By Alex Frazier
Non-leagueNorth Penn 14, Neshaminy 2
Although it was a non-league game, the struggling Knights (0-5) finally saw the light of day. After losing three one-goal games, they got their first win.
“The boys played so well today,” said North Penn coach Rick Smith. “Finally they came together as a team. Through losing, they became stronger. It made them better. They became a family and they wanted to fight together.”
After giving up two goals in the first half, North Penn held the Redskins scoreless the rest of the way.
As Smith said, “Our defense was our offense.”
That defense started on faceoffs as Sean Adams gave the Knights possession on 13 of 20 draws.
“We were winning the faceoffs and they took good quality shots,” said Smith.
Chris Anton and Adam Wreath teamed up for three goals apiece to lead the Knights. No fewer than 11 players contributed to the scoring.
“It was a complete team effort today,” said Smith. “They played four full quarters of lacrosse.”
Dan Gross (2 G), Dan Kohler (2G, A), Chris Young (2G, 2A), Sean Adams (G, A) and Kyle Heining (G, 2A) completed the scoring for North Penn.
“The boys were hungry and deserved it,” said Smith. “Hopefully this will build their confidence and more wins will come. We made a great step today.”
Neshaminy’s Alex McKenzie and Connor Bishop notched the Redskins’ lone goals on assists from Dillon Richards and Austin Transue.
Austin Marshall stopped 14 shots for Neshaminy, while his North Penn counterpart Mike Tappen saved 11.
"North Penn came out hard and wanted the win more then we did and it showed all over the field,” said Neshaminy coach Josh Hanlon. “Their coaching staff and players did a great job.
“Even with that we are pretty disappointed with our performance. We were very undisciplined with 10 minutes in penalties and played lazy. We are eager to get out to practice and work towards the next game. That is what makes lacrosse fun."
National Conference
Abington 10, Council Rock North 5 (Tuesday, April 12)
The Ghosts held off the upstart Indians in the second half to claim their second league win.
Abington was up 6-4 at the half and gave up just one goal the rest of the way, that coming with two players in the penalty box.
With the score 6-5, the Abington defense, led by Anthony Greco, who came up with 10 ground balls, clamped down and held CRN scoreless for the last 20-plus minutes of the game.
Rock goalie, Mark McDonald kept the Indians in the game with 15 saves.
Brian Fitzpatrick scored twice for the Indians.
Abington benefitted from the scoring of seven different players, led by Ryan Ambler (3G, 2A), Brian Gallagher (3G), Matt Lomady (2G) and Max Malloy (2G).
“We capitalized on the opportunities we got offensively,” said Abington coach Randy McNeill. “We were able to shut them down in the second half.”
Pennsbury 16, Harry S. Truman 5
The Falcons sprinted to an 11-0 lead at halftime and never looked back. Pennsbury used a balanced attack to keep the pressure on Truman in the opening half.
Andrew Probst had a hand in five goals with one goal and four assists. Calvin Hopkins and Ricky Jutkiewicz each contributed the hat trick. Colin Sullivan (one assist) and Luke Matthews both contributed a pair of goals. Sean Heilferty, Evan Caterson, Ryan McDonald, Chris Johnson and Sean McDonald each scored one goal. Matt Sullivan had a pair of assists for the Falcons.
Jeremy Ghost and Matt Sullivan led Truman with two goals each. Jared Kline added a single goal while Kyle Katz and Gordon McDonough each contributed an assist.
Truman’s Tyler Brennan came up with some big saves, turning away 16 shots. Pennsbury’s Drew Sweetland had nine saves.
Continental Conference
Central Bucks West 8, Hatboro-Horsham 6
Bucks goalie Jake Ross came up with a big game to help West avenge a pair of losses to the Hatters last year.
The win might have been even sweeter since Hatboro coach John Banks was an assistant at West last year.
The game was tied at three at the half.
West took the lead in the third and held on the rest of the way, thanks in part to Ross, who stopped 14 shots.
“They bring a lot of heat on the ball and have some superior shooters,” said West coach Matt Coverdale. “He made some clutch saves for us.”
Coverdale also said that a key to the game was ball control, especially in the second half.
