Central Bucks East upsets La Salle in lacrosse
The Patriots knocked off the nationally ranked Explorers in a state quarterfinal.
It was the type of goal that portended success for Central Bucks East during the Patriots' stirring 8-6 upset of nationally ranked La Salle in a PIAA Class 3A quarterfinal Saturday at Methacton.
La Salle, the No. 6 team in the nation (USAToday), had exploded to an early 3-1 advantage before the Patriots took the lead in the third frame.
The Explorers had earned a modicum of momentum when Chris Hladczuk got La Salle within 5-4 with 3 minutes, 38 seconds left in the quarter.
CB East senior attacker Ryan Brown, however, changed everything with a desperation heave from about 25 yards away that escaped La Salle goalie Michael Clibanoff with one second left.
"I didn't think I was going to get that one," said Brown. "It's like a half-court shot in basketball. I just prayed, and it went in. I think that was a tide-turner in the game. We were all like, 'We're still in this. They're just like all the teams we've played!' "
"I kind of took this awful sidearm shot and I didn't even see it go in, I just heard everyone yelling on the sidelines," added Brown, who hit the turf after firing the off-balance shot.
On Tuesday, the Patriots will face another test in Avon Grove, which dominated Garnet Valley, 10-5, in Saturday's Game 2 at Methacton.
The Patriots (18-5) certainly weren't intimidated by La Salle (21-2), which hadn't lost since March 31 against Hill Academy from Ontario, Canada.
Brown, who will play at Salisbury University, led the team with three goals. Chris Hladczuk also led the Explorers with three goals.
"Give credit to that La Salle defense," Brown said. "They did a heck of a job. They've done a heck of a job all year. But I couldn't have gotten those goals without the rest of my middies and attackers."
Fellow senior Alec Bracken netted the Patriots' first two tallies, while junior Ryan Bullotta also added two, including the game-tying goal with just 7 seconds left in the half.
Defensively, the Patriots appeared the more aggressive, more physical, and more imposing group. The unit's tenacity, coupled with stellar goaltending by sophomore Liam Rosenthal (11 saves), helped East build an 8-4 edge with 8 minutes, 31 seconds left.
"The guys came up big today," Brown said. "The defense played outstanding. Rosy made some great saves. Brian McIntosh played some great defense. We got it done at the end, so I'm just proud of everyone."
All week, Brown said the team preached that the sum of its parts was good enough to beat a national power.
"The game plan was just to win," Brown said. "They have kids going to Maryland, Johns Hopkins, Navy, but we're a team. We've got guys busting their chops out there getting every ground ball and taking every shot. Yeah, they have the stars, but together we're a big star, so we're taking that [mentality] into Tuesday."
C.B. East 1 2 3 2 - 8
La Salle 3 0 1 2 - 6
CB: Alec Bracken 2, Ryan Bullotta 2, Ryan Brown 3, Brant Billingsly.
LS: Chris Mockaitis, Chris Hladczuk 3, Brett Baskin, Ethan LaMond.
Saves: CB - Liam Rosenthal 11; LS - Michael Clibanoff 9.
