La Salle Defeats Barrington, 8-4, Advances to Boys’ D-I Lacrosse Title Game
Thursday, May 31, 2012
The Rams have reached the championship game three times since 2008, but have yet to win the final game of the season, despite a 55-3 regular season record in that time.
La Salle is looking to capture its first state championship in school history
Head coach Steve O’Donnell isn’t going to change his approach this year, however.
“I’m going to look at it the same way,” he said. “I’m not going to do anything different. I’m just going to watch [the second semifinal between] Moses Brown and Hendricken, take some notes and develop our gameplan.”
“It feels absolutely wonderful to have gotten to this point,” O’Donnell said. “I’d love to win [the championship] but if these guys don’t win another game this year, they’ve already won. And I mean that sincerely.”
Brady O’Donnell scored 2 goals and added 3 assists for the Rams, who remained undefeated at 14-0.
“It’s a little bit of a surprise for us to still be undefeated,” said senior Ryan Gallogly. “We lost so many kids from last year, but we’ve come together as a family, and I think this is the best team we’ve ever had.”
LaSalle lost All-Americans Ryan Poirer and Cody O’Donnell to graduation last season.
O’Donnell gave much of the credit for the victory to goalie Matt Andrews, who stopped 12 of the 16 shots he faced.
“Our goalie was fantastic tonight. I thought he was the difference in the game,” O’Donnell said.
Andrews made two key saves in the fourth quarter to quell a Barrington surge and keep the Rams lead at 8-4.
Senior midfielder Dan Lucchetti added a goal, and Sam Ricci picked up two assists for the Rams.
“It feels great to get back to the championship,” Lucchetti said. “We had to focus more this year as a team with no superstars. But we’ve worked more as a team. To lose two of the top leading scorers and get back here, it’s rewarding to do that.”
La Salle will meet either Moses Brown or Bishop Hendricken in the championship game, which is set for June 3 at Rhode Island College.
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