Check out the boys and girls lacrosse results for SOL teams in action on Tuesday. To view photos of the Upper Merion/Norristown game, please visit the Photo Gallery.
Boys Lacrosse
UPPER MERION 20, NORRISTOWN 5
Doing the little things.
That’s the theme for this year’s Viking squad that hopes to improve on last year’s 7-10 season.
“We’re trying to make the playoffs, come out strong at the beginning and finish off strong at the end of the year,” junior Nick Shendge said. “We just have to keep working hard at practice and at games.
“Today we just came out and tried to execute – run our plays and hold the ball on offense,”
The Vikings controlled Tuesday’s league opener from the outset, opening up a 5-3 lead at the end of one quarter and taking an 11-4 lead into halftime. They outscored the Eagles 9-1 in the second half.
“It was closer at halftime than it should have been,” McCormick said. “It’s a good microcosm for what the season is going to be – doing the little things to ensure that we can stay with every team that we play, and we can.
“We absolutely have the talent, and it’s not just the two big names. We have a lot of talent on offense. We have some younger guys on defense, but they’re very, very talented, and it’s just a matter of them growing into their skills.”
Upper Merion’s two ‘big names’ delivered in a big way on Tuesday. Trevor Kupecky, bound for Hofstra, had a hand in 11 goals, contributing one goal and 10 assists. Mikey Zadroga, who has made a verbal commitment to Marquette, added four goals and three assists.
But they had plenty of help.
Shendge (three goals, one assist), Jack Rosenfeld (two goals, two assists), Tyler Thornton (four goals) and Joe Mintzer (four goals) each had four-point games. Chris Jordan and Paul Salamy added single goals while Andrew 
McQuirns had an assist.
“I think we have better movement on offense this year,” said Mintzer, a junior captain. “We’re working on holding the ball, not giving the ball up, limiting the turnovers and playing smart.
“In a game like today, you want to set the tempo, but once you’ve got the comfortable lead, you want to work on things you’ve been struggling with – just make sure you move the ball, avoid dumb mistakes and towards the end, make sure you get the younger guys runs. Defensively, there’s room to improve, and on offense, there were drops we shouldn’t have had.”
One players who has been a pleasant surprise this season is sophomore Tyler Thornton.
“He’s really, really developed,” McCormick said. “He’s really, really impressed me.
“He was a third line middie last year on varsity, and we rarely run a third line. He’s just really, really stepped up. He’s our left attack, and he’s been really big for us. It’s just making sure everyone is continuing to develop and is doing what they’re supposed to do.”
Upper Merion goalie Troy Minnich was credited with 12 saves in a winning effort.
Sean Calhoun led the Eagles with three goals and one assist. Mike Smith had a pair of goals, and Carson Lucard had one assist.
While the Eagles fell to 0-1 in SOL play, the Vikings (1-0) are hoping Tuesday’ win is the first of many for a team that lost a large number of seniors from last year’s squad to graduation.
“We always work hard in the offseason,” Mintzer said. “You have to have different guys step up.
“We have three new captains, so that’s a big change. You just have to make up for the loss of leadership and try to get a new mentality.”
SOUDERTON 7, NORTH PENN 6
The Indians have shown a flair for the dramatic in the opening week of the season, following up Saturday’s overtime win over Lansdale Catholic by eking out a nail biter in Tuesday’s SOL opener against the Knights.
In Tuesday’s win, the Indians rallied from a 5-3 halftime deficit to earn the victory. Tyler Macdougall (two goals, two assists) and Cameron Trick (two goals) led the Indians’ attack. Collin Asbury, Drew Nice and Hunter McGowan each added one goal. Defensively, the Indians were led by McGowan and Chris Malanga. Goalie Remi Reeves was credited with 13 saves.
For the Knights, Adam Wreath scored four goals, and Matt Brady and Kyle Neinig each added single goals. Alex Kopcho had two assists. Chris Burr turned away 15 shots in goal for the Knights.
The Indians upped their record to 3-0 overall (1-0 SOL) while the Knights are 1-1 overall (0-1 SOL).
UPPER DUBLIN 7, WISSAHICKON 3
The Trojans led 1-0 at the end of one quarter, and the two teams were deadlocked 2-2 at the intermission. The Flying Cardinals turned up their offensive and defensive pressure in the second half, outscoring the Trojans 4-1 in the third quarter and 5-1 in the half.
