Seventy days.
That’s how long it had been since Allentown Central Catholic defeated Central Bucks East 10-8 in the season opener for both teams. It took only minutes for the Patriots to establish that there would be no reruns when the two teams met in a PIAA Tournament quarterfinal game at Governor Mifflin Intermediate School on Saturday.
By halftime, the Patriots led 6-1, and they extended that lead to 9-3 before the Vikings scored three late goals.
“I think it helped us to play them before because we did not play this as a divisional contest,” coach Bruce Garcia said after his team’s 9-6 win. “We played this more as an emotional contest.
“We lost two players in that game. It was our first outing out. We lost the game, and it probably helped us the rest of the season losing that game. We played this as ‘We want to set the record straight’ type of game rather than any kind of divisional contest where the winner moves on and the loser is done for the season.”
The Patriots certainly established their superiority in Saturday’s showdown, and the key, according to Garcia, could be summed up rather easily.
“Ground balls,” the Patriots’ coach said. “The key was owning them and controlling the tempo of the game, and we did just that.
“I feel that we pretty much dominated them.”Setting the tone for the Patriots’ dominance was junior Ian Gill.
“Ground balls were key in this game,” Gill said. “Our team was destroying the other team in ground balls.
“We all kind of rallied around each other after every big play and every ground ball. I think ground balls definitely won it for us today. I don’t know the exact statistics, but we won the large majority, and that was a really big booster for our team, and it got everyone real fired up when we were winning all the ground balls. It takes a lot out of the other team too.”
Sean Reilly’s ability to win face-offs was another key.
“The face-offs were crucial, and Sean Reilly was about 80 percent if not 85 percent on face-offs,” Garcia said. “We may have missed maybe one or two face-offs, but that’s about it.”
Once again the Patriots boasted a balanced scoring attack with Conor McSherry, Parker Self and Ryan Whitney each contributing two goals. Whitney also had an assist. Blake Ament, Ethan Debuque and Chris Vetter each added single goals. Vetter also had an assist as did Matt Heim. East’s Harrison Holak turned away 11 shots in goal.
“The tempo of the game was always in our favor,” Garcia said. “There were a couple of goals we gave up in the fourth quarter where the defense was relaxing.
“They got a couple of quick goals, but the whole rhythm of the game did not change. We had a very good outing. We did well.”Walking away with the game ball for the Patriots was Gill.
“He’s finally got his role down,” Garcia said. “He stood up, and he played lights out and played very, very well.”
Gill was a late arrival on the scene, joining the team in early April after transferring from the Hun School.
“It was actually a pretty smooth transition because I knew the program at East,” he said. “I knew a lot of the players. I grew up playing with everybody on the team.
“I was just happy to be a part of something that is so good. There’s a lot of team camaraderie, and everyone plays their heart out. I didn’t really have that at my last program. I really enjoyed it. I think it was one of the best decisions I ever made.”
When Gill came on board, he saw some action on attack, but as the season went on, he was asked to help shore up the defense.
“We were getting killed on transition at times, so I took the role of defensive middie,” he said. “It was a new role for me this year.
“I started taking a lot of defensive runs late in the season, and since the playoffs started, I’ve taken it upon myself to get out there and take on the defensive role and basically do anything I can to stop the other team from scoring as many goals.”
Gill admits it’s been quite a ride since he came on board in April.
“It’s been incredible,” he said. “Just driving home from the game today was insane.
“The feeling is incredible. I’ve never experienced anything like this.”
Saturday’s win not only avenged the Patriots’ early season loss to the Vikings, it also set up a rematch with district champion Conestoga in Tuesday’s semifinal contest at Harriton High School at 2 p.m.
“This was definitely a huge win,” Gill said. “We were trying not to look past these two games, but ever since the district final, I think everyone on our team was thinking we want to play ‘Stoga again.
“The past two games have been stepping stones for ‘Stoga, and I think we’re all pretty fired up for this game coming up Tuesday."
*Photos provided courtesy of Central Bucks East lacrosse.
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