Pennridge was a winner in boys’ lacrosse in District One 3A play while Abington and Upper Moreland were winners on the girls side in Class 3A and 2A.
Boys
#1-9 PENNRIDGE 8, #1-24 WISSAHICKON 4
The Trojans gave the favored Rams all they could handle, battling the host team to a 2-2 halftime time.
“Wissahickon did a real nice job,” coach JP Banks said. “I think we had some really good looks at the goal that we didn’t finish great in the first half, and their goalie made some good stops.
“As a nine seed and the highest seed that has to play in the first round, drawing Wissahickon as the 24 seed and the last team getting in the tournament – I knew what a quality team they were.
“They’re well coached, they have some young kids that are going to be really good players, so to draw them in the first round, we knew it was going to be a battle.”
The Rams continued to play stout defense in the second half, limiting the Trojans to just two goals while they scored six.
“Our defense and our goalie did a great job at that end of the field,” Banks said. “Offensively, I was really pleased with how unselfish the kids were with the ball.
“The more unselfish we get with the ball, the better the opportunities we get.”
Banks credited his defense – Danny Hart, Brandan Howell, Johnnie Banks, Andy Kelly and goalie Tristan Banks (11 saves).
“Connor Frish was rotating in there,” Banks said. “Our ‘D’ middies – Tyler Sessa, Shane Hartzell and Ryan Garner.
“PJ Matkowski did a great job at the X tonight for us.”
Logan Lazasz’s four-point game (two goals, two assists) led the Rams. Ryan Garner and Nick Fanelli each added a pair of goals. Jack Garner had a goal and an assist, and Kevin Britner had a single goal.
Pennridge (13-6, 7-2 SOL) will travel to eighth-seeded Downingtown East for a second round game on Thursday. Wissahickon (6-2 SOL) closed out its season with a 6-11 record.
Wissahickon 1-1-1-1 4
Pennridge 1-1-2-4 8
Girls
CLASS 3A
#1-10 CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 6, #1-23 WEST CHESTER RUSTIN 3
Fiona Henderson spent Tuesday’s district opener stonewalling the Golden Knights at every turn. All told, the freshman goalie turned away 17 of 20 shots she faced in a dazzling performance.
“She was incredible,” coach David Schlesinger said. “She played with tremendous poise and confidence, and you could see as the game kept developing – her confidence kept growing.
“We were commenting on the sidelines that the ball must look like a beach ball to her because she was just tracking the ball so well. She was stepping to the shots. She just played the game of her life.”
Henderson and the Patriots’ defense set the tone for the game in the first half, shutting out their visitors. Comprising the Patriots’ stingy defense were Steph Ott, Bella Ridolfi and Julia Gleason as well as Ava Lisle, Mackenzie Boyle, Quinn Ferry and Brigitte Bishop.
“Our defense played very, very well,” Schlesinger said. “We slid well, we crashed well, we were switching seamlessly.
“I think defensively we confused Rustin a little bit just because every time they tried to make a move there was another defender there ready to help. A lot of the shots were not point blank shots. I think our team defense did a great job of limiting quality scoring opportunities.”
Quinn Ferry (Erin McGovern assist) and Riley Forman each scored a goal to send the Patriots into halftime with a 2-0 lead.
Forman completed her hat trick with a pair of second-half goals while Mackenzie Boyle had a goal and an assist. Freshman Courtney Mackenzie added a late goal to close out the scoring.
The game was halted with three minutes remaining because of lightening. After an hour-and-a-half delay, the game was called.
Schlesinger wasn’t certain when East last won a district playoff game, but it’s safe to say it’s been a long time.
“This is a huge step,” the Patriots’ second-year coach said.
Central Bucks East (14-5, 7-1 SOL) will travel to seventh-seeded Downingtown East for Thursday’s second round game.
West Chester Rustin 0-3 3
Central Bucks East 2-4 6
#1-16 ABINGTON 7, #1-17 SOUDERTON 5
Ghosts first-year coach Mary Liz Klepper knew she was inheriting a team that had lost a number of key players to graduation.
After her first meeting with the returning Abington players though, Klepper knew there was still plenty of talent. She also knew it wasn't going to come together automatically but the Ghosts worked all season and, on Tuesday, won a district playoff game for the second straight season.
"I knew there was something special with them," Klepper said. "I knew a lot of them hadn't played, but with time, we could build that team and get it going together. From the beginning, I knew this team was talented, we just needed time to grow."
Natalie McNamara and Lauren Van Buren led the Ghosts with two goals each and plenty of hustle. With the game getting played before heavy storms rolled through, heat and high temperatures were a factor in the contest.
For Abington, it was part of that team-building Klepper had envisioned that helped counter the elements. Whenever any player needed a break, the Ghosts went to their bench and didn't lose any energy or production.
