 points.
The next game was an all timer against Owen J. Roberts, the number five seed from District One. They advanced on forfeit due to Philadelphia schools being closed for heat on the day of the first round. This was the third time these teams would face each other. OJR won the first game at Garnet Valley in the regular season, winning by a final score of 7-3. Then, Garnet Valley won at OJR in the District One quarterfinals by a final score of 6-5. This game would again be decided by one goal. Garnet Valley got off to a great offensive start, getting up by as many as four with 12:43 left to go in the second half. Then, OJR went on a 4-0 run to end the second half, tying up the game at nine with 50 seconds left to go in regulation. The game turned into a defensive affair, lasting three overtimes before the game was decided. This game would go to the Jaguars on a Mia Raucci goal with eight second left to go in the 3rd overtime period to send Garnet Valley to the state semifinal game. This was a tough, gritty effort by this team after facing adversity.
Both the girls and boys lacrosse teams will be playing at Springfield, with the girls team playing against the District One Champion Conestoga Pioneers at 2:00 PM. Garnet Valley lost to Conestoga at Conestoga early in the year 11-9. Then, the boys lacrosse team will play Saint Joe’s Prep at 4:00 PM. The Jaguars lost to the Prep in the season opener in overtime by a final score of 7-6. Both these rematch games are being played with much higher stakes involved. This should make for two close games in the PIAA 3A State Semifinal doubleheader.
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