PIAA Class 3A Girls Lacrosse: Raucci’s 3OT game-winner sends Garnet Valley to semis despite epic Owen J. Roberts comeback

ROSEMONT >> It was a game that left both sides deservedly teary-eyed.

One could argue neither Garnet Valley nor Owen J. Roberts deserved to feel the sting of a season-ending loss. At the end of a three-overtime contest in the PIAA Class 3A quarterfinals, however, one side cried tears of joy while the other felt a crushing blow.

Garnet Valley’s Mia Raucci made sure her squad was the one celebrating through their waterworks.

Raucci scored with seven seconds left in the third overtime off an assist from Maddie Shoemaker to give the Jaguars a 10-9 win and advance them to Tuesday’s state semifinal against Conestoga.

“I knew from the beginning we had the ‘W’ but it felt amazing,” Raucci said. “After three overtimes, they’re (OJR) a great team. I’m just so proud of our team.”

Garnet Valley wound the clock for one shot in the extra period, but it never came as the Wildcats’ defense swarmed on the final play attempt. OJR goalie Korrigan Sweeney made a phenomenal stop at the end of the second OT to keep the Wildcats’ hopes alive.

With time winding down in the final overtime period, Garnet Valley coach Jenny Dooley called ‘Cash.’ Raucci made her cut and received a pass from Maddie Shoemaker before taking about two steps and firing in the top right corner for the game-winner.

“We’re really good with our cuts I think, and Maddie Shoemaker, she’s a great feeder,” Raucci said. “She just hit me and it was there.”

“I couldn’t even believe it,” Garnet Valley’s Sophie Kingsborough said. “It felt like a shock. I just wanted to hug her as hard as I could. It was an amazing feeling.”

At the 12:43 mark of Saturday’s state quarterfinal, three extra periods and a game-winning goal seemed unlikely. The Jaguars led 9-5 after a goal by Mia Zebley.

Owen J. Roberts had a rally fall just short in a 6-5 district quarterfinal loss to the Jaguars on May 21. This time the Wildcats battled all the way back.

Colby Wasson cut the lead to 9-6 with 8:44 left after Alexa Vogelman caused a turnover.

Ava Clemson pulled OJR within two, 9-7, less than two minutes later. Blakely Doyle scored another with 6:53 to go to make it a 9-8 game and the pressure was on.

The Wildcats saw a shot go off the post and three or four other chances end in turnovers before Clemson completed the comeback by scoring with 50 seconds left in regulation.

The Jaguars won the ensuing draw control, but Gabbi Koury forced a turnover to send the game into overtime.

“That’s who they are,” OJR coach David Schlesinger said of the comeback. “It’s who they are as athletes, as people. They’re incredibly tough-minded, talented, wonderful kids.”

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