It also seemed to spur the players about to come out to go a little bit harder before being subbed.
"Everyone on our team can come out and give 110 percent every time, they're all great athletes," McNamara said. "They can show their ability on the field whenever they're given time."
Both goalies played well for their respective teams. Souderton's Lauren Scott stood tall early, stonewalling a handful of Abington shots, but the Ghosts kept hustling the ground balls and eventually broke through on Shea Gormley's goal in the first half.
The Ghosts led 3-0 before Souderton senior Carlie Doughty put the Indians on the board but Abington would score the next two, including a tally by McNamara with 12 seconds left in the half, for a 5-1 lead at the break.
"The team knew we needed every possession, and if we wanted to have it on offense, we had to run it down ourselves," McNamara said. "We had to know how tired we were and run the offense that way, look for shots but also keep the ball in possession and not just take the first shot."
The teams traded goals to open the second half before Souderton rallied with two straight to cut the Ghosts lead to 7-5 with about six minutes left. Klepper called a timeout to settle her team and while Abington didn't score again, the Ghosts were able to play the clock game.
Abington got a strong defensive effort led from Anna Joseph and Becca Gable with Ellie Hughes providing 10 saves in goal. Kaley Ehnow and Jamira Mashore added goals for Abington.
“What a great team win,” Klepper said. “From Ellie Hughes in goal to our tenacious defense and our solid attacking unit.
“Even with the heat and the storm coming for us, we were able to take care of the ball to get the win. Souderton came out strong in the second half, but possession helped us win the game.”
Souderton (13-6, 7-2 SOL) was led by two goals each from Randi Hess and Carlie Doughty and one goal from Anna Anello. Liz O’Hara and Sarah Goodwin led the defense with two caused turnovers each. Kate Connolly and Ceci Puente both added a caused turnover. Juliana Borisow was credited with four draw controls. Scott finished with 12 saves.
Abington (13-6, 8-1) will face top-seeded Garnet Valley on Thursday.
"The biggest thing I've been trying to tell them is we needed to play a complete game to beat these type of teams in the playoffs," Klepper said. "From that first draw, we need to possess and take care of the ball. They started out strong, Souderton did a really good job in coming back but we were able to get the ball and take care of it."
Souderton 1-4 5
Abington 5-2 7
#1-20 METHACTON 12, #1-13 UPPER DUBLIN 6
The Flying Cardinals fell behind early and spent the rest of the game playing catch up. They trailed 8-4 at the intermission, and things didn’t improve in the second half.
Sophomore Mack Moore led the Cardinals with one goal, three assists and two draw controls. Maddie Templeton had a goal and an assist. Jenn McCarry, Ally Breslin, Julia Reardon and Caroline Wall each had one goal. McCarry also had four draw controls.
Sarah Herchenroder was credited with five saves in goal.
Upper Dublin (6-3 SOL) closed out its season with a 12-6 record.
Methacton 8-4 12
Upper Dublin 4-2 6
CLASS 2A
#1-11 UPPER MORELAND 12, #1-6 NEW HOPE-SOLEBURY 11
The Golden Bears opened up a 7-4 halftime lead and then held off the hard-charging Lions.“What a game,” UM coach Kim Frantz said. “We started off with a lead but could never keep a lead until the end of the game. Every time we had a two- or three-goal lead, New Hope would battle back and tie the game.
“New Hope played hard and played a great game. What saved us in the end is Cheyanne Grumm with a amazing second half in goal – she had 10 saves just in the second half. She had a total of 16 saves on the game. She had a really great game, and had a few key saves in the second half.”
Emma Meakim led the Bears’ attack with five goals and one assist to go along with two draw controls.
“She had a solid game for us,” Frantz said. “Megan O'Donnell also came up big for us on the offensive end with four goals. Cassidy Hirsch had a hand in three goals with assists and also had four draw controls.”
Also scoring were Bryanna Gordon with two goals and two assists and Moira Olexa with one goal. Chloe Leiter added a pair of assists.
The Golden Bears were down a player with 12 minutes left in the game, and with eight minutes remaining until the end of the game, they were down two as a result of yellow cards.
“What I am most happy with is the heart we played with until the end of the game,” Frantz said. “For eight minutes we were able to hold New Hope off from scoring two goals- they were only able to get within one goal. Our defense kept us in this game by being able to play five-man defense against seven – they handled this so well. We really played hard today.”
Comprising the Golden Bears’ stalwart defense were Alexis Lamb, AbbyEllen Wood, MaddieGrace Wood and Kayla Meakim.
Upper Moreland (12-7, 4-5 SOL) will face the winner of the Penncrest/Springfield Township game that was postponed because of heavy storms.
Upper Moreland 7-5 12
New Hope-Solebury 4-7 11
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