Baim’s OT goal lifts Wissahickon over Springfield-Montco

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SPRINGFIELD >> Owen Baim decided to try a different approach in overtime.

“All game I was shooting low. I got him the first time for a goal and then I kept getting stuffed low down right,” the Wissahickon sophomore said. “So coach pulled me over to the side in the third quarter and told me to shoot high.”

Getting some open space to move forward, Baim took a few steps before unleashing a blast into the top of the net at 2:30 in the extra period as the Trojans hung on after a fourth-quarter charge from Springfield-Montco to come away with a 5-4 Suburban One League American Conference boys lacrosse win Tuesday afternoon.

“This win is huge,” Bain said. “We’ve come close in so many games earlier this season, haven’t been able to finish. It feels great to finish and get the win.”

Bain finished with two goals and an assist in the tight, defensive contest as Wissahickon (6-11, 5-3 conference) earned a second straight win, giving a boost to its chances to make the District 1-AAA tournament. The Trojans were 25th in the latest power rankings, one spot out of the 24-team postseason field.

“We don’t have as much depth as we expected to this year, so we had to play a lot on the field and put some guys in situations that they might not be comfortable in,” Wissahickon coach Dan Layfield said. “But overall the team has really come together these last couple games. This was a must win to even have a chance at playoffs.”

Trailing 3-1 after three quarters, Springfield (11-4, 4-4) twice rallied to pull level but could not take the lead. The Spartans had possession late with the score even 4-4, but twice had low shots denied by Wissahickon goalie Cooper McMaster. Springfield never got an offensive opportunity in overtime.

“That’s one of the better games we’ve played,” Spartans coach Hank Resch said. “Wissahickon’s a quality team we haven’t beat in a long time. Usually, we had trouble being in games with them sometimes but today we played very well. I thought we were toe-to-toe with them. So it’s a tough one to lose.”

Both teams have SOL American matchups Thursday. Springfield hosts Plymouth Whitemarsh at 3:30 p.m. while Wissahickon is home against Upper Moreland at 7 p.m.

“Our schedule got a little harder this year. We’ve had to play some tough teams like Bishop Shanahan and Downingtown East,” Beim said. “But we’ll be fine. Hopefully we’ll get in the playoffs and beat them.”

Paul Richardson had a goal and an assist for Springfield, which had its two-game win streak snapped. The Spartans came into Tuesday sixth in the District 1-AA power rankings. Twelve teams make the AA tournament — the first as PIAA went from one to two classes in lacrosse beginning this season.

Springfield has already posted a school record for victories as the Spartans play to honor senior captain Nick Bond, who died Feb. 6 from head trauma after collapsing the previous day following a club ice hockey game.

“I kind of feel like this is kind of his doing,” said Resch of Bond. “I’m just sorry he’s not here to see it. I’ll tell ya I’m not kidding when he said ‘Oh we’re going to be good,’ and I was just like you got to be kidding. So, it a tribute to him as much as anything else.”

A boost for the Spartans this year has been the return of Princeton-bound senior George Baughan — who missed his junior season due to an ACL injury.  The long stick midfielder pulled Springfield to within 3-2 with his goal at 11:41 in the fourth. The Spartans  knotted the game 3-3 when Richardson found Nick deQuevedo open in front of the net at 6:36.

“I think they got their confidence for whatever reason,” Resch said. “They started to figure out they could play with those guys, match up with them and they got a little more confidence. And hopefully they’ll continue to fell that way. I just said they just seemed to come to life a little bit.”

Wissahickon retook the lead at 5:59 later as John Dunn scored off a Baim assist. Springfield responded just 17 seconds later long stick middie Brian Maienshein driving then finding Richardson for a goal and a 4-4 game.

But the Spartans could not collect the go-ahead strike in the final minute of regulation and in overtime Baim provided a rip from distance to collected the victory.

“Our defense came up huge with many stops and I knew on offense we had to put one it and that’s what we did,” Baim said.

Baim gave Wissahickon a 1-0 advantage at 9:25 in the first quarter with the Trojans doubling the lead at 7:30 on Pat Halligan’s strike off a Dunn assist.

Springfield’s Will Kaufman came from behind the net to score at 4:28 in the opening period. Neither side score the rest of the first half, giving Wissahickon a 2-1 edge at the break.

“Both defenses are really big, really skilled. I mean their defense is all big guys that are throwing a lot of hard checks,” Layfield said. “So, they had a good defensive game plan as did we.”

The Trojans collected the lone goal of the third quarter — Tommy Clements getting a ball to Dickson to put the to make it 3-1 at 9:25.

Wissahickon 5, Springfield-Montco 4 (OT)
Wissahickon 2 0 1 1 1 — 5
Springfield-Montco 1 0 0 3 0 — 4
Wissahickon Goals-Assists: Owen Baim 2-1; John Dunn 1-1; John Dickson 1-0; Pat Halligan 1-0; Tommy Clements 0-1.
Springfield-Montco Goals-Assists: Paul Richardson 1-1;  George Baughan 1-0; Nick deQuevedo 1-0; Will Kaufman 1-0; Brian Maienshein 0-1.

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Mike Cabrey

Mike Cabrey
Mike Cabrey is the Assistant Sports Editor for The Reporter and Montgomery News. Email him at mcabrey@thereporteronline.com.

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