BUCKINGHAM — Central Bucks East’s strong start on Thursday afternoon had lasting effects.
“Once we score goals off (Nils Updale’s) face-offs, it gets him going,” said the Patriots’ Nicholas Knepp. “It gets him really excited so it’s like a domino effect there.”
The Patriots jumped out to a 4-1 lead and battled to a 6-5 advantage after a big surge by Souderton Area in the second quarter. CB East stayed the course, found its rhythm in the second half and pulled away to a 13-10 victory in the District 1-3A Second Round.
“Once we got that go-ahead goal (to make it 6-5) and we started moving in the second half and we switched the momentum, it really got us going,” said East’s Luke Christmas.
Souderton watches from the sideline during its playoff game with CB East on Thursday, May 19, 2022. Kev Hunter, MediaNews.
The win advances the eighth-seeded Patriots to a quarterfinal matchup at top-seeded Radnor on Saturday. A tremendous season for No. 9 Big Red came to a close.
“They beat a good Great Valley team in the first round and I have a couple buddies on that team and I knew they were gonna come out firing,” Knepp said of Souderton.
The Patriots gained a much stronger grasp on things in the third, with goals by Christmas sandwiched around a tally by Thomas Williams, bolstering the lead to 9-5.
Williams had a hat trick for the Pats, as did Christmas. Matthew Bowen, Knepp and Adam Volm each scored twice in a balanced effort.
“It feels amazing. We lost in the second round last year so it felt great to have a bye and come out strong today,” said Knepp. “We have a big game against Radnor on Saturday so hopefully we can come out and play well.”
Souderton huddles after its game with CB East on Thursday, May 19, 2022. Kev Hunter, MediaNews.
Tyson Bui poured in six goals for Big Red, with John Martin Vince adding a pair.
“Our boys went out and gave it our best,” Big Red coach Craig Hunsberger said. “Unfortunately, (East) came out a better team and they played a little bit more mistake-free than we did. We’re looking forward to next year and getting back to work.
“I can’t say how proud I am of all the work this group has put in, throughout the season to get us here. It’s been one of the hardest working teams that I’ve ever coached with or been a part of. I can’t say enough about them. Their ability to just go to practice and go to work and work extra hard and grind, and do sprints after games and sprints after practice. It was just something to behold.”
District 1-3A Second Round
#9 Souderton Area 1 4 2 3 – 10
#8 CB East 4 2 4 3 – 13
Souderton goals-assists: John Martin Vince 2-1, Tyson Bui 6-0, Jamison McDivitt 1-2, Sean Landis 1-0.
CB East goals-assists: Matthew Bowen 2-0, Nicholas Knepp 2-2, Adam Volm 2-0, Vihaan Patel 0-1, Nils Updale 1-0, Luke Christmas 3-1, Thomas Williams 3-1.
