SOL Boys’ Lacrosse Wrap (3-15-24)

Check out the recaps for SOL boys’ lacrosse teams in action Friday. Souderton/Emmaus photos courtesy of Michael Rice. Check back for a gallery of photos: https://solsports.zenfolio.com/f900124885

SOL National Conference

CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 11, COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 7

The Golden Hawks closed out the first half with a three-goal run and took a 4-2 lead into halftime. They appeared to be in a good position when they upped that lead to 5-2 with a goal early in the second half. That’s when the tide turned, and the rest of the game belonged to the Patriots, who closed it out with a 9-2 tear for the win in the SOL opener for both squads.

East junior Adam Volm scored a team-high four goals while teammate Thomas Williams had a hand in five goals, scoring a pair and assisting on three others to lead the Patriots to the win. Sophomore Jackson Jagoda was credited with 16 loose balls controlled while teammates Patrick Coleman and Tristan Smith both had five. Adding four each were David Crespo and Dean Blackwell.

Also contributing to the scoring for the Patriots were junior Michael Smallwood with two goals and one assist while Blake Bishop and Evan Riley both added a goal and an assist. Ryan Atkinson scored a single goal, and Crespo chipped in an assist.

Rock South goalie Billy Houser was credited with 20 saves in a strong outing. Owen Dillon paced the Golden Hawks’ attack with two goals and three assists. Also contributing were MJ Fenney (1g,1a), Jack Schink (1g,1a), Conor McCaffery (1g) and Joey Smith (1g).

Central Bucks East (1-0 SOL) will host Downingtown East in a non-league game on Tuesday at 5:15 p.m. Council Rock South (0-1) will be on the road at Father Judge for a non-league game Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.

Non-league

NESHAMINY 12, HATBORO-HORSHAM 9

What a difference a year makes.

One year after falling to the Hatter 8-2, the Redskins withstood a fourth-quarter comeback attempt by the visiting Hatters to notch the hard-earned win.

“They beat us pretty good last year, so to come back and beat them this was good,” Neshaminy coach John Donato said. “They did lose a lot of seniors, and we really didn’t know what we had this year. To come out the first game of the year and score 12 goals and come away with a win is nice.”

Leading the Neshaminy attack were Colin Demi and Jack McVey. Demi finished with four goals and three assists while Jack McVey added three goals and three assists.

“Colin Demi excelled on the offensive end, and Jack McVey was very steady offensively throughout the game,” Donato said.

They weren’t the only players who excelled for the Redskins.

“Jack Sexton displayed his elite athleticism throughout the contest, especially in the clearing game and ground ball battle,” Donato said. “Aziz Abdurakhmanov, a newcomer to the faceoff X, won 10 draws in his debut.”

Also contributing to the scoring for the Redskins were Ryan DeMatteo with a goal and two assists while Cayden Weaver and Brian Birmingham each had two goals. Sexton had one assist.

The Redskins, who led 3-2 after one quarter, took a 6-3 lead into halftime and appeared to be in command after a 6-1 third quarter put them on top 12-4. The Hatters owned the fourth quarter, outscoring their hosts 5-0.

“We played a strong third quarter but digressed somewhat with our stick skills in in the fourth and committed numerous undisciplined penalties – we were a man down a good portion of the fourth quarter,” Donato said. “Hatboro, to their credit, continued to battle and controlled the offensive half and shot efficiently while cutting into the lead. Although in the end, it was a good opening day win.”

Neshaminy (1-0) will travel to Conwell-Egan for a non-league game on Monday, and Hatboro-Horsham (0-1) will be on the road at North Penn for a non-league game Tuesday at 7 pm.

Hatboro-Horsham 2-1-1-5 9

Neshaminy 3-3-6-0 12

COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 11, ABINGTON 4

The visiting Indians turned a 3-2 halftime lead into a decisive win, outscoring the Ghosts 8-2 in the second half.

“Our ride made the difference – our ride took over in the second half,” Rock North coach John Fitzpatrick said. “Their goalie – Corey Tobin – kept them in the game.”

Andrew Zazoff led the inspired Rock North attack, finishing with six goals, two assists and three ground balls. Liam Dudley added a hat trick with one assist and two ground balls. Billy McBride and Tim Gracey each had one goal. McBride also was credited with three ground balls.

The Indians’ defense was on top of its game. Kurken Arpajian was one of four players with four caused turnovers. He also had nine ground balls in a standout effort. Tyler Rodowicz had four caused turnovers and five grounds balls while Logan Atkinson and Charlie Rambo both also had four caused turnovers. Atkinson had four ground balls and Rambo, three ground balls.

EJ Allian had a big day at the faceoff X, winning 12 of 18 faceoffs. He also had eight ground balls.

Jason Boyd had a big game in goal for the Indians, recording 16 saves in a winning effort.

Council Rock North (1-0) will travel to Neshaminy for Tuesday’s SOL opener at 5:15 pm, and Abington (0-1) will host Strath Haven Monday in a non-league game.

UPPER MORELAND 15, HARRY S TRUMAN 3

Kevin Messina had a big day for the Golden Bears in Friday’s season opener, scoring five goals and assisting on two others to lead UM to the non-league win.

Aiden Tuff also was a force on attack, finishing with three goals and three assists. Long stick midfielder Frankie Sebold added three goals and an assist, and Paul Fell had two goals and two assists.

Liam Fatizzi assumed the role of facilitator for the Golden Bears, assisting on four goals and scoring once. Travis Quirk also had a goal for the Golden Bears, who opened up a 7-1 halftime lead on their way to the win.

For the Tigers, Robert Krystofolski had a pair of goals and also was credited with three ground balls and one caused turnover. Chris Glover led the Tigers with 12 ground balls and also had a goal and an assist while Connor Freer chipped in an assist and also had two ground balls.

Truman’s Jake Talj won 11 of 22 faceoffs (50 percent) and also had three ground balls. Chase Tuttle was credited with six ground balls and two caused turnovers. Truman goalie Thomas Bryson was credited with 25 saves and had a 62.5 save percentage.

Upper Moreland (1-0) will travel to West Chester East for a non-league game Tuesday, and Harry S Truman (0-1) will host Upper Darby in a non-league game Monday at 4 p.m.

Harry S Truman 0-1-1-1 3

Upper Moreland 3-7-3-2 15

EMMAUS 9, SOUDERTON 8

Souderton’s season opener was a roller coaster of emotions.

The Indians found themselves on the short end of a 5-2 score after one quarter but rallied with three unanswered goals in the second to go into halftime deadlocked 5-5.

The second half followed a similar pattern. Emmaus outscored the Indians 4-1 in the third quarter to go on top 9-6 and then withstood a comeback attempt by the Indians in the fourth quarter to hold on for the non-league win.

Peyton Bannak had a big night at the faceoff X for the Indians, winning 12 of 19 faceoffs. He also was credited with seven ground balls.

John Martin-Vince led the Indians’ attack with five goals and one assist. Seth Grossman added a goal and three assists. Sean Landis contributed a goal and an assist, and Gavin Landis added a goal. Contributing one assist each were Max Ryon and Trey Bui. Ryon also had two caused turnovers and two ground balls.

Souderton goalie Ryan Johnson was credited with four saves.

Souderton (0-1) will travel to Boyertown on Wednesday for a non-league game.

Emmaus 5-0-4-0 9

Souderton 2-3-1-2 8