La Salle heavy favorites in Class 3A
La Salle heavy favorites in Class 3A
The goal is a very simple one for La Salle lacrosse.
All the Explorers have eyes on is the one thing they didn’t get last year, a state title. With last year’s nemesis Springfield (Delco) in the new 2A bracket, La Salle looks like a favorite in the new 3A bracket.
They will start their state title quest against District I’s fifth and final entrant, SpringFord, at Plymouth Whitemarsh in Tuesday’s first round. After resounding wins in the PCL final and District 12 games last week, the Explorers head into the state tournament playing in top form.
With a loaded roster, the Explorers make it virtually impossible to defend one guy and they love to mix things up on attack to further frustrate defenses. Senior Brett Baskin is certainly a keystone player on attack, but if he’s covered, La Salle will just go to guys like Joey Taylor, Matt Clibanoff, Chris Hladzcuk and many, many others.
La Salle’s defense is also stout, anchored by Michael Clibanoff in goal, and defensemen Joseph Burnham and Luke Sabia. Faceoff man Anthony Giuliani is also a consistent factor winning the ball.
In 2A, a pair of PCL teams made the field. Lansdale Catholic finished third in the final PCL standings, a solid season for a program making plenty of strides the past few seasons. The Crusaders host Eastern
York, the third seed out of District 3 at the Germantown Supersite on Tuesday.
LC is led by a solid attack core of Michael Basilli, Ryan Flanegan and Grady Kelly while midfielder Nick Heiler more than held his own against some of the top faceoff men in the PCL. Goalie Bob Bausmann is a solid shot-stopper in net and not afraid to carry the ball up the field in transition.
Archbishop Wood faces a tough test in District I second seed West Chester Henderson in its first round game Tuesday at Harriton. The Vikings have shown plenty of resiliency with a handful of overtime wins this season and haven’t been afraid of a challenge.
Wood is led by attackman Rhys Vaughn, with Eric Bauer and Dakota Taylor anchoring the midfield and Matt Arcidiacono playing point on defense as a short-stick defensive mid. GIRLS >> Gwynedd Mercy Academy enters states on a two-game slide and will try for a fast start against District 12 top seed Cardinal O’Hara on Tuesday at Northeast High School.
The Monarchs will need the attack to be firing on all cylinders but more importantly, the midfield and defense will have to be active and force plenty of turnovers. GMA was outscored 27-8 in its last two games, so anything to help the defense out early will be huge.
Offensively, the Monarchs are led by seniors Hailey Durkin and Danielle Senour while midfielders Kendall Seifert and Emma Fiore help generate plenty of chances in transition.