For The Dialog
WILMINGTON – The top-ranked boys lacrosse team in Delaware hosted the eighth-ranked team in the nation on May 14, and Salesianum fell to Malvern Prep (Pa.), 19-9.
The Friars jumped on the Sals early, scoring the first two goals for a quick lead. The teams then began trading goals. Garrett Cannon got the Sals on the board on a powerful shot to the upper corner of the net. Malvern scored, but Salesianum answered with a Nickolas Bramble goal on a man-up situation. Cannon scored his second, and Salesianum ended the first quarter down, 4-3.
It was all Malvern in the second quarter, as they scored early and often, outscoring the Sals, 5-0. Salesianum was getting beat on faceoffs all day, and the Friars kept the pressure on in the third. Malvern controlled the ball most of the quarter, and despite Sals goals from Brett Hobbs and Taylor Witherell, the Friars led, 17-5, heading into the final 12 minutes.
The Sals did get four goals in the final stanza, including the hat trick goal for Cannon, and two from Luke Bianchino. Salesianum finished the regular season 12-3 and will likely be the top seed when the state playoff bracket is announced on May 22. The tournament begins on May 24.
