Upper Dublin picked up a big non-league win over Abington. Check out Thursday’s SOL action. To view photos of the Upper Dublin/Abington and Pennsbury/New Hope games, please visit the Photo Gallery.
UPPER DUBLIN 10, ABINGTON 9 (OT)
Freshman Michael Sowers turned a pass from teammate Michael Rama into the game-winning goal at the 2:57 mark of overtime, propelling the Flying Cardinals to the big win in a battle of SOL powers.
“It was a great game,” Upper Dublin coach JP Banks said. “Abington is such a good team.
“Our kids were working hard. We were down most of the game, and they hung in tough. It was a good day for us. I know they’re one of the top teams in the area, but we’ve been building towards it. Today was a good day for Upper Dublin lacrosse.”
The Ghosts led 2-1 at the end of one quarter, but the Cardinals came back to knot the score 5-5 at halftime. Abington took an 8-6 lead into the final quarter when the Cardinals came to life. They knotted the score 8-8 with 2:40 remaining when Drew Potts used a pass from Rama to score the equalizer.
A goal by Rama (Sowers assist) put the Cardinals on top with 1:53 remaining.
“Michael Rama is our senior, and he’s a leader – we rely on him,” Banks said. “He’s been playing a position that’s not his natural one. We’re running him out of the midfield because we have a lot of younger attack.”
Abington’s Hunter Jones scored the tying goal with 45 seconds remaining, setting the stage for overtime.
The Ghosts won the draw, but a Rama check and takeaway gave the Cardinals possession, setting the stage for the game winner from Sowers.
“The game could have gone either way,” Banks said. “We got the possession in overtime, and we were able to capitalize.
“Zach Hanson set a great pick below the goal line to free Michael up, which is the kind of thing that doesn’t show up in the scorebook.”
Sowers is one of three freshmen in the Cardinals’ starting lineup, and his father, Dave Sowers, is an assistant coach.
“Coach Sowers had a great defensive game plan, and the kids executed,” Banks said.
Banks credited defenders Tyler Heubach, Tim Chwal, Henry Winebrake and Jack Rapine. Winebrake and Rapine are both freshmen.
“We never felt like we were out of it,” Banks said. “Our guys were able to recognize something that worked for them, and they executed.
“Their goalie (Eric Goldsborough) made a ton of saves.”
Goldsborough turned away 15 shots, and UD’s Jack Deragon also had 15 saves.
“He’s been great back there,” Banks said of Deregon. “He really controls the defense well, changes up the different defensive looks we give. He’s a gamer. He’s a good player.”
Sowers (four goals, two assists) and Potts (four goals, one assist) led the Ghosts’ attack. Rama added two goals and an assist, and Ben Winebrake had two goals. Nick Vernacchio added an assist.
For the Ghosts, Will Dulin led the way with five goals. Hunter Jones (two assists), Joey Lomady (one assist), Brian Gallagher (one assist) and Gus Greenberg each added one goal.
“Will Dulin had an unbelievable game,” Banks said. “Joey Lomady was everything everybody said. He’s just a top-notch midfielder, and Austin Pifani is just unbelievable.
“I have nothing but respect for how hard those kids play. It just happened we got possession in overtime, and we were able to capitalize.”
While the Ghosts are 2-2, the Flying Cardinals improved to 4-1.
“We look at the season as a marathon,” Banks said. “Today is a big win for our program. We have been working towards being able to compete at the level of an Abington, and for today, we were able to.
“We have 13 games left in the season, and we play Upper Moreland tomorrow. We need to come out with the same energy and enthusiasm. There’s a lot of stuff we need to continue to tighten up. Hopefully, we’re better in May than we are in March.”
Abington 2-3-3-1-0 9
Upper Dublin 1-4-1-3-1 10
WISSAHICKON 7, GERMANTOWN ACADEMY 1
The Trojans, who led 3-0 at halftime, took a 5-0 lead into the final quarter when the Patriots finally got on the scoreboard. Zach Scannapieco and Luke Gomez led the Trojans with both contributing two goals and one assist. John Carrozza added a goal and an assist, and Jack Shea and Nate Degroat both had single goals. Chris Carradorini and Cole Kropnick each contributed an assist. Goalie Tyler Freas turned away six shots.
Wissahickon 1-2-2-2 7
Germantown Academy 0-0-0-1 1
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