NA’s Playoff Run Ends In PIAA Quarterfinal Loss to Radford
Appearing in the PIAA Class 3A quarterfinals for the third time in program history, the North Allegheny boys’ lacrosse team traveled to Mechanicsburg to face off against three-time reigning state champion Radnor. Entering the contest with a streak of 13 consecutive PIAA playoff victories, the second longest in state history, the Raptors won their 14th in a row by a 13-4 decision over the Tigers at John H. Frederick Field.
North Allegheny wanted to start the game fast against the No. 2-ranked team in the state and did just that when senior All-American Evan Lyon scored with 5:22 left in the first quarter for a 1-0 lead. Just over a minute later, Radnor responded with a goal by Villanova University commit Kessy Cox to knot the score at 1-1. Senior Nate Lucchesi, a University of Pennsylvania commit, scored with only 1:22 remaining in the opening stanza to give the Raptors a 2-1 advantage.
The Tigers hung tough with the Raptors in the first period and did so with a patient offensive approach and stellar goaltending from junior Logan Lyle. The St. John’s University recruit made 17 saves to keep the Tigers within striking distance. Junior defenseman Colman Craft totaled three ground balls and three takeaways to help spark the Tigers.
Despite a strong start, costly turnovers and short possessions allowed Radnor to control the clock for most of the second quarter. The Raptors outscored the Tigers, 3-1, in the second period to take a 5-2 lead into halftime. NA’s lone goal of the period was scored by sophomore Nick Sichak.
Starting the third quarter with a man-up, Radnor senior Owen Knight scored six seconds into the half and senior Tucker Graham tickled the twine just 52 seconds later for a 7-2 lead. The quick-strike back-to-back goals gave the Raptors decided momentum for the remainder of the game. Radnor outscored NA, 6-1, in the third period for an 11-3 advantage.
Radnor slowed the pace in the fourth period and scored two more times for a 13-3 lead with 4:27 remaining. Knight led the way for the Raptors with a game-high four goals, followed by Lucchesi with a hat trick. Graham and Cox finished with two goals each. Senior Harrison Holmes and junior Tyler Vitale chipped in with one goal apiece.
North Allegheny ended the season on a high note with a goal by Sichak with 1:07 remaining to bring the final score to 13-4, Radnor. Lyon and Sichak each finished with two goals each. Lyon, an RIT commit, closed out the season with a team-leading 66 goals. Sichak ends the campaign with 59 goals, the second most on the squad.
The North Allegheny senior class was named the Wright Automotive Players of the Game for a terrific four years as members of the boys’ lacrosse team.
Following the loss, North Allegheny ends the year with a 15-8 record, while Radnor improves to 19-5 and advances to the PIAA Class 3A semifinals. It was another impressive year for North Allegheny, who started the season 0-5 and won 15 of their next 17 games to reach the WPIAL finals and PIAA quarterfinals. Congratulations to head coach John Rullan and the entire North Allegheny boys’ lacrosse team for a memorable 2024 season.
BOYS LACROSSE SUMMARY VS. RADNOR, 6-8-24
| SCORE BY QUARTERS | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | FINAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Radnor | 2 | 3 | 6 | 2 | 13 |
| North Allegheny | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 |