Mt. Lebanon lacrosse future bright
Mt. Lebanon lacrosse glimpsed the future when the Blue Devils participated in the PIAA Class AAA playoffs.
On June 10, the Blue Devils opened up a 5-3 lead against powerhouse Springfield in a quarterfinal game played at Frederick Field in Memorial Park in Mechanicsburg. Though Lebo lost, 15-8, the squad hung with the District I champion, a champion that went on to compete in the PIAA finals this weekend against Radnor.
“We made some noise,” said Lebo coach Mike Ermer. “We got on a roll.”
That wave could continue into 2024.
Although the 2023 campaign ended in defeat, the Blue Devils finished 19-4 overall, and they return eight starters.
“I really like what we have coming back next year and I’m excited about our prospects,” Ermer said. “We have young guys stepping up.”
Miles Halter, Joseph Hetz and Andrew Hyland return as All-WPIAL performers. Halter also garnered All-America recognition.
“Those are the big guns,” Ermer said. “The guys that get their names in the paper but we have a lot of other guys.”
The loss of Sam Myers to graduation creates a big hole for the Blue Devils, however. Myers was a four-year letter winner and two-year starter in goal. He gained All-America honors this spring. He matriculates to the University of Pittsburgh in the fall.
“Sam was a steady presence,” Ermer said. “He’s one of the best I’ve ever had in goal. Special on and off the field.”
Myers anchored a defense that had little or no playing experience before this season. Eventually the unit evolved and the Blue Devils were able to capture their first WPIAL title in eight years.
“The whole team came together at the right time. We started well but there was a segment of the season where we weren’t playing our best against the best opponents. We played some bad lacrosse against good teams. We peaked at the right time though.”
In addition to Meyer, Lebo graduated: Nathan Sala, Devin Prettyman, Colton Cramer, Alexander Kraemer, Brady Westbrook, Frank Tinnemeyer, Joseph Gulish and Tyler Harpst.
In addition to Halter, the junior class features: John Estabrook, Bernard McAuley, Brandon Green, Quinn Lynam, Samuel Szefi, Sullivan Kish, Aiden Ritchey, Luke Prezioso, Fred LaSota, Liam Campbell, John Schraven, Jonas Wells, Zane Zeidler and Conner Ribstein.
Hyland and Hetz were sophomores. Other 10th graders moving up include: Keegan Green, Edward Hickton, Donald Wagner, Brady Lockwich, Benjamin Stroh, Nicholas Zundel, Mason Prettyman, Tyler Pirain, Rory Diven and Parker Westbrook.
Freshman on the varsity roster included: John Poggi, Cole Gibbons, Alexander Fair, Kyle Quigley, Benton Thompson, Maxim Prezioso, Aidan Carlstrom, Samuel McAuley, Andrew Pinilla, Grayson Beck, Zachary Lynam, Riley Wagner, Michael Skocik, Coltyn Whalen, Kristopher Kambitsis, Cooper Whalen, and Pierce Conrardy.
SF falls
South Fayette dropped out of the PIAA Class AA playoffs in the quarterfinal round, falling to Lampeter-Strasburg, 13-11, in a game played June 10 at Penn State University. The Lions finished the season at 19-2 overall. Their only other loss was to Mars in the WPIAL final. The Planets competed in the PIAA finals this weekend for the third year in a row.
Dom Oliastro led the Lions’ attack. He racked up seven goals, four in the fourth quarter and two in the third as the Lions narrowed a 9-2 halftime disadvantage.
Drew Welhorsky, Owen Makar, Spence Hondru and Owen Makar supplied the other tallies for the Lions, who fell behind, 7-2, after the first period.
PT nets 4
Peters Township placed four players on the All-WPIAL Class AAA team. Among them were: Chase Cooley on the attack; Mark Logan and Micah Moser on defense; as well as Riley Grudi at midfield. Jake Bow gained WPIAL Coach of the Year laurels.
During the spring season, the Indians captured a section banner with an undefeated record and entered the playoffs as the No. 1 seed. They lost to Shady Side Academy, 19-7, in the WPIAL Class AAA semifinals and finished the year at 16-4 overall.