SPRINGFIELD – David Keller’s job assignment Tuesday was not for the faint of heart.
Springfield was approaching its District 1 Class 3A quarterfinal against Downingtown East without the services of leading attackman Brad Barber due to a knee injury. They would be facing East’s zone defense, notoriously stingy and rigorously technical.
But it leaves a weak spot for those who dare to find it: In the center of the six-man ring, provided you can thread passes into the space, catch and finish quickly and be willing to absorb the physical price for getting into the greasiest of areas.
Keller was willing, and his two goals helped spark a 12-3 romp for the top-seeded Cougars, who make states and advance to Thursday’s district semifinal.
Keller was one of the players tasked with helping pick up the slack from Barber, in a very specific way.
“With Brad out, we’ve been seeing zone this year a lot,” he said. “The middle of the field is always where it is when we get the ball moving and the defense rotates. … Just having your stick up, always moving, getting the defense’s head moving. Even if you’re not going to get the ball, it’s still helping someone else out.”
Keller and Ty Henderson both flashed into the middle to create chances, though most of Henderson’s hat trick came on his customary rips from the wing. AJ Clark got into that space to create, tallying a goal and two assists.
Patrick Flaherty set up a pair of goals in the first half but finished with three assists, as the East defense shaded toward the Maryland signee. Henderson and Luke Valerio, dodging from up top, filled in to exploit their matchups. Valerio finished with three goals and two assists. Evan DiBlasi had a goal and an assist.
The game was tied at 2 early in the second quarter after an impressive catch in traffic and backhanded shot from Keegan Kropp for his second goal. He would add the third goal for No. 7 East (15-5) in the fourth quarter.
But Springfield (18-1) controlled the game. It held East without a shot for the 10:39 left in the second quarter after Kropp’s goal, then to just three in the third quarter. Springfield rattled off nine straight goals in that time. Tommy Rush went 13-for-19 on faceoffs, the possession magnified given both team’s defensive reputations.
“Having a guy like Tommy Rush in the middle, you can always count on him get a big win,” Valerio said. “And the guys on the wings know Tommy wins the clamp a lot, and it’s their job to get the ground ball. I think Tommy plays a huge role in our success on the offensive end.”
Springfield’s defense, led by Billy Henderson and Brian Delaney, was typically stifling, including an assist from Tom Toomey to Valerio in transition. And East’s defense is not designed for playing from behind, with Springfield able to milk the clock around the edges of a packed-in unit. Brady Quinn was great in goal with nine saves, but that wasn’t enough to keep Springfield from make its fourth straight appearance in the district semifinals.
Delco will have three of the four semifinalists, with Springfield to take on fourth-seeded Pennridge.
Ridley 16, Downingtown West 9 >> Chris Capozzoli scored five goals, and Brody Bair paired two goals with four assists as the No. 11 Green Raiders pulled an upset on the No. 3 seed to reach the program’s first PIAA tournament since 2011.
Jon Daniels and John Tinney scored three times each, Daniels adding an assist. Hunter Farren was 21-for-28 on faceoffs, and Colin Wintrode made 15 saves.
Radnor 10, Rustin 3 >> Finn Petrone scored six times as Radnor blew open a game that was tied at 2 after one quarter, the second seed booking a date with Ridley.
Sawyer Smith dished five assists. Tommy Goldstein paired two goals with two assists. Logan Montrella went 12-for-15 on draws to go with two assists, and Teddy Curry turned aside 12 shots.
In Class 2A:
Marple Newtown 8, Upper Dublin 6 >> The two-time reigning PIAA Class 2A champion will get a chance to defend that title, with the second-seeded Tigers into the final and into states.
Brian Box and Jace Kostack scored twice each. Evan Kostack and Ryan Keating had a goal and an assist each. Marco D’Alicandro made seven saves. Marple scored three times in the third quarter to win a game that was tied at the end of each quarter.
