Upper Dublin advanced to the District 1 2A title game with a 10-5 win over Strath Haven. Photos provided courtesy of Liam Perlmutter/Hatboro-Horsham HS.
District 1 2A semifinal
#2 Upper Dublin 10, #7 Strath Haven 5
It is mission accomplished for the Upper Dublin lacrosse team.
Granted, there’s still plenty of work to be done, but in one memorable evening, the Cardinals effectively erased the disappointment of last year’s loss in the District 1 2A semifinal and not only
earned a spot in Wednesday’s district title game but also guaranteed themselves a coveted berth in the state tournament.
“There’s no feeling quite like going to a district championship,” UD senior Jacob Reif said of a journey that began in earnest after the Cardinals fell to Marple Newtown (8-6) in last year’s district semifinal. “That game set the tone and gave everyone an idea of what kind of team we want to be.
“We lost in this round last year, but that really didn’t scare us. I think just the preparation – our goal was to obviously – if we didn’t see Marple – get past this round and make it back to the state tournament.”
Sparked the by five-point game of Nate Brown, the Cardinals took an early lead and doubled up the Panthers in Wednesday’s district semifinal.
“I really thought it was a collective team effort,” UD coach Pat Lacon said. “I think it’s really exciting for our guys and for the program. We haven’t been to a district championship for 10 years, and the last time was 2016.
“I also think it’s exciting because going through the different stages of growing pains and being able to overcome the different challenges, both individual and unit challenges. Being able to keep plugging forward and using that as a springboard to really embrace and enjoy the journey that we’re on. “
It’s a journey – according to Reif – that reached a turning point after UD’s 12-8 loss to 
Downingtown East in mid-April. The SOL American Conference champs have won seven straight since that loss.
“Everyone wants to raise hardware – that’s everyone’s goal, but we all have to take it one game at a time,” Reif said. “I think that’s what we’ve really been able to focus on ever since we lost to Downingtown East.
“I think we all shifted to like – ‘Okay, we really have to focus if we want to make a long run.’”
The Cardinals’ journey had been especially significant for Reif and his fellow seniors.
“This means everything,” the UD defenseman said. “Seeing such a talented group of seniors last year lose in this round and being able to fill that role – this is a brand new defense.
“We graduated our whole defense, and for us to be able to step up with a senior-heavy defense again is just unbelievable, and it’s so awesome to see. This is the first time we’re going back to the district championship in 10 years, so to put that into perspective with all the teams before us and how good they were, so to be able to do this for our senior year – it’s super special because I’ve watched four years of this and us losing in the playoffs, and to now quality for states and being able to have a chance to win a district championship – it just means everything., and I know the guys are so pumped up. It’s pretty awesome.”
By the numbers: Upper Dublin: Tristen McNichol (2G), Michael Pileggi (1A), Ryan Bond (1G), Chase Foster (1G, 1A), Matthew Shohen (3G), Nate Brown (3G, 2A), Vinny Afflisio (5 F/O wins), Ben Shervin (8 Saves_
Coach Pat Lacon:
--The game: “I thought both teams did a good job of trying to gain possession and control 
possession with both teams battling for momentum and flow and the groove of the game. That’s where we were able to take a 2-0 lead, and we were kind of able to hold onto that momentum.
“We were able to overcome some of the challenges and ebbs and flows that come from a game like this. We had to focus on what was important, and what was important was our mission and making sure that we were playing the best foundational lacrosse that we could because as we started to get into a groove, that’s what we relied on is hitting singles and running through all of our sets and falling back on our training.”
Upper Dublin senior Jacob Reif:
--The key to success: “Our offense has been exploding lately, and we were held to 10 today, but in our past games, we’ve been above 15 almost every single game, and our defense has been unbelievable, and I think that all starts with the coaching.
“Coach Lacon’s message during the offseason was just – ‘Look, we have a mission, and we just have to take it one game at a time.’ Where we are now is because of his message to take it one game at a time.”
-Up next: Upper Dublin will face #4 Penncrest in Wednesday’s District 1 2A title game at Haverford High School (5pm).
“Like every other Central League team, they’re going to have a style of play, and they’re going to be tough,” Lacon said. “We’re looking forward to the opportunity.”
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