By Teddy Bailey (@TheTeddyBailey)
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 5/25/16
For Upper Dublin, Tuesday’s District 1 semifinal was all about avenging one of its two regular season losses.
Jack Rapine
The Cardinals (19-2) were able to do just that, routing Springfield-Delco, 9-2, behind six points from All-American attackman Michael Sowers and four second-half goals by senior midfielder Evan Scott. Upper Dublin will face Avon Grove in the District 1 Championship Thursday at West Chester Henderson at 4 p.m.
The Cougars (15-7) will meet Strath Haven in the third-lace game Thursday at Penncrest at 4:30 p.m.
“It’s really cool,” Sowers said. “It’s something we’ve worked for all year. Just to be here is awesome, but to do it with your best friends is even cooler.”
The Cougars, who will face fellow Central League foe Strath Haven in the third-place game Thursday at Penncrest, trailed 3-2 at halftime — Springfield’s Mike Gerzabek and Mike Vent scored the only goals in the second frame to erase a 3-0 Upper Dublin start.
But it was a 6-0 second half for the Cardinals to pull away, who were powered by four unanswered goals from Scott to end the game.
The defensive duo of senior defenders Jack Rapine and Rocky Wright, including sophomore goalie Dillon Lojeski, shut down the high-powered Cougar attack of Gerzabek, Vent, Jack Spence and Kyle Long. Spence, who tallied five points in Springfield’s quarterfinal win against Spring-Ford, was held pointless.
“We have to give credit to Dillon,” Rapine said. “He’s been playing out of his mind the last couple of games. Rocky has been stepping it up, played Matt Moore of Garnet Valley in the quarterfinals.”
Rapine missed the previous meeting with Springfield, only adding extra motivation to help his team reach the district final for the first time in school history.
“It was the first time I had seen them,” Rapine said. “This was kind of a revenge game for me. This was a big game for me, honestly. It was great to only give up two goals. I can’t wait for the opportunity to win that next game.”
UD: 3 0 3 3 – 9
SF: 0 2 0 0 – 2
Upper Dublin:
Evan Scott: 4G
Michael Sowers: 2G, 3A
Nick Vernacchio: 2G
Connor Wall: 1A
Dillon Lojeski: 9 saves
Springfield-Delco
Mike Gerzabek: 1G
Mike Vent: 1G
Kyle Long: 1A
James Spence: 9 saves