Raiders erupt after halftime
Three players totaled three goals apiece. The Knights reached the final in their second year.
Radnor coach Phyllis Kilgour had a few things to say to her girls' lacrosse team at halftime last night. Whatever she said, it worked.
Outscoring Bayard Rustin by 9-3 after intermission, Radnor went on to earn a 15-11 victory for the District 1 Class AAA championship.
The triumph at Marple-Newtown's Harry R. Harvey Field marked the Red Raiders' first district title. It also marked the first time that Radnor (23-0) finished the season with an unblemished record.
The Golden Knights (17-3) reached the district final in the school's second year.
"I told them to just keep calm, keep chipping away and to settle down," Kilgour said of her halftime speech. "And I told them to run the plays."
The Red Raiders did that, and then some.
Senior midfielders Kelly Barnes and Gabby Miller scored three goals apiece along with sophomore attacker Courtney Campbell.
Barnes and Miller, both Georgetown recruits, scored two goals apiece in the decisive second half.
Miller's final goal gave Radnor a 10-9 advantage with 19 minutes, 20 seconds remaining. It was the Red Raiders' first lead, one they would not surrender. Barnes' last score made it a 15-10 contest with 10:12 remaining.
With a comfortable lead, Radnor slowed the tempo and ran out the clock.
Early on, nothing was comfortable for the Red Raiders.
Rustin had a commanding 5-0 lead 4:38 into the game. The Golden Eagles later led by 8-4 before the Red Raiders closed out the half with two goals.
It was all Radnor after intermission.
Bayard Rustin 8 3 - 11
Radnor 6 9 - 15
Goals: BR-Alison Tatios 4, Alyssa Gallen 2, Leanna Brewer 3, Morgan Holbrook 2. R-Courtney Campbell 3, Gabby Miller 3, Kelly Barnes 3, Samantha Ellis 2, Molly Early 2, Kelyn Freedman, Allie Martin.
Saves: BR-Kelsey Sward 11. R-Katie Geary 3.