Mt. Lebanon runner-up to Shady Side in boys lacrosse
By Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Aidan Conway hoists the WPIAL runner-up trophy after Mt. Lebanon lost its bid for a lacrosse title, falling to Shady Side Academy, 12-11, in overtime. Conway scored two goals in the loss.
Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Miles Halter is mobbed by teammates after scoring the fourth goal for Mt. Lebanon in the WPIAL Class 3A championship match. The Blue Devils dropped a 12-11 decision in overtime to Shady Side Academy.
By Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Mark Adametz (32) attempts to console John Porretta (36) after Mt. Lebanon’s 12-11 overtime loss to Shady Side Academy in the WPIAL Class 3A lacrosse championship match.
By Eleanor Bailey/The Almanac
Alex Tecza avoids being tripped up by a defender’s stick as he races down the field during WPIAL Class 3A championship lacrosse action. Mt. Lebanon lost to Shady Side Academy, 12-11, in overtime.
Aidan Conway did the unusual after Mt. Lebanon lost its bid for a WPIAL championship in boys lacrosse.
During the medal ceremony after a Blue Devils loss to rival Shady Side Academy, 12-11, in overtime, Conway proudly hoisted the runner-up trophy his fellow teammate wanted to discard.
“This means something to me,” he said.
With pain and despair in his voice, Conway continued.
“It did not turn out the way we wanted it to but I am really proud of all my teammates,” he said. “We worked really hard and we spend a lot of time together and became a family. I know we came up short but I still love all these guys. That’s why I am so proud of this.”
With 1:56 to play in regulation, Conway appeared to have scored the game-winning goal, off an assist from Gus Cramer.
The Bulldogs, however, rebounded. Fifty seconds later, Mac Mohn scored his fourth goal of the game.
At the 2:59 mark in the sudden-death overtime, J.P. Henry polished off the Blue Devils with the unassisted game-winning goal.
“Again, momentum is a fickle mistress,” Lebo coach Mike Ermer said, recalling an OT semifinal win two days prior against Peters Township.
“It’s tough,” he added. “Everything in lacrosse is earned. We battled all night but they got that one. They got us.”
The Bulldogs appeared to have had the Blue Devils when they raced to a 7-4 lead midway through the second stanza. Lebo though edged ahead, 8-7, by the 7:08 mark in the third.
During the scoring spree, Jack McCann scored twice, John Porretta had a goal and an assist and Miles Halter ignited the rally with his assisted-tally by Matthew Wertz.
Goals by McCann and Halter afforded Lebo a 10-9 advantage before SSA knotted the contest again with 3:26 left in the fourth quarter.
For the Blue Devils, Halter and McCann finished with hat tricks. Porretta and Conway supplied two goals each and Cramer racked up one tally.
Cramer, Porretta and Wertz each dished up two assists.
”It was an amazing game and I am so proud of this group,” Ermer said.
”We battled all game. It shows the character of these guys. It’s beyond reproach. They are high-caliber, high-character. They never quit and they play hard for each other.”
Ermer and Conway assured the Blue Devils (14-7) will continue to labor toward the goal of a state title. The quest begins May 31 when the PIAA tournament commences.”This one hurts a bit, especially in overtime, because they worked so hard,” Ermer said. “We will keep working hard.”
”Yes, we will,” said Conway, “and maybe we can get a state title.”