READING - One game won’t define a season for Northwestern.

But it will certainly add another important chapter to what has been one of the biggest success stories in boys lacrosse.

The 2023 campaign was a step forward for the Tigers, one that saw them capture the program’s first District 11 title and earn a state playoff victory.

While Northwestern’s postseason run came to an end in a 19-7 loss to West Chester Rustin in the quarterfinals of the PIAA Class 2A tournament Saturday, the Tigers showed why their persistence has been rewarded with performance since their first season in 2019.

“It’s special. It’s a special group to be a part of,” said Northwestern coach Marcus Janda. “I was just telling these guys, I’ve been involved with the game for almost 30 years, playing it, coaching it, and I can’t think of a more special year, a more special group to have been a part of. It’s that monumental what these guys have been able to accomplish.

“This game, who wants to end their season with a loss. The fact is, every single team does, unless you’re the state champion. And there’s only four teams that are going to be continuing their season at the 2A level. I’ll tell you what, I’m not going to leave here with my head hung down at all. These guys are an incredible group and they accomplished a lot. It’s just special to be a small part of it.”

West Chester (18-5) struck for two goals in the first three minutes of the contest at Exeter Township High School, but the Tigers battled back, with Cade Christopher finding the back of the net with 5:57 left in the first period to make it 2-1.

Rustin pushed the advantage to 4-1 after a score from Antonio Santangelo and the second goal of the period by Marek Seaman.

Following a Northwestern timeout, Austin Sosnovik scored off an assist from Devon Hildebrand. Christopher’s second goal of the period with 42.2 seconds left on an assist from Sosnovik trimmed the deficit to 4-3.

But Seaman struck with 19.8 left in the period to give West Chester a two-goal advantage, and that momentum carried into the second when Jake Jackson scored 30 seconds in to make it 6-3.

Cody Hallock scored for the Tigers (15-7) less than a minute later on an assist from Christopher, but Rustin would close the period with five unanswered goals to take an 11-4 lead into halftime.

West Chester scored the first four goals of the third period to push its advantage to 15-4 and used a balanced attack throughout, with Seaman, Jackson and Santangelo each scoring five goals in the contest.

“The game plan was just kind of to be ourselves,” said Rustin head coach Kevin Philibin, whose team is also making its first appearance in the state tournament this year. “At this point in the season, we know who we are, we know the offenses we’re running, and the defense.

“A couple years back, we were in a position that (Northwestern is) in. Where we had a good starting lineup and just didn’t necessarily have the depth. We just knew that if we played four quarters it was going to be tough for them to hang with us on a hot day like this - because they don’t have the depth to match us. But I’m very impressed with what they’ve done in the four years that they’ve been a program.”

Christopher added two more goals – one in the third to stop the West Chester run and make it 15-5 – and another in the final seconds of the game. Sosnovik also scored in the fourth on an assist from Hildebrand.

“Every team at this stage of the game has earned their right to be here,” said Janda. “And it’s going to be tough. And yeah, there are going to be teams that are more talented, more experienced than us. The one thing that I know we have is grit. We play with toughness, we play hard, we don’t quit. That’s not going to change.

“We’re always going to have to be that blue collar team that’s willing to scrap out victories.”

Janda also praised the team’s seniors and assistants John Seitzinger and Tyler Corpora, who have been vital to the program’s success.

“They’re phenomenal leaders, phenomenal competitors. The ultimate warriors,” Janda said of the seniors. “Cade Christopher, Austin Sosnovik, special guys. Cody Hallock, you had Cam Shields join us this year for the first time. Jalen Lowthert, Ty Meck. It’s tough to put into words what those guys mean to me.

“And we coach this game because the game has given us so much. We wouldn’t be where we are today without those two gentlemen by my side here.”

COMING BACK

... Starting goalie Bailen Smargiassi - who made 11 saves Saturday _ will be back next season, as will Hildebrand and fellow starters Jared Meck, Kaden Rausch, Blaine Snyder, Stone Sosnovik and Joshua Wambold.

MOVING ON

... West Chester, champions of District 1, will face District 1 runner-up Marple Newtown in the semis on Tuesday.