(CONTINUED)

 

    After Springfield sandwiched second-quarter goals from Keegan and Kelly (one goal, two assists) around Josh Fox’s mark for Lower Merion, the score was 8-2 at the half.
    The scoring came at a reduced rate after the intermission, with much of the credit going to the disruptive Springfield defense, led by Matt Maccario.
    Maccario was a force with the ball on the ground and Joe Addona, Ryan O’Shea, and Brendan Nave followed his lead. Defense middies Sean Saylor, Billy McCullough, and Drew Krauter were also integral to limiting the Aces to just five shots on goal through three quarters.
    “He’s one of those kids who’s even-keeled all the time and just goes so hard,” Friel said of Maccorio. “All of those guys (defenders) are able to play, so we go by a rule where you run until you’re tired, go off and get another guy until you’re ready to get back in.”
    Cavanaugh accounted for the only two goals of the third quarter, as his man-up bouncer 40 seconds in and his score on a dodge from behind eight minutes later stretched the lead to 10-2 and closed the door for any Lower Merion comeback.
    The fourth included several spectacular saves by sophomore goalie Austin Kaut, who made five of his eight stops in the final frame. Arrell closed out the Cougars’ scoring with 1 minute, 48 seconds left in the game before Wilks and Wolf finally got shots past Kaut in the final 12 seconds.