Novia shines as Rams advance

Since breaking training camp, Spring-Ford head coach Kevin Donnelly has been a man on a quest.

After an undefeated regular season, a Pioneer Athletic Conference championship, and opening round win in the the PIAA District One playoffs, Donnelly’s quarry still eluded him.

On Thursday night, the Rams finally gave Donnelly what he had been searching for: a complete game.

“We finally played for 48 minutes,” said Donnelly after Spring-Ford's 8-6 road win over Garnet Valley. “We showed it at times this year, and I knew we were capable of it. Tonight is the most complete game we have played in as long as I can remember as coach.”

Spring-Ford, which improved to 19-2 overall, utilized a stifling defense and a five point night from senior Drew Thomas to end the Jaguars' season on the soggy turf of Garnet Valley’s Morris ”Moe” DeFrank Stadium.

Following the Rams' 10-9 victory over Upper Dublin on Tuesday night, goaltender Jared Novia was not in a celebrating mood. The generally loquacious senior declined a postgame interview and the postgame festivities for a moment of reflection.

“I wasn’t very happy with my effort the other night,” said Novia. “I went to work yesterday at practice, and believe me when I say that practice helps. I came in here tonight completely focused.”

Novia put his team on his back as the Rams took the opening faceoff against Central Conference powerhouse Garnet Valley, stopping two point blank shots in the opening minutes.

With the game still scoreless and 9:53 remaining in the opening period, the Jaguars turned the ball over. Novia brought it up from the center line and found himself all alone in front of Garnet Valley goaltender Mitch Rose. Novia snapped off a shot that beat Rose to give the Rams a one-goal lead.

“Coach has a rule,” said Novia. “As a goalie, you can shoot until you miss. Well, I guess I’m shooting 100 percent, and I get to shoot again. It was so cool to get a goal. They were locking off all the way down the field and I had actually just worked myself in too tight and really had no other option but to shoot.”

Zach Manzo scored a goal with 2:35 remaining in the frame to post Spring-Ford to a 2-0 edge. Following a Garnet Valley goal, Drew Thomas, who has become a scoring machine in the post season, scored with four seconds left in the first to put Spring-Ford up, 3-1.

“I don’t know what’s going on.” said Thomas. “I have just really been focused and continue to work on putting the ball in the net. I guess a lot of it has to with thinking that every game can be my last game wearing this jersey and I don’t want to look back and think I have left anything out on the field. Our defense and Jared deserve the credit tonight. They played awesome.”

The Rams defense, led by Bjorn Ullman, Drew Hunsberger, Ian Hare, and Novia (17 saves, 10 in the first half) frustrated the Jaguars attackers all night, forcing them to settle for low percentage, bad angle shots.

“We threw one of our unconventional defenses at them,” said Ullman. “We call it Penn Stay, where we let them do what ever they want in the back. Ian Hare just shadows the crease and covers anyone who dodges from it, and they really didn’t seem like they were looking to dodge.”

Garnet Valley (15-5), which led for less than forty seconds, got four goals from their playmaker, junior Jules Raucci, three of which helped the home squad head into the intermission tied at four. Novia, though, continued to slam the door on Raucci’s linemates: senior and Air Force Academy recruit Alex Warden and senior Steve Smyrl.

“Jared was amazing tonight. He is such a great goalie,” added Ullman. “There are times when the other team takes a shot and I don’t even look back, I just know that Jared’s got that.”

The Jaguars had been averaging 14 goals per game in their last seven by being physical in the defensive zone, but Spring-Ford used its team speed to limit their scoring chances.

The "Four Horsemen"  (as Manzo, Bock, Major and Thomas have come to be called) raised eyebrows with their speed. As they cycled the ball, they elicited comments from coaches, college scouts, and even the home team press box crew.

“Wow, they're fast,” commented the Jaguars' public address announcer. “I can’t get over how quick they are to the net. Where is Spring-Ford, are they a big school?"

After last night’s effort, you can bet that "Spring-Ford lacrosse" has been punched into a few Google searches today.

“A lot of teams don’t even know who we are,” said Thomas. “I love adversity. Most of these teams have never played a team from the PAC-10. We can only take advantage of that get off to a good start like tonight.”

Spring-Ford dominated the second half, with Thomas and company finding the net four times and possessing a two-goal lead for all but a minute and a half of playing time after the intermission.

The Rams are now in uncharted waters. They have ventured farther in the District One playoffs than any previous Spring-Ford lacrosse squad. Their next game will be at a neutral site on Saturday against Downingtown West, who defeated Unionville 13-5.

A win Saturday qualifies the Rams for a PIAA State tournament appearance. A loss would drop them into the consolation bracket to compete for a fifth place district finish, which would also land them a state berth.

“I was more anxious the other day," said Novia. “I had to relax yesterday. Practice counts and it really helped my confidence. When you play a well-coached, disciplined team like that and win, it will help us as we move on.”

“We will get back to work tomorrow,” added Donnelly. “We earned another game, so we are going to get ready to play and hopefully get to the next round. I am very proud of our guys tonight. They left it all out on the field.”

Spring-Ford            3            1            2            2            -8

Garnet Valley            1            3            1            1            -6

First period scoring

9:53-    SF            Novia

2:35-    SF             Manzo from Bock

2:29-    GV            Urso

  :42-    SF            Thomas form Major

Second period

8:17     GV            Urso from Smyrl

6:31     GV            Raucci, J

1:30     GV            Raucci, J from Smyrl

  :51     SF            Bock from Pham

Third period

 6:27    SF            Thomas from Manzo

 5:55    GV            Raucci, J

 2:39    SF            Manzo from Ranheim, J

Fourth period

 8:43    SF            Thomas from Major

 5:35    GV            Raucci, J

 4:19    SF            Thomas

Goaltending Saves- Novia-16,  Rose –5,  Thomas-3