Check out the Black Bear Lacrosse Club SOL boys’ lacrosse wrap for teams in action Tuesday. Abington/Neshaminy photos courtesy of Greg Lindsay, and New Hope-Solebury/LC photos provided courtesy of Karla Donohoe. Check back for galleries of both games. CLICK HERE to go directly to Suburban One Sports’ BOYS’ LACROSSE GALLERIES.
Non-league
ABINGTON 11, NESHAMINY 10
Abington held on for a huge win over Neshaminy in Tuesday’s nonleague matchup, but the thrilling 11-10 victory came with a price.
“I lost my voice, but we did pull out the win – it was awesome,” said Abington coach Mike Duffy with a laugh about the Ghosts’ first win of the season.
Matt Miller (2 goals, 3 assists) and freshman Jayden Magruder (3 goals, 1 assist) led the Abington attack.
The Ghosts fell behind early, trailing 3-1 after one quarter. But the visitors rallied with a big 4-goal third quarter, then extended the lead to 11-7 in the fourth. The Ghosts withstood a valiant Neshaminy comeback attempt to hold on for the big early-season victory.
“Honestly, I wasn’t nervous when we were up 11-7,” Duffy said. “And then they scored another one, and I had to calm my team down and say, ‘We’re still in the game,’ but 3 goals can happen in the blink of an eye, and sure enough they put 2 in in 20 seconds. I thought, ‘Oh boy, here we go.’
“Neshaminy was doing a really good job on the faceoffs. Their faceoff guy was winning a lot of them. We were real nervous there at the end.”
By the numbers: Abington: Jayden Magruder (3 goals, 1 assist), Matt Miller (2 goals, 3 assists), Will Woll (2 goals, 1 assist), Conor Chapin (1 goal, 1 assist), Conner Sullivan (1 goal, 1 assist), Andrew Suit (1 goal), Liam Penderghest (1 goal), Liam Cabry (1 assist), Matt Giannattasio (1 assist).
Neshaminy: Brian Birmingham (2G, 2A), Ryan DeMatteo (2G, 1A), Evan Martini (2G), Ryan Ganzel: (1G, 1A), Cayden Weaver (1G), Chase Comer (1G), Austin Tvarok (1G)
Cayden Weaver won 13 faceoffs, Austin Prociuk won 1, and Chase Comer won 1
Will Irving was reliable between the pipes, recording 12 saves
Abington coach Mike Duffy on the slow start: “Neshaminy went up on us early, they went up 3-0 after the first quarter. We came out a little bit flat. It’s frustrating. It happened to us at CR South. That’s one thing we have to look to fix – how we can get faster starts. We came out a little bit slow. We were getting a lot of shots early but just missing the mark. We were over the crossbars probably five times in the first quarter
alone. We hit the goalie a bunch.
“The halftime score was 5-3 (Neshaminy). The offense started looking a little bit better. We battled back in the third quarter, and by the end of the third quarter, we were up 7-6, so we battled back really, really well there.”
The heart-stopping ending: ” At one point, we were up 11-7 with 4:16 left, and they played really well at the end. There were a couple of big penalties with three-and-a-half minutes left on the clock – one on us and two on them. They scored a shorthanded goal at 3:23 to make it 11-8. Then they scored another one to make it 11-9 with 53 seconds, and they won the faceoff and went straight down and scored to make it 11-10 with 46 seconds on the clock.
“But we made a good defensive stand and got the ball back and just held it until the clock expired.”
Props: “Matt Miller, our senior veteran middie, had 2 goals and 3 assists for us. He was really our only source of offense in the first half, but in the second half – and this is the second game in a row he’s done this – we have a freshman attackman, a lefty, Jayden Magruder. He had 3 goals and an assist in the second half, so he’s really been coming on strong for us as a young freshman.
“Our LSM, Liam Penderghest, always puts everything he has out there on the field. He was up and down the field all game. He had a goal himself in the second half on a fast break. No slide came, and he put it where it needed to be.
“One of our D-middies, junior Cooper Blint, was playing great one-on-one defense, he was sliding to the crease really well. He’s new to the game, so it’s real encouraging to see him picking up this D-middie role so well. He’s traditionally a soccer kid. He came over – this is his first year playing lacrosse, and he’s turned out to be one of our best D-middies out there. He’s learned the game really quickly and is just picking up everything really well, so we’re real happy with the way he’s playing, too.”
Neshaminy coach John Donato on the game: “Down 11-8 with less than four minutes and having to overcome a two-man down penalty situation, we continued to grind and attack the goal cutting the deficit to 11-10. In the final minute, Cayden Weaver won the faceoff and the final shot attempts were turned back. It was a terrific and exciting early season competition for both teams. Hats off to the Ghosts for walking away with the W.”
–Props: “Brian Birmingham (2 goals, 2 assists) stepped up, playing his best lacrosse while making an impact on both sides of the midfield, running at attack and midfield, winning key ground balls and contributing to the clearing game.
“Tim Peterson was solid on defense throughout the contest and was singularly responsible for causing two forced turnovers during the final minutes.”
Up next: Neshaminy (0-2 overall) will host New Hope-Solebury at 4 pm Thursday. The Ghosts (1-1) will look to continue their winning ways when they visit nonleague opponent Strath Haven for a 3:30 pm showdown on Friday.
