BUCKTOWN >> Owen J. Roberts’ boys’ lacrosse team had a literal up-and-down start to the 2024 season.
The Wildcats alternated wins and losses in their first half-dozen contests before suffering consecutive defeats last week in a pair of one-goal games.
But OJR got back on track with a convincing 11-5 win at home over Methacton on Tuesday, evening their record at 4-4 and improving their mark in PAC play to 2-1.
Gabe DellaPenna’s six-point night (three goals, three assists) led the way for OJR, who separated from visiting Methacton during a 5-1 third quarter run.
Danny Walker added a hat trick of his own, while Justin Daubert had two goals for the victorious Wildcats.
Daubert started his dominant (13-for-19) faceoff performance with three consecutive wins, scoring two goals himself in a five-second span as OJR cashed in each possession, roaring to a 3-0 start in the first two minutes.
The junior midfielder’s quick start was representative of his role as a full-field player this year. As a freshman, Daubert was primarily a faceoff specialist, but was among the Wildcats’ leaders in total time played in the midfield on Tuesday.
“I do like this role better,” he admitted. “I like to contribute to the team wherever I can.”
But Methacton would hold the ‘Cats scoreless for the next 15 minutes thanks to a renewed defensive effort led by senior Joey Simko and goalie Wyatt Stemler (10 first-half saves).
In the meantime, Lukas Reger struck twice for Methacton, narrowing the lead to 3-2. DellaPenna replied to break the OJR drought midway through the second stanza, and the Wildcats would maintain the two-goal advantage at the break.
DellaPenna had four points (two goals, two assists) in the decisive third quarter.
It’s been a prolific start to the season for DellaPenna, who stands among the leaders in District 1 goal scoring (31 tallies in only eight games after Tuesday’s victory). He also picked up his 100th career goal last Saturday.
“Our offense is high paced altogether this year as a whole,” said DellaPenna. “We’ve really taken a step up and it’s contributing to everyone scoring more goals. I feel like I’m getting the opportunities, and as a team we’re making the most of it.”
DellaPenna and his senior teammates have been through plenty of change in their four years as OJR lacrosse players, with new head coaches in each of their first three seasons and corresponding fluctuations in team success.
But in head coach Kevin Mo’s second year, the Wildcats are enjoying increased familiarity with one another and with the system — and seeing some results on the field.
“Of course, it’s difficult going from culture to culture,” DellaPenna admitted. “I think we’re capable of something special this year.”
To that point, the unquestioned highlight of the Wildcats’ early season was last week’s 12-11 win over Spring-Ford, their first victory against the PAC’s flagship program – and two-time defending champions – in years.
However, the team learned a quick lesson about putting too much stock in any one game, dropping a seesaw contest at Perkiomen Valley last Thursday before a nonleague setback against Wilson of District 3.
“It just shows we’re putting in the work, but they’re tough games,” said DellaPenna. “I think the lesson is not to be complacent. Don’t think you’re on top of the world because of one big win.”
While Methacton fell to 5-5 (2-2 PAC), the Warriors’ improvement has been apparent in the first half of the season, already equaling their win total from 2023.
In addition to wins against Interboro and Phoenixville in PAC play, the Warriors have added three nonleague victories so far — highlighted by a 5-2 win over Wissahickon, a 3A state tournament qualifier a season ago.
Mike Maro and Reger each had two goals for the Warriors on Tuesday, but their attempts to rally were undone by the combination of the tough Wildcats defense and few too many turnovers of their own doing.
“We tried to throw them a wrinkle with our zone, we trusted Wyatt (Stemler) back there,” said Warriors coach Ryan Pannella. “But we didn’t get the goals to match in the second half. We need to get more ground balls, move the ball better.”
On the whole, Pannella’s happy with Methacton’s progress thus far, but to reach his state goal of playing meaningful lacrosse into May, the coach knows his squad needs to improve in games like Tuesday’s.
“We reached our first goal, that was winning our first game,” he said. “But our second goal is getting to the PAC playoffs. Now we’ve dropped one to PV and OJR, and those are two of the teams that are going to be there at the end.”
BOX SCORE
Methacton (5)
Mike Mero 2 goals
Lukas Reger 2 goals
Levi Borkowski goal
Christian Kay assist
Max Little assist
Wyatt Stemler 14 saves
Owen J. Roberts (11)
Gabe Dellapenna 3 goals, 3 assists
Danny Walker 3 goals
Blake Walther 2 goals
Justin Daubert 2 goals, FO 13/19
Dan Sbei goal
Brody Calle 2 assists
Nolan Brown assist
Owen Clefisch assist
Logan Brower assist
Chad Young 8 Saves
