Henderson rallies to down Avon Grove for Ches-Mont title
LONDON GROVE - After the third quarter, West Chester Henderson's hopes of winning the Ches-Mont League girls lacrosse title looked like it would have to wait until the regular season finale on Thursday.
But, as bad as the third was, that was how good it was in the fourth, as the Warriors rallied to register a 13-10 victory over Avon Grove on Tuesday.
After finishing second to Bishop Shanahan last season, the win gave Henderson the league title with a 10-1 record (16-1 overall) with one game to go.
"We worked as a team the whole season to achieve a goal," said senior attack Reese Heim.
The Warriors entered the final 12 minutes trailing, 10-6, after the Red Devils (6-5, 10-6) exploded for five goals in the third.
Henderson dominated the draw circle and the effects of that started showing up on the scoreboard. Mary Cate Killoran started things off a minute in as she drove to the net to score.
"We lost to Great Valley a few weeks ago and we've been down a lot of games, so we know how to climb back," said Killoran
Two minutes later, they cut the deficit to 10-8 as Bailey Schalleur scored on a free position. They were up a player when Heim scored the last of her four goals on a free position as the Red Devils were reeling.
Their misery continued as Killoran was cutting her across the nest, hesitated to get goalie Kylee Mellott off balance, then rifled a shot into the net to tie the score at 10-10 halfway through the fourth.
Henderson took the lead as a pass went across the goal and an open Ava Fanelli tipped it in. They added to the lead on another goal by Fanelli and finished off the blitz on a tally from Rayne Harkins with 1:10 left.
Avon Grove had a free position in the final seconds, but Grace Rongaus recorded her only save of the game by stopping Kendal Mellott as time expired. The Warriors ended up outshooting the Red Devils, 9-1, in the period.
"It was intense," said Henderson coach Robin Keevan. "We got better as we went, but it was a little dicey in the second and third. They got us on the fastbreak. We did very well with the draws throughout. I was very happy with the way the draw was going."
While being happy with the way his team played to get the lead, Avon Grove coach Chris Schuch expected the Warriors to make a push.
"It's a streaky game," he said. I felt we had a good second and third, but we struggled to get possession in the fourth, and that makes a huge difference.
"They've taken everybody's best punch. That's what this game is in this area. They've got a fantastic group of kids. They're fast, strong and physical. They played really well together and they play smart."
Neither team had anything to show for three trips each to open the contest. Almost seven minutes in, Henderson got on the board as Heim whipped in a shot from distance for the 1-0 lead. Schalleur scored the first of her hat trick as she shielded the defense as she drove to goal on a free position. Lyla Raffaele made it 3-0 with 1:38 left.
Avon Grove made it 3-1 as Kylee Mellott made a save and tossed a long outlet that found the stick of Lilly Keen, who drove to the net and scored just before the end of quarter horn sounded to give momentum to the Red Devils.
"That was huge," said Schuch. "We were playing with good energy, I think, but we weren't just breaking through. But, getting that goal, her making that play, I think that gave us the lift that put us in a good spot for the second and third."
Before they could start its push, AG had to survive Henderson adding to the lead as Heim scored from in close as she was falling. The fight back began as Alyssa Martin tallied off an assist by Aubrey Ferraro. Rylee Boyd dented the net to make it 4-3.
Seconds after killing off a two-minute yellow card penalty, Kendal Mellott bulled her way past two defenders to score and tie the score at 4-4. Martin gave them their first lead by scoring with under a minute left and Avon Grove went into the break up 5-4.
The Red Devils scored five times in the third to forge a 10-6 advantage after three.
The title capped off a rise for a Henderson program that won three league games in 2023 and seven in 2024. They wrap up the regular season on Thursday against Coatesville, while Avon Grove faces Sun Valley.
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This story was originally published May 6, 2026 at 9:19 PM.