By Alex Frazier
No titles on the line.
Just bragging rights.
When Council Rock North and Council Rock South get together, you can throw out the records and toss the stats.
That proved true once again Friday afternoon as the two teams battled in a one-goal game that North pulled out in the last three minutes to win, 9-8.“It was definitely exciting,” said attackman Doug Rheiner, who led the Indians with three goals and an assist. “It wasn’t exactly how we had it planned, but we’ll take any win we can.”
On paper, North was the favorite entering the first of two games between the National Conference archrivals.
“Rivalries are great equalizers,” said South coach Paul McGovern. “I thought we matched up well against them. The next time we play them it will be an even better game.”
“Anything can happen in a game like this,” said Rheiner. “We did a good job not coming in too cocky or too loose. We just wanted to play hard. We definitely respect them. They’re a good group of guys and are well coached.”
South’s Matt Morton (3 goals) and Andy Lihani (2) led the Hawks for a combined five goals. Both will continue their careers in college next year, Morton at Binghamton and Lihani at Santa Barbara (Calif.).
“They’re both pretty intelligent kids, too,” said McGovern.
With 5:01 left in the fourth quarter, it appeared as though North was ready to put the game away. Rheiner had just fed Tyler Hamilton who drove around the left side of the goal to give the Indians an 8-5 lead.
But the Golden Hawks weren’t ready to concede just yet.
In fact, South pumped in three straight goals to knot the score at eight with 2:50 left to play.“Lacrosse is a game of teams going on runs,” said Rheiner. “I guess we got our run early (three consecutive goals in the third quarter to pull ahead 6-3). It’s all about if you can react.”
After Hamilton scored North’s eighth goal with his team a man down, Matt Morton (three goals) took the ensuing faceoff down the field and beat North goalie Dominic Colaruso.
About a minute later, Matt Finor bounced a shot over the head of Colaruso, and with North’s Chris Gifford out on a slashing penalty, Dennis Chichkin ripped the net from the top of the midfield to tie the score.
“They have two outstanding players in Matt Morton and Andy Lihani,” said assistant coach Jack Rheiner. “The momentum of the game shifted. They made some great shots and their zone defense was a tough riddle to solve.”
“We were getting a little nervous,” admitted Doug Rheiner. “We started losing faceoffs and the game is all about possession. If you don’t have the ball, you can’t score.”
However, it took North just seven seconds to assume the lead once again. Shane Perdikis won the faceoff and sprinted up the middle of the field, passing to Hamilton who notched his second goal.
“Shane had a huge faceoff win for us,” said Doug Rheiner. “It came at just the right time.”
Of course, with 2:43 left, there was absolutely no guarantee it would be the game winner.
North gained possession of the ball with about 2:10 left to play and did a superb job of playing keepaway in the box. There was a moment of anxiety with seven seconds left when the Indians lost possession, but they quickly scooped a ground ball and held on for the win.
“We’re pretty proud of that,” said Doug Rheiner. “We didn’t want the game to be that close, but you can’t control that at the end of the game. We lost a big game last year in the last two minutes, and we’ve made it a point to practice that a lot this year. Even in our practice yesterday, we practiced that. I’m glad to see it worked out for us.”
“The North team played very well,” said McGovern. “They always do. My boys are one step closer to pulling out a win. We scout them hard and had a great game plan going in. The kids executed well. It’s always a classic rivalry. I’m proud of them They’re doing a good job.”
The season seems to be turning around for North, which knocked off Neshaminy last week. This coming week will be a big one with a re-match against Pennsbury, which beat them in the first meeting.
“We’re at a point in the season where we need to start rolling,” said Doug Rheiner. “This was definitely a way to keep that going. Hopefully we can carry it on to next week.”
Council Rock North 9, Council Rock South 8
Goals: Pat Sweet (CRN) 3, Doug Rheiner (CRN) 3, Shane Perdikis (CRN), Tyler Hamilton (CRN) 2, Matt Morton (CRS) 3, Andy Lihani (CRS) 2, Matt Finor (CRS), Frank Junod (CRS), Dennis Chichkin (CRS)
Assists: Doug Rheiner (CRN), Shane Perdikis (CRN), Tyler Hamilton (CRN), Brandon Cottom (CRN), Matt Finor (CRS), Brian Bollinger (CRS) 2
Shots: Council Rock North 35, Council Rock South 22
Saves: Dominic Colaruso (CRN) 7, Sean Poritsky (CRS) 8
Faceoffs: Council Rock North 10, Council Rock South 10
Turnovers: Council Rock North 12, Council Rock South 13
Penalties: Council Rock North 12, Council Rock South 13
- Log in to post comments
0
