Quinn scored just a little more than eight minutes to play in the first half. Price made it 2-0 just 48 seconds into the second half. Things then got a little dicey.
An electrical storm moved in, and officials halted play.
That began a discussion among the officials, coaches, and representatives of Conestoga. According to the officials, PIAA regulations required them to wait 30 minutes after the last recorded lightning bolt before resuming.
The storm moved out of the area, and the teams resumed play. That's where Radnor's defense, led by sophomore goalie Bari Margolis, came in to play, particularly in the last 10 minutes.
Margolis missed all of last season because of an anterior cruciate ligament injury suffered while playing softball - she's a shortstop for the Red Raiders - but she was ready for the Pioneers.
She made 16 saves, some very big ones in the final 10 minutes when Conestoga stepped up the pressure.
"That was the longest 10 minutes I can ever remember," Margolis said.
She said that running through her mind was that Radnor had led by 2-0 against Garnet Valley a week ago and lost, 3-2, when the Jaguars scored three goals in the final nine minutes.
"You have to put games like that behind you," Margolis said.
Radnor countered the pressure with its own pressure, playing a man-to-man defense trying to force the Pioneers to make mistakes with the ball. Conestoga got off a number of shots, but the few that Margolis didn't stop soared over the crossbar or wide of the goal.
"Before the game, I told the kids they had to believe in the coaches, their teammates, and the game plan, and especially themselves if they expected to win," Radnor coach Joe Caruolo said.
Conestoga and Radnor each have a game left against Strath Haven. The Pioneers will meet the Panthers on Oct. 5. Radnor will play Strath Haven on Oct. 11.
Radnor 1 1 – 2
Conestoga 0 0 – 0
Goals: R-Taylor Quinn, Lindsay Price.
Saves: R-Bari Margolis 16; C-Anna Walker 4.
Contact staff writer Don Beideman at 267-815-0733 or dbeideman@phillynews.com.
