Pennsbury set up an all-SOL showdown against Hatboro-Horsham, thanks to the Falcons’ 8-5 win over Perkiomen Valley on Wednesday. That low-scoring game could be directly attributed to the Vikings’ defense-first philosophy.
“It’s a tough game to get up for when you don’t know your opponents,” coach Jamie Huber said. “You’ve never seen them before, you have no common opponents, and it’s even tougher when you’re the nine seed, and they’re the 24 seed.
“Knowing what’s on the horizon should you win and seeing Hatboro-Horsham waiting for you, a league rival that we’ve never actually played before - all those factors make it difficult to get up for that game.
“Taking nothing away from Perk Valley, they came ready to play. They obviously knew what we’re capable of. They have a very stingy defense, and they’re opportunistic on offense. They frustrated us on offense, and they took advantage of opportunities they had on offense.”
The Falcons led 2-1 at the end of one quarter and still led by just one at halftime (3-2). A 4-3 score heading into the final quarter suggested it was anyone’s game, but the Falcons went on a 3-1 tear before the Vikings scored a late goal for the 8-5 final.
“Our goalie played really well,” Huber said of sophomore Drew Sweetland who turned away 12 shots. “Perk Valley scored a goal on us late when we were a man down
Drew had some real big saves. He played real well. He was our defensive player of the game.”
Offensively, the Falcons were led by Josh Caven’s three-goal, one-assist effort. Calvin Hopkins added a pair of goals, and Kenneth Warren – in his first game action since being sidelined with an injury – had a goal and three assists. Ricky Jutkiewicz contributed a goal and an assist while Shawn Caven added a single goal to close out the scoring.
“We controlled the ball most of the game,” Huber said. “We just weren’t finishing, and their goalie made a couple of big saves.
“We didn’t play our best lacrosse today, but the fact that we can get a win out in that fashion is great. In the playoffs, seeding doesn’t matter. Everyone comes to play. It was a good test for us, and hopefully it will pay off tomorrow night.”
The Falcons held a 42-25 advantage in shots, and although Huber would have liked to have seen a bit more offensive production from his squad, he was more than happy to walk away with a win.
“Even though I’ve been with the Pennsbury program for three years, it’s my first year as a head coach,” he said. “It’s nice to get my playoff win as a head coach, but obviously, it’s the boys’ win before it’s mine.”
#9 Pennsbury at #8 Hatboro-Horsham, 7 p.m.
The Falcons won’t have much time to enjoy their opening round win. They will travel to Hatboro-Horsham for a 7 p.m. contest on Thursday.
“Hatboro is a very good team,” Huber said. “For the past couple of years, they’ve been one of the top teams in the Suburban One, but we feel very strongly that we belong there.
“We also feel strongly that this could have just as easily been our home game and not theirs. We played similar opponents and had the same success against them. We know they’re good, but we feel we’re evenly matched. We feel we’re ready to compete. We’re excited to have the opportunity, and either way, a Suburban One school will move on, and we hope we’re the one representing Suburban One.”
The Hatters are led by a strong senior class that features captains Eddie Coombs, Ryan Mullen and Ryan Kreston. Senior goalie Dino Vitale was outstanding in the Hatters’ 9-7 win over Bishop Shanahan in the opening round.
#13 Downingtown West at #4 Central Bucks East, 7 p.m. (War Memorial Field)
The Patriots are no strangers to post-season play. They have been in the state playoffs since well before lacrosse became a varsity sport in the SOL. Their number four seed in this year’s tournament is their highest seed ever, and this is a program that clearly has a system in place.
“There is an excellent feeder program coming up from two local programs,” coach Bruce Garcia said. “There is a foundation from our jayvee, from our parents group, from the Extra Man Opportunity Club that we run, which is a charitable organization donating time – all of that is part of a program.
“It’s not just a lacrosse team. It’s a program.”
That program got its modest start 10 years ago with the formation a lacrosse program in the Central Bucks Athletic Association under the direction of Garcia and his wife. What began with 65 participants the first year now has between 700 and 800 players today.
“We knew 12 years ago that East would not have anything without a feeder program,” Garcia said. “it’s not a game that can just be picked up. It takes time to understand and play the game.”
This year’s Patriot squad is led by its four senior captains – Rob Ferall, Alex Fetterman, Brian Urban and Parker Rushworth.
“That’s crucial,” Garcia said. “When children get beyond 14 or 15, they become adults. They listen to adults and respect them, but they do what they see.
“What they see is what the captains do, and when you’re dealing with 17 and 18-year-olds, it’s crucial to deal with the right mix of captains or your system will fail you. I have done that in the past where it has failed, but it’s not failing now. It’s just a matter of manipulation, making sure those players are the right mix for the players you have in your program that year.”
Twins Ryan and Kyle Andrews, Weston French and Zac Bitzer give the Patriots depth in the poles. Matt Brodzik, Ben Auteri, Brenden Coleman and Conor McSherry also play key roles.
“We’re deep in the midfield and at attack, but what starts it all off is our junior face-off guy, Sean Reilly,” Garcia said. “He has turned out to be as good as our face-off man last year – Rich O’Brien, and like a Schwinn bike, he’s very reliable.”
Last year, East advanced to states, falling in the opening round to LaSalle, but Garcia isn’t looking that far down the road. Right now it’s about winning games.
“We talked last Friday, and I said, ‘It’s a heavy burden to carry, but you are expected right now to win lacrosse games, Now it’s your job, not mine, to exceed everyone else’s expectations,’” the Patriots’ coach said.
The Patriots’ first test comes on Thursday when they take on a Downingtown West squad that defeated Plymouth Whitemarsh 9-4.
#18 Avon Grove at #2 Abington, 7 p.m.
The Ghosts will take the field as the SOL’s top-seeded team when they host 18th-seeded Avon Grove on Thursday. The key to Abington’s success, according to coach Randy McNeill, starts on the offensive end of the field.
“We have quite a few guys that can score,” the Ghosts’ coach said. “You can’t just key on one guy. Teams are concentrating on one guy, and another guy steps up.
“We have been averaging close to 16 goals a game, and any time you score 16 goals, you have a good chance to get a win.”
Offensively, the Ghosts are led by attackmen Joey Jones and Ryan Ambler.
“They both can do whatever needs to be done to win the game,” McNeill said. “If I need them to get six assists, they’ll get six assists. If I need them to score six goals, they’ll score six goals.”
Both players have over 90 points.
Freshman Matt Rambo anchors the midfield.
“He has over 60 goals at midfield, which is incredible,” McNeill said.
The Ghosts’ defense has also risen to the occasion.
“Our defense is learning to play together,” McNeill said. “A lot of guys that haven’t played together before have gotten together and are starting to play better team defense.”
The unquestionable catalyst of the defense is goalie Jesse McGinley.
“He has been playing really well,” McNeill said. “He’s kind of found his niche.
“He used to be really down on himself in years past, and this year he has been incredible, stepping up in every big game.”
Last year, the Ghosts finished one spot shy of a berth in states. They’re hoping to erase memories of that disappointing finish this time around.
“I’m excited to see what we can do,” McNeill said. “So far, we have had one loss all year, and it was a game we would love to have back.
“We have something to prove. They know they have talent. It’s just a matter of going out and proving it.”
The Ghosts will host 18th-seeded Avon Grove in a 7 p.m. contest. Avon Grove upset 15th-seeded Strath Haven 10-7 in an opening round contest.
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