Owen J.Roberts embracing new role, routs Pope John Paul II, 15-3
Lower Providence >> The Owen J. Roberts lacrosse program found themselves in unfamiliar territory at the beginning of this season.
Since the inception of Pioneer Athletic Conference lacrosse in 2007, the Wildcats found themselves perennially battling with Spring-Ford for league titles. But last season’s 5-11 campaign forced the Wildcats to come into 2019 playing the sleeper — a team whose expectations had been lowered by outside observers.
The team has taken to the ‘new normal’ quickly. OJR’s winning streak stands at three consecutive games after Thursday’s decisive 15-3 win over Pope John Paul II.
Best of all, they find themselves off to a 2-0 start in the PAC — a league that plays a round-robin, nine-game schedule. With challenging matchups against traditional Liberty Division foes Boyertown, Methacton, Perkiomen Valley and of course Spring-Ford looming, the quick start was pivotal.
“Our mentality is to reprove ourselves,” said OJR coach Ben Carville, “and I think we’re doing it. We played two very good teams in nonleague (a 7-5 loss to Wilson and an 11-10 defeat against Unionville), but we controlled the play in those games.
“We play hard, we play complete games — it’s back to basics, do the little things well.”
Six different players tallied for the Wildcats in a dominant seven-goal first quarter. Matt Karcewski controlled the X, winning five of the game’s first six faceoffs and allowing the Wildcats to maintain possession throughout their extended rally.
Logan Clefisch (five goals for the game), Cooper Chamberlain (three goals), Ben Colt, Chris DeAnna, Mick Kilgallon, and Nick Miley each struck for OJR early, building a 6-0 lead and eventually carrying a 7-1 lead through the opening stanza. Clefisch and Chamberlain added two additional goals apiece before halftime.
“We knew we’d have to come out strong,” confirmed Clefisch. “We felt like we were a little flat at the start of our past couple games, so we emphasized the fast start today.”
Ryan Lohr scored a pair of goals for PJP in the opening half, as Luken Cisich worked to even up the possession between the two sides, claiming four of the six second-quarter faceoffs.
Clefisch picked up his fourth and fifth goals in the second half, while Karcewski and Colton Malcom tallied for a total of eight different goal scorers in the contest. Dom Romania’s third-quarter tally rounded out the scoring for PJP, which dropped to 0-4 (0-3 PAC) on the young season.
For the victorious Wildcats, now 3-2 on the campaign, each contest takes them one step further from the disappointment of 2018 and closer to their goals for this season.
“We can’t do anything about last year at this point,” added Clefisch. “We just need to use it as motivation going forward.”
Depth and scoring were two of the main concerns last year, making Thursday’s production through the lineup all the more encouraging.
“One of the most lethal things about our offense is the team balance,” said Cooper Chamberlain. “That’s been a huge point of emphasis in the offseason.”
“We set out this year to design offense that create opportunities for assisted goals,” said Carville. “Last year, it was too much one-and-done on dodges, too predictable. But we have the personnel and experience in the system now to be effective.”
Lost in the offensive explosion was a strong defensive effort led by Ryder Defibaugh, Andrew Dede and Justin Schwenk, and backstopped by Ben Hornak (four saves).
“They’re seniors, experienced, and they’re hungry,” said Carville. “Out of everyone on this team, they’ve embraced that underdog role the most.”
They’d better enjoy it while it lasts — if Thursday is any indication, the Wildcats won’t be underdogs for long.
Owen J. Roberts– 7 3 4 1 — 15
Pope John Paul II– 1 1 1 0 — 3
OJR
Logan Clefisch 5 goals
Cooper Chamberlain 3 goals, assist
Ben Colt 2 goals, assist
Chris DeAnna goal, assist
Mick Kilgallon goal, assist
Nick Miley goal
Matt Karcewski goal, assist, 10-15 FO
Colton Malcom goal
Christian Brofft 2 assists
Guistino Armenise assist
Ben Hornak 4 saves
PJP II
Ryan Lohr 2 goals
Dom Romania goal
Jack Dawson 5 saves