“That helped us get our opportunities,” he said.
Johnny Kirchner scored a goal and collected 12 ground balls. Jack Firriolo scored one goal and chipped in four assists and Spencer Macquarrie added two goals.
Junior attackman Jake Durkin led the Hatters with three goals.
“To their credit, they never backed down, never folded,” said Coverdale. “They came at us with everything they had. They have a lot of great shooters and ball handlers.”
Souderton 15, Pennridge 9
You can always expect a rough and tumble game when these two neighboring rivals take the field.
Wednesday night was no exception.
“The game got a little rough at times,” said Souderton coach Todd Pettit, “but you can expect a lot of flags and intensity when these two teams meet. We were a little more composed, especially in the second half.”
Playing on their home field, the Indians took an early 5-1 lead and rode that cushion to a victory.
The Rams managed to close the gap to two, but Souderton’s Grant Nice turned in a sparkling performance in the second half, while midfielders Ridge Schultz and Nick Judge controlled the faceoffs, giving Souderton key offensive possessions.
“Our offense carried us today,” said Pettit. “We finished our opportunities, which we haven’t been doing lately.”
Bryan Ziegler led the Souderton attack with seven goals and an assist, while J.P. Carroll chipped in three goals and an assist and Ridge Schultz added a pair of goals.
Friday the Indians take on another local rival, North Penn, which is beginning to show signs of life after an 0-5 start.
Central Bucks East at Central Bucks South, postponed until Friday
Hatboro-Horsham 9, Pennridge 8 (Tuesday, April 12)
Brothers Jimmy Durkin (3G), and Jake Durkin (2G, 5A) accounted for five of the Hatters’ goals. Kevin Sweeney added a pair.
For the Rams Eric Fernandez notched four goals, Jon Matz had two, as did Matt Brown.
Central Bucks East 8, Central Bucks West 7 (Monday, April 11)
CBE (6-1) took a 7-2 lead at the half and then backed off, perhaps prematurely as West (5-1) stormed back, outscoring the Patriots 5-1 in the second half.
“It was a hard-fought battle – closer than we wanted,” said East coach Bruce Garcia. “Sean Reilly and Chris Schneckloth did a fantastic job with faceoffs.”
Warren Kuhn led East with a pair of goals and an assist. Six other players scored single goals. Matt Brodzik came up with three assists.
For West, Evan Gervais recorded a hat trick, Gabe Ferrara scored twice and Spencer Macquarrie and Jack Firriolo each hit the net once.
East goalie Sean McSherry turned aside six shots, while Jake Ross of West stopped nine shots.
“We started off a bit too aggressive in the first half,” said West coach Matt Coverdale. “Too many penalties got us in a big hole against a very good team.”
American Conference
Cheltenham at Norristown, postponed until Thursday at 3:30 p.m.
Upper Merion 10, Wissahickon 5 (Tuesday, April 12)
Over the past few years, Upper Merion and Wissahickon have had quite a few battles. But this year the Trojans have been decimated with key injuries and are forced to go with a younger lineup, which was reflected in the outcome.
“I was impressed with their young guys,” said Upper Merion coach Brady McCormick. “They didn’t quit.”
Indeed, after being down 5-1, Wissahickon freshmen attackmen Brooks Melvin and Luke Gomez made a third and early fourth quarter push netting three goals, but it wasn’t enough.
“The losses are obviously not where we want to be right now,” said Wissahickon coach Anthony Gabrielle, “but with our youth and lack of depth, we are playing hard and not giving up throughout the game. Each day we are taking steps forward. Our kids are playing with heart right now, which tells us we will continue to improve.”
The Vikings’ Lorran Dacosta shot extremely well, scoring three goals, and Trevor Kupecky netted two, despite being hounded by Beau Gomez.
“I was happy with his play,” said McCormick.
Luc Minnich also added three goals and an assist for Upper Merion, and Bobby Boyk added a pair of tallies.
Conor Crowe made five saves on eight shots, while Wissahickon goalie Peter Carrozza was 6 for 16.
McCormick praised his defense, especially since only one player is a returning starter. A second is a converted midfielder and the other two are brand new.
“The newer guys are playing at a high level,” he noted.
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