PIAA BOYS LACROSSE: Scranton Prep falls in 2A quarterfinals

EMMAUS — After falling behind by eight goals to the reigning two-time state champion, Scranton Prep refused to throw in the towel.

The Cavaliers scored four unanswered goals to close the third quarter and created an entirely different game in the second half.

Despite that third-quarter flurry from Scranton Prep, District 1 champion Marple Newtown defeated the Cavaliers, 17-6, in a PIAA Class 2A boys lacrosse quarterfinal Saturday at Emmaus High School. Still, the performance promoted future optimism for a program that won its first state playoff game just days earlier.

“We were two different teams,” Scranton Prep head coach Keith Toolan said. “I’m proud of the kids. They never quit.”

The first quarter came up all Marple Newtown.

Ryan Keating got the scoring started 40 seconds into the game, before netting another goal with 9:55 remaining in the quarter.

Evan Kostack followed up, scoring three uninterrupted goals to bring Marple Newtown’s lead to 5-0. With 1:50 left, Jude Jelus tacked on a goal and the Tigers led, 6-0, during the first-quarter intermission.

“(Marple Newtown) is very disciplined with their off ball movement. They’re always moving,” Toolan said. “They got some Division I talent that is hard to account for.

“Us sticking around, it was pretty good to see.”

Brian Box extended Marple Newtown’s lead to seven goals with 9:23 left in the first half. Nine seconds later, Kostack added the team’s eighth goal.

The Cavaliers finally broke onto the scoreboard, when senior Grady Toolan capitalized on a series of Marple Newtown turnovers and scored an unassisted goal, with 6:56 remaining in the half.

Scranton Prep used the momentum to string together a series of threatening possessions, but was ultimately unable to recover much of the ground previously lost. Kostack scored his fifth goal, assisted by brother Jace Kostack, and Marple Newtown entered halftime with a 9-1 edge.

Fortunes started to turn for the Cavaliers in the third quarter.

After allowing three unanswered goals — two from Evan Kostack and one from Box — Scranton Prep finally got its offense into a rhythm.

Mackey Lynett gave the Cavaliers a shot of energy, scoring with 3:45 remaining in the third quarter. The junior netted another goal less than two minutes later, assisted by senior Brady Holmes.

Scranton Prep kept the pressure on through the final minute, adding two more goals to its total: one scored by sophomore Braedon McPartland with 51 seconds left and the other completing Lynett’s hat trick bid with six seconds left.

“The third quarter started with good ball movement and winning the faceoffs,” Toolan said. “We focused up a little bit better that third quarter. Turnovers went down. Some ground balls went our way. We woke up.”

Though they secured their first quarter win, the Cavaliers still trailed, 12-5. Only now, unlike their previous deficits, they had juice.

Brett Wolski won the fourth quarter’s opening faceoff, taking it downfield himself and scoring just seven seconds into the quarter. The Tigers led, 13-5, until Holmes responded with an unassisted goal with 10:59 left in the game. Scranton Prep cut its deficit back to seven goals.

Marple Newtown quelled the rally attempt, scoring four times the rest of the way. Keating notched his third and fourth goals of the game, while Evan Kostack scored his eighth and Augie Bruder got his first.

Marple Newtown advanced to the Class 2A semifinals, seeking its fourth consecutive state final berth. With a Tuesday, the Tigers would be one game away from their third straight state championship as well.

On the other sideline, Saturday’s loss marked the final game for 13 Scranton Prep seniors. Although the Cavaliers still believe there is unfinished business in the PIAA tournament, the program has indisputably progressed.

“The seniors kind of changed the culture of the program here,” Toolan said. “For them, it’s special because they were kids we coached from third grade all the way up.

“They built the program, and the work they put in shows a lot. … Hopefully next year, we get to the next level.”

MN 6 3 3 5 — 17

SP 0 1 4 1 — 6

MN — Goals: E.Kostack 8, Keating 4, Box 2, Jelus, Wolski, Bruder; Assists: J.Kostack 2, E.Kostack 2, Fingo 2, Box, Keating; Saves: D’Alicandro 6; SP — Goals: Lynett 3, Toolan, McPartland, Holmes; Assists: Holmes; Saves: Stallman 13.