PIAA Class 3A Boys Lacrosse: Kessy Cox returns from injury, joins Radnor teammates for fourth straight state title victory

UNIVERSITY PARK — By all accounts, the history Radnor boys made Saturday was downright insane.

The Raptors won their fourth straight state boys’ title, and fifth overall, both unprecedented in the world of high school lacrosse, after defeating La Salle College High School 9-6 in the PIAA Class 3A final at Panzer Stadium.

The nucleus of stars who led Radnor to those records found it next to impossible putting their four titles together into words. Most players consider themselves blessed to win one championship. Radnor seniors Nate Lucchesi, Michael Savadove and Tucker Graham have four EACH.

“You couldn’t write a better script,” Lucchesi said. “It doesn’t feel real, to be honest. But I think later tonight it will hit me. There’s no better way to explain it or end it.”

The Raptors trailed only once, La Salle scoring the first goal. But the teams were knotted at 2 entering the second quarter. Junior Sawyer Smith scored early in the second frame to give the Raptors the lead for good, and Kessy Cox followed with the first of his three goals to put the Explorers on their heels. Lucchesi and Savadove are All-Americans. Cox is all heart, the senior bouncing back from a collapsed lung sustained in the District 1 semifinal loss to Springfield to lead the attack down the homestretch.

“I think that just speaks to the kind of program that Coach (Mike) Friel and previously coach (John) Begier created here,” Graham said. “Every guy, they’re not playing for themselves, they’re playing for each other. In those few games he missed there was nothing more he wanted in the world to just be out practicing with the guys. We talk about nails a lot to describe guys who are tough. Kessy with his collapsed lung and coming back is just a true testament to his toughness and what we’re building.”

Cox scored twice in the fourth quarter to keep the Explorers at bay. Owen Smith had two goals for the Raptors, who spread the scoring among six players.

When Cox scored with 5:51 to go giving Radnor an 8-5 lead, it was curtains for La Salle, which got two goals from Declan Helig.

The game was supposed to start at 4:30. Instead it began at 5:15. It was over before 7 p.m., the Raptors playing some of their best defense of the season. Seniors Tucker Graham, Henry Pierce and Bryan Henry, along with junior Jake Barber and goalie John Webb were nothing short of spectacular. One of the first-half goals the Raptors allowed was in a shorthanded situation.

Cox finishes his Radnor career with 120 points, 65 goals and memories that will last a lifetime.

The doctors told him he would be sidelined 2 to 10 weeks after the May 23 injury. Cox, who convinced his coach he go back into that game sought second and third opinions. Cox made it in two weeks. He had the lung inflated and played with protection … and near reckless abandon.

There was no way on earth Cox was going to miss the chance to not only be part of but to contribute to the Raptors’ historic run.

“Being here with the boys, giving them my all and competing every day, that’s what I live for,” Cox said. “They’re a big part of my life. They’re family. These are my brothers and I’ll give my all for all these guys.”

It was a long day for Radnor. There would be no inspiration from the girls’ team as it grudgingly surrendered a 10-4 decision to Conestoga in the Class 3A championship game. Senior Kate Gallagher, one of the Raptors’ top players, watched from the sideline with a boot on her injured left foot and ankle.

There would be no repeat of 2021 when the Radnor boys and girls teams were crowned state champs at West Chester East, the Mecca of lacrosse final fours. But for the Raptor boys, there were more championship snapshots of sacrifice, passion and excellence. And for La Salle, there was a long ride home.

“It’s tough,” Explorers coach Rob Forster said. “Credit to them. They played an awesome game and took us out of our game. I just feel for our seniors who have done so much for us to get us back to this point.”

Savadove, who could have called it a day in the fourth quarter, having cramped up, got back on the field with Cox, with Lucchesi, with Graham and all his teammates to be there for the countdown to Title 4.

“I was selling out my body,” Savadove said. “As soon as I could I got back on the field with the guys. You can’t put this into words. I have chills right now. I remember every single (title). I could go through every single play. The culture here, it’s just hard to explain. The coaches do a great job. I love my teammates like they’re my brothers. I still talk to every single person on the ’21, ’22 and ’23 teams. We’re just brothers for life. And I’m just thankful to be part of this program. It’s such an honor.”