Excited Civitella helps Radnor roll again

UPPER CHICHESTER — Barb Civitella could not wait to get into the game and play defense in the final four minutes of Radnor’s 7-0 victory over Springfield Tuesday at the MSI Sports Village.

She was so excited that she jumped up and down a few times as she waited for Hope Delaney to come off the field so she could sub on.

This wasn’t her first appearance in the game, far from it. The Duke-bound senior played a good portion of the contest at center midfield, where she dished out an assist to help the Raiders (9-0, 6-0 Central) remain in a first-place tie with Garnet Valley. But this was different. This was a chance for her to play a completely different position.

“I love being on the field, and anytime I get to try something new and challenge myself, I get really excited to do it,” Civitella said. “… This year is a very big growing year for me. I’m trying to improve myself as much as I can before college so I’m trying to challenge myself in new ways.”

Civitella’s boundless energy and considerable skill set were on full display against the Cougars (7-2-1, 4-2). Although she was not credited with an assist, Civitella’s relentless play led to Brigid Lowry’s goal that broke a scoreless tie. Later in the game, Civitella set up Haley Kemp to give the Raiders a 5-0 advantage.

“It’s a lot of fun to play with her and to be around her,” said Lowry, who also had an assist on Radnor’s second goal. “She always keeps us energized.”

It took 16 minutes for the Raiders to find the back of the cage. A lot of that had to do with the Springfield defense and goalie Nora Larkin, who came up big time and again.

“My goalie had 19 saves,” Springfield coach Hope Taylor-Scott said. “She worked really hard, and so did our defense. But (Radnor’s) stick skills are unbelievable so we knew it was going to be a challenge.”

Radnor’s skill eventually took over. After Lowry, Genevieve Mehra and Cierra Hopson scored to give Radnor a 4-0 advantage at the break. Senior Maggie Rosoff tallied twice, and Kemp and Piper Markowitz closed out the scoring.

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Merion Mercy’s Olivia Knott, left, tries to slow Radnor’s Barbara Civitella in the District 1 Class 2A field hockey playoff game won by Merion Mercy. (Pete Bannan/Digital First Media)