Abington 1 2 4 4 – 11
Neshaminy 3 2 1 4 – 10
CHELTENHAM 12, HARRY S TRUMAN 10
Cheltenham pulled ahead with a 4-goal second quarter and held off Harry S Truman as the Panthers won their season-opener in Tuesday’s 12-10 nonleague matchup.
For Truman, Connor Freer was unstoppable, contributing on 10 goals with a whopping 8 goals and 2 assists. The Tiger goalkeepers were busy, with Tommy Bryson racking up 11 saves and Lucas Tully making 20 saves and also picking up 1 assist.
By the numbers: Harry S Truman: Connor Freer (8 goals, 2 assists), Rob Krystofolski (1 goal, 2 assists, 1 GB), Conner Bryson (1 goal, 2 assists, 1 GB, 2 CTO), Logan Malinowski (1 assist, 3 GB, 2 CTO), Bradley Montoya-Long (2 GB, 1 CTO), Tommy Bryson (11 saves), Lucas Tully (20 saves, 1 assist).
Up next: Cheltenham (1-0 overall) will take to the field at Archbishop Ryan at 4 pm today. Truman (0-2) will host Conwell Egan Catholic at 6 pm Friday.
Harry S Truman 2 1 3 4 – 10
Cheltenham 2 4 4 2 – 12
COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 15, FATHER JUDGE 5
Liam Dudley fired in a game-high 5 goals to help Council Rock North open the season with a 15-5 victory over nonleague opponent Father Judge on Tuesday.
Playing a key role in the win was Peyton Neifer, who won 18 of 20 faceoffs. Jason Boyd had a big game in goal for the Indians, turning away 13 shots.
By the numbers: Council Rock North: Liam Dudley (5 goals, 2 GB), Ryan Schaffer (3 goals, 1 GB), Billy McBride (2 goals, 2 assists, 5 GB), Jake Wellwood (2 goals, 2 assists, 3 GB), Chase Klein (2 goals, 1 assist, 2 GB), Ben Wellwood (2 assists, 1 GB), Nick Topalovich (1 goal, 6 GB), Chase Gillie (1 goal), James Reynolds (1 assist, 1 GB), Evan Salvucci (1 assist, 1 GB), Peyton Niefer (5 GB), Kurkan Arpajian (3 GB), Owen Rodowicz (3 GB), Dylan Kiefer (1 GB), Andrew Broadway (1 GB).
Council Rock North coach John Fitzpatrick: “I told the kids we are on a journey, and it’s just begun.”
Props: “Jason Boyd played tremendous in goal with 13 saves. Kurkan Arpajian and Owen Rodowicz commanded a great defensive effort. Peyton Niefer was almost perfect at faceoffs, going 18 for 20.”
Up next: North (1-0 overall) will visit Plymouth Whitemarsh at 3:30 pm Friday.
Council Rock North 8 7 – 15
Father Judge 2 3 – 5
NEW HOPE-SOLEBURY 7, LANSDALE CATHOLIC 2
New Hope-Solebury picked up its first win of the season on Tuesday, earning a 7-2 victory over Lansdale Catholic in a nonleague contest.
Mitchell Lontchar led the Lions with 3 goals, while goalkeeper Cole Catalano made 7 saves in the cage and also recorded an assist.
By the numbers: New Hope-Solebury: Mitchell Lontchar (3 goals), Trevor Donohoe (1 goal), Colin Foster (1 goal), Chris Weisbrot (1 goal), Isaiah Tousignant (1 goal). Lucas Solis (1 assist), Parker Taylor (1 assist), Chris Weisbrot (1 assist), Cole Catalano (7 saves, 1 assist)
New Hope-Solebury coach Jeff Bruemmer: “This was a total team effort. After struggling in our first game, we were able to reduce our turnovers and penalties and play solid team lacrosse from start to finish.”
Props: “Cole Catalano was strong in goal with 7 saves and topped off a good day with a late game assist. Oliver Phillips, Josh DiZio, Quinn Bridge, and Max Moore were solid on defense.”
Up next: New Hope-Solebury (1-1 overall) squares off against Neshaminy at 4 pm Thursday.
DOWNINGTOWN EAST 10, CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 5
Central Bucks East caused 6 turnovers and scooped up 20 ground balls, but the Patriots were unable to stop Downingtown East’s attack, dropping a 10-5 decision in Tuesday’s nonleague game.
Evan Riley led the Patriots with two goals.
By the numbers: Central Bucks East: Evan Riley (2 goals, 1 CTO), Michael Smallwood (1 goal, 1 assist, 2 GB), Adam Volm (1 goal, 1 GB), Ryan Atkinson (1 goal), Ryan Williams (1 assist, 1 GB), Thomas Williams (1 CTO), David Brown (5 GB), Tristan Smith (2 GB, 2 CTO), Jackson Jagoda (2 GB, 1 CTO), Ben Bridegum (1 GB), Charlie Munshower (1 CTO), Chris Knepp (1 GB), Oliver Rennie (1 GB), Frankie Pacitti (1 GB), Rowen Coverdale (8 FO, 3 GB), Ben Snyder (9 saves).
Up next: The Patriots (0-2 overall) will visit Unionville at 3:45 pm on Thursday.
UNIONVILLE 19, SPRINGFIELD TWP 3
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