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Rally High School Sports

McGugan's OT goal lifts Springfield

The junior's tally off a rebound gave the Cougars their first Cup title since 2001.

As Springfield players celebrate Billy McGugan's OT game-winner, Unionville goalie Christopher Sutera reacts. It was the Cougars' first Flyers Cup title since 2001.
As Springfield players celebrate Billy McGugan's OT game-winner, Unionville goalie Christopher Sutera reacts. It was the Cougars' first Flyers Cup title since 2001.Read moreRON TARVER / Staff Photographer
    by Don Beideman, Inquirer Staff Writer
    Published 

Junior Billy McGugan's rebound goal with 3 minutes, 24 seconds to go in overtime gave Springfield (Delaware County) a 3-2 win over Unionville on Friday night for the Cougars' first Flyers Cup championship since 2001.

McGugan, who had been the Cougars' leading scorer with seven goals in their first three Flyers Cup Class A games, was held scoreless in regulation.

But he managed to get a shot past Unionville goalie Christopher Sutera two minutes after the Indians thought they had scored the winning goal. The officials disallowed it.

"That was a big one," McGugan said of his goal. "We just had to keep working the puck. We knew we couldn't stop. We had to get those rebounds."

The Cougars, the No. 4 seed for the Cup tournament, lost to West Chester Rustin in the title game last season. They will meet the Penguins Cup winner for the state championship later this month at Ice Line in West Chester, site of Springfield's Friday night victory.

Unionville was the fourth seed. Both teams entered the title game with three wins in the tournament.

"We told the kids to keep it simple," Springfield coach Phil Eastman said after the game. "We've been trying to do that all year. In so many cases, the other team was better than us, at least on paper. It's been a great year."

Freshman Ryan Brawley, one of a long line of Brawleys who have played for Springfield, scored the other two goals for the Cougars.

Unionville hasn't won the Class A Flyers Cup since 1995.

After a scoreless first period in which Unionville outshot Springfield, 11-5, the Cougars got the game's first goal with 14:16 left in the second period. Brawley took a pass from Dave Allen for the goal.

Unionville appeared to have the winner when Mike Ladyard seemed to put the puck in the net with about seven minutes to go in overtime, but it was nullified.

"It was clearly a goal. Their goalie touched it," Unionville coach Bill Hammond said. "We didn't get any bounces tonight."

Springfield 0 1 1 1 – 3

Unionville 0 1 1 0 – 2

Goals: S-Ryan Brawley 2, Billy McGugan; U-Zachary Emerson, Conor Donze.

Saves: S-Mike Rice 24; U-Christopher Sutera 36.