Check out the recaps for SOL boys/girls lacrosse teams in action Thursday. CR South/Neshaminy photos provided courtesy of John Gleeson. Check back for a gallery of photos.
Boys
Pennridge 9, Unionville 8
Defense won the day late for the Rams, who held the Indians without a fourth quarter goal in the comeback win.
"I think we played really solid 'D' in the fourth and were able to execute on a couple extra-man situation," Pennridge coach JP Banks said. "The whole game was a real battle. That's a very good, well-coach Unionville team."
Pennridge's defense – which consists of Brandan Howell, Danny Hart and Johnnie Banks on the long poles and Luke Yoder as a short-stick defensive midfielder in front of goalie Austin Swartley – put up the zero as the Rams rallied from an 8-6 deficit at the start of the quarter.
Swartley made seven saves in goal to pick up the win.
The group's veteran experience came through in a big way. Howell, Hart and Banks are all seniors and have started the last three years, although Hart is actually a four-year varsity starter.
“It was just one of those back and forth games with a bunch of runs,” coach Banks said. “We both had our chances in the fourth quarter.”
Yoder missed the start of the season while helping the basketball team reach the state title game then another day shaking off an illness but has bounced back quickly to solidify the defense.
Logan Lazasz paced the Rams offense with three goals while Kevin Britner had a four-point night scoring two goals and assisting two. Jack Garner also added two goals for Pennridge with Nick Fanelli and Matt Nevells each putting one away to round out the scoring.
Unionville had scored with just 30 seconds left in the third for a two-gaol edge, but Pennridge quickly regained momentum. Britner found Fanelli a minute into the final quarter to slice the lead to one. Garner then tied it up with 9:36 left.
The winning goal wouldn't come for another eight minutes.
"Both teams had penalties, both teams had man-downs and did a great job. It was really a defensive battle for the last nine minutes," Banks said. "We just happened to break through on a man up."
Lazasz scored the game-winner with a pass from Britner with 1:33 remaining
Shane Hartzell came up clutch on the X all game for Pennridge, winning 14-of-17 face-offs and also dropped back to help out defensively.
Pennridge (3-1) will host Wilson in a non-league game Saturday at 7 p.m.
PENNRIDGE 2 2 2 3 – 9
UNIONVILLE 2 4 2 0 – 8
Neshaminy 10, Holy Ghost Prep 9 (OT)
It took a near-buzzer beater to even get there, but Neshaminy found a way to win a gut-check game in overtime on Thursday.
"In a tense and hard-fought back and forth contest, Noah Weiman scored with one second on the clock on an in-bounds sideline feed from Luke Sermarini to send the game into overtime," Neshaminy coach John Donato said. "Charlie Potash, who was heroic taking on most of the face-off duties and winning 14 of them, went out and won the faceoff at the start of the OT."
Neshaminy called a quick timeout to set up what would be the winning possession.
"Connor McVey took a feed up top from Luke Sermarini and fired the winning goal just 31 seconds into the overtime to end a guts-and-glory backyard neighborhood battle," Donato said.
McVey's heroics capped off a day where he led Neshaminy with four goals and an assist.
Neshaminy was down two key players, but rallied to come back late in the game.
"Mason Demi, Joey DeMatteo, and John Owczarzak made significant contributions," Donato said. "Team captains Nick Donato, Luke Sermarini, and Ryan Maher keep their teammates energized and believing in themselves."
Noah Weiman and Ryan Maher each scored twice for Neshaminy. Nick Donato and Luke Sermarini both contributed a goal and two assists.
Donato was pleased with his team's response late in the game despite a sloppy second half that allowed the Firebirds to hold a lead in the final minute.
"We did not play very disciplined lacrosse in the third and fourth quarters mishandling passes and losing the ground ball battles, allowing for Holy Ghost Prep to control their offensive half and taking a 9-8 lead with under three minutes remaining," Donato said. "Holy Ghost is an excellent team and is very well coached, and they had a sound game plan against our attack. Their goalie is a top-line player and they have a terrific all-around midfielder in Ben Morschauser (six goals)."
Preston Backhaus and Doug Lang led the defensive effort for Neshaminy in front of Garrison Toto, who made 14 saves.
Neshaminy (3-1) will host Roman Catholic in a non-league game Monday.
Springfield Township 10, Upper Moreland 1
The Spartans led with their defense in a convincing win over the Golden Bears.
"Ryan Wilsbach and Dillon Donnelly played good defense and cleared the ball well," Spartans coach Hank Resch said. "Goalie Paul Asman played all four quarters and played well."
Springfield, which won eight of 10 face-offs, got a hat trick from Zach Coppol to pace the offense. Nic Pugliese scored two goals, as did Wilson Krewson and Paul Richardson. Trey DuBoise rounded out the scoring for the Spartans, who led 5-1 at half and posted a shutout in three of the four quarters.
Springfield Township (2-1) will host Upper Dublin in its SOL opener Tuesday, and Upper Moreland (0-5, 0-1 SOL) will host Plymouth Whitemarsh on Wednesday.
SPRINGFIELD TWP 4 1 4 1 – 10
UPPER MORELAND 0 1 0 0 – 1
Saucon Valley 17, Quakertown 5
In a battle between Panthers, it was Saucon Valley's complete game that was too much for Quakertown.
