By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 3/24/17
La Salle coach Bill Leahy admitted he found few flaws in his team’s opening-day 10-5 win over host Springside Chestnut Hill Academy today.
Brett Baskin
“We were happy with a lot,” said Leahy, now in her 26th season with a record of 451-103. “It was a very surgical approach, it was low scoring on defense, we were slow on our offensive possessions, and we were making the most of our opportunities. It was intelligent lacrosse with a high shooting percentage. That’s how we like to play lacrosse.”
The Explorers were state finalists last year and are a pre-season contender for the first PIAA Class AAA title. They looked the part today against a Springside CHA squad that is 0-3, but looks to contend in the Inter-Ac League with a loaded schedule.
Senior Brett Baskin (Johns Hopkins) collected five goals and an assist and Michael Clibanoff (2018 Ohio State commit) posted 13 saves while 2017 Anthony Giuliani (Penn) won 12 of 18 faceoffs.
La Salle took a 4-1 halftime lead and stretched it to 6-1 before the Devils sandwiched goals by Jack Lamb and Zach Messerle (two goals, one assist) around Baskin’s third to pull within 7-3 late in the third period.
But Matt Clibanoff (2018 Ohio State commit, two goals, one assist) made it 8-3 and Baskin added two more.
“I thought we played well today; our mindset was to outwork our opponent and I think we did that today,” said Baskin. “My teammates made it really easy. I put myself in good spots and I finished when I had the opportunities.”
Devils coach Mike DelGrande said his team has the talent to compete with top programs, but has not yet gaiend consistency.
“For us right now, it’s a lot of the little things – fundamentals – passing and catching,” he said. “We have too many unforced errors. On defense we don’t have the two in place so when they go by the first guy we’re not sliding.
“On the offensive end we have sets we run but they’re not running the sets properly. We do it in practice but we have to transfer it to the games. I put the schedule together knowing the record is not a concern – getting them ready for league plays is the concern.”
La Salle 10, Springside Chestnut Hill Academy 5
La Salle 3-1-3-3- 10
Springside CHA 1-0-2-2 – 5
La Salle
Brett Baskin 5g, 1a
Chris Hladczuk 1g, 1a
Matt Clibanoff 2g, 1a
Ethan Massucci 1g, 1a
Ethan LaMond 1a
Joey Taylor 2a
Greg Pinto 1g
Anthony Giuliani 12 of 18 FO
Michael Clibanoff 13 saves
SCHA
Mac McLaughlin 1a
Matt Bown 1g, 1a
Zach Messerle 2g, 1a
Jack Lamb 1g
CJ Sweitzer 1g, 1a
Bern Popky 6 saves
Delaney Sweitzer 3 saves