DV Drops the Hammer: Warriors Flex Late, Take Control of the League Throne
By: Doug Noldy | Sportzwire | April 30, 2025
In a highly anticipated clash between the top two ranked teams in the Sportzwire Lacrosse Poll, No. 1 Scranton Prep played host to No. 2 Delaware Valley. Both squads entered with matching 14-1 records, setting the stage for a battle of District 2 titans.
The “Road” Warriors Set the Tone Early
Delaware Valley wasted no time establishing momentum, netting three goals in the first five minutes. Peyton LaRocco opened the scoring with a pair of quick strikes, while Tyler Husejnovic added a goal to give the Warriors a 3-0 lead. Scranton Prep responded with a goal from Braedon McPartland, cutting the deficit to 3-1. However, just 14 seconds later, Mikey Iuzzolino struck for DV, ending the first quarter with the Warriors up 4-1.
Cavaliers Mount a Second-Quarter Comeback
The Warriors extended their lead early in the second on a goal by Noah Rabolli, pushing the advantage to 5-1. But Scranton Prep, the highest-scoring team in the league, responded with urgency. Ryan Davis, Brady Holmes, and Grady Toolan each found the back of the net, narrowing the gap to 5-4 by halftime and shifting the momentum heading into the break.
Third Quarter Turns Defensive
The third quarter featured standout defensive efforts from both sides. Prep tied the game at 5 with a goal from Mackey Lynett at the 9:29 mark, but neither team found much room to operate offensively afterward. Iuzzolino broke the stalemate with his second goal, reclaiming the lead for Delaware Valley, 6-5, heading into the final period.
Warriors Unleash in Fourth-Quarter Blitz
Delaware Valley erupted in the fourth quarter, scoring six unanswered goals to seize control and run away with a 12-5 victory. Fueled by a fiery sideline huddle, the Warriors stormed onto the field with renewed intensity.
LaRocco completed his hat trick at the 10:38 mark to make it 7-5. Just six seconds later, Bryson Mackey scored to stretch the lead to three. Iuzzolino followed with his third goal of the game less than a minute later, and Rabolli added his second to make it 10-5.
LaRocco struck again for his fourth tally with just under four minutes remaining, and Jaxson Barbalich capped the scoring with an empty-netter to seal the Warriors' statement win.
