PIAA Class 2A Boys Lacrosse: McDougall, Penncrest learn from district loss, move on past Trinity
MIDDLETOWN — The minute Dylan McDougall let it slip, he knew the potential consequences. He also remained aware of one meaningful chance for redemption.
Convinced Penncrest would win a District 1 lacrosse trophy in a championship-game showdown with Marple Newtown last week, he confidently stated – for print – “We got this.”
Turns out, Penncrest didn’t, settling for second place – then using it all as one important teaching moment. By Tuesday, when they subdued Trinity in the opening round of the PIAA Class 2A tournament, 14-7, it was clear the Lions had been sufficiently educated.
“We didn’t dwell on it,” McDougall said after contributing three goals and an assist as the Lions improved to 14-6. “We get past that. We take our beating and we keep moving. I know I said that. It’s on me. Maybe I jinxed us. But maybe we’ll see them again.”
If so, that wouldn’t occur until the state championship game in another three rounds. As for Tuesday, they were focused on Trinity, the No. 3 seed out of District 8 with just the appropriate edge to counter the ever-aggressive Lions chilling hit for chilling hit. Though the Shamrocks were staggered early, they joined with the Lions in entertaining the fans with a rugged spectacle.
Before ending their season at 17-5, Trinity committed 12 penalties, few of the gentle variety. Penncrest committed seven infractions, including an unsportsmanlike conduct indiscretion that took one of its goals off the board. By the final three minutes, there was relentless hacking by both teams, yet with it the back-door potential for some respect.
“That’s what keeps it interesting, though,” McDougall said, smiling. “That’s what we like.”
It is one of the characteristics that has the Lions three victories from a second consecutive state championship. But so is alert goalkeeping, and Luke Pyle-Ballak was spectacular Tuesday, making 22 saves. Then there is the attack, typically led by Jason Poole, who provided five goals and two assists Tuesday.
“He is,” Lions coach Wayne Matsinger said, “an amazing player.”
Poole was at his best in the second period, scoring three goals, two in the final 38 seconds, the third with six seconds left on a feed from McDougall.
“We definitely had something going early, and I think that really gave us energy to keep it going through the game,” Poole said. “And I love playing with Dylan. We are always on the same page and we’re always connected.”
Brennan Kaut provided two goals and an assist, Chas Katz scored twice, Matt Ferry and Spencer Tyson contributed a goal apiece, and Zach Douglas and Cody Woolery supplied an assist apiece.
For Trinity, Rajbir Chima scored back-to-back second-quarter goals, and Croix Teter matched that trick in the third. Anthony Bartolli, Matthew Kennedy and Evan Scott added a goal apiece, and John Long was remarkable in net, making 11 saves.
The Lions will advance to the quarterfinals and a Saturday challenge from Quaker Valley, a seven-seed out of District 2.
“We kind of slacked off toward the end of the season,” Poole said. “We went into the Marple game a little big overconfident. Stuff just happens. But now we are going to work hard and bounce back.”
The Lions bounced back quickly Tuesday, scoring the first four goals and never being in serious peril. As for the style of the game, they were up for that, too.
“You get into a state bracket and the quality of play is up,” Matsinger said. “There are big aspirations, and they came a long way to get down here. In the big scheme of things, one team’s season came to an end tonight. And of course, emotions flare and it gets chippy. That’s lacrosse. You weather the storm.”
The Lions were disappointed in their loss to Marple Newtown, but weathered that moved one game closer to a possible rematch.
Are they ready to make a run?
“Definitely,” McDougall said.
As usual, he meant it.
