North Penn edged Pennridge in the SOL opener for both squads. Check out Wednesday’s results. North Penn/Pennridge photos provided by Kim Supko. Upper Moreland/PW photo provided by Kathy Leister Photography. Check back for photo galleries of both games.
SOL National Conference
NORTH PENN 10, PENNRIDGE 8
As conference openers go, they don’t get much better than this one for the Knights, who edged neighboring rival Pennridge.
“This was huge,” NP coach Rick Smith said. “We were 2-4, and we beat Downingtown East last week, and we’ve just kind of been chipping away.
“We’ve not really been playing as a team. I believe we’re starting to make that turn now. We’re starting to play as a team, we’re believing in each other. It definitely was a nice win. Overall, when it’s all said and done, I think the difference in the game was – we scored three pretty quick goals, and we were up 3-0.”
The Knights led 4-3 after one quarter and took a 6-5 lead into halftime. They outscored the visiting Rams 3-0 in the third quarter to go into the final frame with a 9-5 lead and then withstood a Ram comeback attempt.
“Unfortunately, we did not play a complete game,” Smith said. “At the end of the game, we made some decisions that are very uncharacteristic of us as a program, and we put ourselves in the penalty box at the end of the game, and Pennridge capitalized on it.
“Pennridge had four or five man-up goals against us, and that’s just from lack of discipline on our part. We have to play a complete game, we have to play with composure the whole game, and unfortunately, our emotions got the best of us. We’re playing Pennridge – it’s always a rivalry, it’s always a great, fun game to coach.”
Conor Young (three goals) and Lucas Yannul (three goals, one assist) led the Knights’ attack. Stephen Rinck added a goal and two assists while RJ Macnamara, Jack Kim and Danny Payne each contributed one goal. Jake Homan and Jake Nelson both had one assist.
A key to the Knights’ win was the play of freshman Will Morrow at the face-off X where he won 15 face-offs.
“He did an outstanding job today getting us a lot of possessions by winning face-offs,” Smith said. “Our leader on the field tonight in a non-verbal way was Will Morrow winning the face-offs. If we have the guy who’s winning the face-offs, if we have possession of the ball, the other team can’t score.
“Will Morrow at the face-off as a freshman going out in an intense game like Pennridge, and he did very well tonight. I’m very happy with the way he played.”
Byron Rimmer recorded nine saves in goal for the Knights.
“It’s our first league game, and Pennridge – that’s a tough league game to start off your season,” Smith said. “We always, always, always have tight games. To compete with a quality team like Pennridge – it was two good teams playing lacrosse tonight, and it was fun to coach in.
“Pennridge is an outstanding team, well coached, and I’m very proud of the way our team came out tonight. We played with energy the whole game. I just have a sour taste in my mouth because of the way we ended the game as a team, but overall, I’m pleased with the way they played. I’m very happy for our kids.”
North Penn (3-4, 1-0 SOL) will be on the road at Central Bucks South on Friday, and Pennridge (4-3, 0-1) will host Pennsbury on Friday.
Pennridge 3-2-0-3 8
North Penn 4-2-3-1 10
SOL American Conference
UPPER MORELAND 5, PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 3
Non-league
CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 9, HATBORO-HORSHAM 6
The visiting Titans earned the non-league win.
For the Hatters, Jason Kleintz scored two goals and assisted on two others while Ian Reilley had three goals and an assist. Michael Brown added a single goal. Joe Brophy had four saves for the Hatters.
Central Bucks South (5-3, 1-0 SOL) will host North Penn on Friday, and Hatboro-Horsham (1-7, 0-1) will travel to Plymouth Whitemarsh Friday.
COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 13, QUAKERTOWN 2
Philip Mignacca scored eight goals and also scooped up nine ground balls in a standout performance to lead the Golden Hawks to the non-league win. Sal Mastromarco added two goals and six ground balls while Chase Patterson, Daniel Scannapieco and Kyle Gartenmayer had one goal each. Jake Brossman was credited with three ground balls.
Patterson was also 3-for-3 on face-offs while Zak Prosmushkin was 5-for-11.
The visiting Panthers battled to the Golden Hawks to a scoreless tie after one period, but the Hawks erupted for six second-quarter goals and never looked back.
“We started well, which is a great change from our previous games,” Quakertown coach Jay Donis said. “But we need to put four quarters together.
“CR South made some adjustments and that made the difference in the game."
Council Rock South (6-1, 1-0 SOL) will travel to Harry S Truman Friday, and Quakertown (4-4, 0-0) will be on the road at Wissahickon on Friday.
Quakertown 0-0-0-2 2
Council Rock South 0-6-3-4 13
ABINGTON 18, FRANKFORD 3
About the Author
