Boys Lacrosse: Springfield, Strath Haven proving they belong in state semis

LOWER MERION >> Mike Gerzabek hasn’t had time to count the games over the months. But the number doesn’t come as a surprise. When the Springfield senior takes the field at Penncrest Tuesday night for a PIAA boys lacrosse semifinal contest against Strath Haven, it’ll be his 73rd game wearing the blue and gold script “S” in 2015-16. Tuesday marks game No. 26 of the lacrosse season, adding to the 23 appearances as the goalie for a boys soccer team that made the PIAA Class AAA semis and 24 on a hockey squad that played for the Flyers Cup Class A crown. All told, Gerzabek’s teams have won 55 games, a healthy .764 winning percentage. But Gerzabek doesn’t have time to reminisce just yet, not with more history potentially around the corner.

“I keep looking forward,” Gerzabek said. “I can’t look back yet.”

The tantalizing matchup of Central League rivals is plenty to look forward to. It’s the third time the teams have hooked up this season. Haven (19-6) took advantage of Springfield’s sluggish start in a 7-5 win, April 5, which seems like a lifetime — or two lacrosse seasons — ago. Springfield (18-7) gained a modicum of revenge in the District One third-place game, springing a fourth-quarter comeback for a 5-4 win on a Nick Martin goal with six seconds to play on the Penncrest turf 12 days ago.

Both teams enter with credible chip-on-their-shoulder mentalities. Springfield, the 10th seed in the District One tournament, will be wearing home jerseys for the first time since May 17, it’s district opener. The Cougars started the season 1-5, losing their first three Central League contests.

Yet the 2015 District One champions find themselves in the state semis for a second straight season, hoping to atone for being routed by another Central foe, Radnor, 12-5, last year at Haverford.

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Springfield’s Mike Gerzabek reacts after one of his three first-half goals in a 7-6 Cougars win over Avon Grove in the PIAA quarterfinals Saturday. (Digital First Media/Anne Neborak)