Michael Sowers led the Cardinals with a four-point effort, contributing two goals and two assists. Michael Rama added two goals and one assist, and Drew Potts had two goals. Zach Hanson had a single goal to close out the scoring.
Jack Deragon turned away 11 shots in goal for the Flying Cardinals.
Upper Dublin is 1-0 in the SOL while the Trojans are 0-1 (1-1 overall).
RADNOR 9, PENNSBURY 3
Radnor jumped out to an 8-0 lead at halftime and led 9-0 heading into a final quarter that saw the Falcons battle back and score four goals. Scoring goals for the Falcons were Grant Montgomery, Lyle Arvanites and John Conte. Jack Benziger and Zach Abraham both contributed assists.
Pennsbury goalie Phil Jutkiewicz turned away 13 shots in a busy day, and the Falcons defense hung tough, according to coach Jaime Huber, fighting off an aggressive Radnor offense with the help of some excellent goaltending from captain Jutkiewicz.
Girls Lacrosse
HATBORO-HORSHAM 11, CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 9
The Hatters lost the nucleus of last year’s SOL Continental Conference squad to graduation, but they still boast plenty of talent and hope to be in the hunt for another conference title. The Patriots, under first-year coach Dipi Bhaya, are looking to make some noise in conference play as well.
In Tuesday’s SOL opener at Hatboro, the two teams found themselves locked in quite a battle with the Hatters opening up a 7-6 halftime lead and holding on for the win.
Rachel Rausa led the Hatters with six goals while Maria Guerra added two goals, and Annette DeSipio, Jane Henry and Casey Swezey each contributed single goals. DeSipio, Swezey and Liz Portell each had an assist.
Hatboro coach Duncan Swezey credited Colby Eldridge and Jenna Cutilli for doing a nice job of controlling the ground balls and putting pressure on East’s offense.
The Patriots were led by the six-point effort of Mary Kate Schwartz, who contributed four goals and two assists. Julia Norek accounted for East’s remaining five goals. Kat Miller had one assist.
East’s Alana Rivas had a pair of assists and also was credited with 17 saves in a busy night in goal. Hatboro goalie Jackie Giovanazzo was credited with six saves.
The Hatters are 1-0 in the SOL while the Patriots are 0-1.
UPPER DUBLIN 16, NORRISTOWN 3
The reigning American Conference champions got off to an impressive start, opening up a 10-1 halftime lead on their way to the big win. Three players – Julie Cross, Taylor D’Ginto and Anna Trentini - contributed four goals each for the Flying Cardinals. Cross also had four assists in an eight-point effort while D’Ginto had two assists and Trentini, one assist. Rachel DiFrangia added two goals and two assists, and Kayla Mullen had one goal and one assist. Sam Boyd added one goal, and Erin Russell was credited with an assist.
Megan Grande led the Eagles with a pair of goals while Natalie Mitchell had one goal.
“It was great to be on the turf instead of the mud today,” Norristown coach Stacie Staufenberg said. “Both teams could play hard without fear!”
The Flying Cardinals are 1-0 while the Eagles are 0-1.
CENTRAL BUCKS SOUTH 13, PENNRIDGE 7
The Titans sprinted to a 9-2 halftime lead on their way to the win in Tuesday’s SOL opener.
The Rams received two goals from Leah Alcott, Taylor Dachowski and Aerin McHugh. Jess Csaszar added one goal. Pennridge goalie Danielle Nichols was credited with eight saves.
The Titans are 1-0 in SOL play (1-1 overall) while the Rams are 0-1 in the league.
PENNSBURY 13, BAYARD RUSTIN 9
Jen Sweeney turned in a six-point effort to lead the Falcons, contributing five goals and one assist. Kelsy Gumbert added two goals and two assists, and Carson Smith had two goals and one assist. Joy Hopkins and Alyssa Matthews both had one goal and one assist, and Missy Frankil and Anna Cruser closed out the scoring with one goal each.
Pennsbury goalie Liana Eyre was credited with nine saves, and coach Kelly White credited the standout defensive efforts of Kelly Devlin, Ali Hickman and Keir Degnan.
The Falcons are 1-0 on the young season.
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