Keim gives North Penn big win over CB West

DOYLESTOWN >> In about three minutes Nick Keim went from the goat to hero for the North Penn boys lacrosse team in Friday night’s huge matchup between the Knights and Central Bucks West.

With just over three minutes to go in the critical Suburban One League Continental Conference contest, the junior got the ball, after several bizarre bounces, that sent him in one-on-one with CB West goalie Stephen Hogan with all kinds of time. The senior captain for the Bucks robbed Keim of a golden opportunity to give the Knights the go-ahead goal.

But with 25 seconds to go in the game Keim got his redemption. After taking a cross crease feed from fellow attack Nick Conroy, who received a nice feed from Owen Kelly, Keim buried the ball into the back of the net, sealing the 6-5 win for the Knights.

“Right before we broke the huddle from the timeout I said to him ‘you’re going to go win this game’,” North Penn coach Rick Smith said.

Although he was beat by Keim for the game winner, Hogan was excellent for Bucks. The senior made 12 saves on the game many with a high degree of difficulty.

Not to be outdone North Penn goalie Matt Rinck was up for his task as well. The junior keeper made 11 saves of his own several of them crucial.

“I think overall at the end of the day our defense and our goalie did an outstanding job,” Smith said. “Hogan, their goalie, played really well. A low scoring game like that one bouncehere or there (can make the difference).”

Although Keim netted the game winner the offensive star of the game was Luke Homan. The senior attack had a hand in three of the first four goals in the game for the Knights.

“Luke Homan did a great job, but I think everyone did,” Smith said. “We’re not a one-man machine. I’d like to think that everyone contributed tonight.”

What a difference a year makes for North Penn. After finishing 7-11 last season the Knights didn’t even sniff a game of the importance of Friday night. Now the Knights are in position to possibly win the conference as they sit at 5-1 on the conference and 10-1 overall.

“Our guys have put in a lot time and hard work into this offseason and I’m just so happy for them,” Smith said. “They’re working super hard and the wins are coming now. They’re not easy. Our league top to bottom is a very competitive league.”