May the force as Radnor solves Gwynedd Mercy

WORCESTER >> Even after months of planning and weeks of postseason tests, nothing will beat the cold reality of game-day action for setting any proper game plan.

Molly May was reminded of that early Saturday.

Her four goals in a 12-8 PIAA Class 2A girls lacrosse tournament victory over Gwynedd Mercy best explains how two-time defending champion Radnor advanced to the semifinals for the third year in a row.

Aware early that Monarchs goalie Sarah Holland was in no mood to surrender goals, May and the Raiders made a quick adjustment. The refreshed plan: Be precise, not reckless, with every precious shot.

“I was really focusing on faking and then shooting, and really focusing on getting the ball around the goalie, because she was really good at knowing where the ball was going,” May said. “I picked that up when we were shooting and she was saving it very easily. So I think moving and faking her really got the ball into the net.”

Directly, or with those tricky shooting techniques, the 19-5 Raiders earned a Tuesday neutral-site rematch with Villa Maria. The Hurricanes eliminated Radnor, 8-4, in the District 1 final.

Tori DiCarlo and Cate Cox each provided two goals and an assist for Radnor, which trailed, 7-6, early in the second half. Cat Belveal had a goal and an assist, and Annie Burton, Carleigh Goldstein and Ellie Mueller scored once apiece. Kate Hartnett had an assist.

For 20-5 Gwynedd Mercy, Kendall Seifert and Caroline Johnston each furnished two goals and an assist. Courtney Narkoff, who had an assist, scored, as did Peyton Palazzo, Lizzy Ferguson and Nicole Conwell.

Radnor’s Phoebe Proctor won the goaltending battle, making six saves. But Holland’s 11 saves kept Mercy involved deep into the second half on the soggy Methacton High surface.

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