Ben McGann paced the Quakertown offense with a hat trick.
"Saucon Valley out-played us everywhere and they deserved their win today," Quakertown coach Jay Donis said. "We need to show more determination as we look forward to three games next week."
Quakertown (4-1) will travel to New Hope-Solebury Monday for a non-league contest.
SAUCON VALLEY 6 6 4 1 – 17
QUAKERTOWN 1 2 1 1 – 5
Girls
Pennsbury 11, Souderton 7
A low-scoring first half gave way to a lot of goals in the second, but the Falcons' early lead helped them come away with the win to cap off three games in three days.
“Three tough games – they’re exhausted," Pennsbury coach Shannon MacPherson said.
Maddy Spratt was the catalyst for Pennsbury, scoring three goals and assisting on four others as one of four players with multiple goals. Emelie Curtis also had a hat-trick, adding two assists while Lexie Snyder and Sarah Walcott each scored two goals with an assist and Maggie Golder rounded out the scoring with a goal and assist.
Celia Dolan played a strong game in goal for the Falcons, saving 10 shots.
Defense ruled the day in the first half. For the game, Souderton goalie Lauren Scott made 14 stops and her defense caused nine turnovers.
"It was scoreless for a good portion of the first half. It was a very back and forth game," MacPherson said. "We were turning the ball over, we were panicking on attack, we weren’t making the smartest plays. We called a timeout and told the girls – take a deep breath, settle down and play your game. After that, they started picking it up and playing Pennsbury lacrosse like they know how to play.”
Pennsbury never trailed, but they also never put Souderton away. The Indians tied it 6-6 early in the second half, but the Falcons were able to regain and hold their lead.
“Souderton was still scoring until the end of the game. They were making their comeback. Souderton played a great game," MacPherson said. "They were an aggressive team. They fought to the very end. They wanted to win too and they worked really hard.”
The Indians were paced by Riley McGowan's three scores. Sophia Sclafani scored two and Clark Trowbridge and Lauren Kenah each tallied one for Souderton.
Pennsbury's defensive unit of Caitlin Doyle, Olivia Pogyor, Ava Riccardi, Samie Hackman and mids Darrien Furiness, Maggie Golder and Maddy Spratt were key in keeping the lead in the second half.
“Our defense played a great game. All of them worked very well as a unit – their crashes were there, they were denying the shot," MacPherson said. "Everything we told them to focus on they were fully executing. The defense really kept us in the game tonight, and out goalie came up with 10 saves tonight, so that was huge."
Pennsbury (4-2, 0-1 SOL) will host Council Rock South Monday, and Souderton (3-1) will travel to Springfield Township Saturday for its league opener.
PENNSBURY 4 7 – 11
SOUDERTON 1 6 – 7
Council Rock South 15, Neshaminy 4
CR South started strong and never looked back in picking up a road win on Thursday.
"Great team 'W'," Golden Hawks coach Madison Hurwitz said. "We came out with a ton of energy."
Claudia Steinmetz had a big afternoon for CR South with five goals and an assist. Rianna Shield matched Steinmetz for point total, scoring four goals and assisting on two others.
Kristen Lee and Carley Irvin each found the net twice while Irvin also helped three teammates deposit a goal. Carissa Longmire, Izzy Mendes and Katelyn Cocco all notched a goal while Cailey Hirscox and Lauren Mitchell were each credited with an assist.
Council Rock South (3-1, 1-0 SOL) will travel to Pennsbury Monday, and Neshaminy (3-3, 0-1) will travel to North Penn Monday for a non-league game.
COUNCIL ROCK SOUTH 7 8 – 15
NESHAMINY 3 1 – 4
North Penn 19, Walthamstow (England) 6
The Knights broke into the win column, doing it with an all-around team effort against their guests from England.
"In the fall, Laurie Merkle from Methacton asked if we would be interested in playing them," North Penn coach Heather Mellow said. "Her team was hosting them for a couple days and they were looking for another local team to play."
Although North Penn, which led 14-2 at the half, won big, they were tested by the English side.
"They were better than the score depicts," Mellow said. "They had a really nice player that took the draw. Quick team, good stick skills."
Emily Varilla, Alli Lindsay and Grace Sacchetti all posted a hat trick and all added two assists. Lily Szilagyi was the fourth Knight to net a hat trick. Casey Cavanaugh was strong on the circle, collecting eight draw controls to go with a goal and assist.
Kat Rimmer scored one and assisted two others and Kristin Varilla had a goal and assist. Amy Patkos, Riley Pickford, Alex Fein and Shannon Haedrich all scored for North Penn.
Ashley Lambert picked up the win in goal, making five saves.
"We had dinner with them afterwards with all things Philly/PA minus cheesesteaks – hoagies, Philly pretzels, tomato pie, Tastykakes," Mellow said.
North Penn (1-4) will host Neshaminy in a non-league game Monday.
NORTH PENN 14 5 – 19
WALTHAMSTOW 2 4 – 6
Hatboro-Horsham 10, Central Bucks East 9
Saucon Valley 18, Quakertown 1
About the Author
