In final non-league tune-up, Westtown outlasts Wilson
WESTTOWN >> It is the exact opposite of ducking quality opposition.
The Westtown and Wilson boys’ lacrosse squad’s met Saturday afternoon not because it was mandatory, but because both were looking for quality competition prior to starting the league portion of the schedule. The Moose prevailed 16-9, but the final score was almost beyond the point.
“This was a good test,” said Westtown head coach Desi Gonzalez.
“The whole reason we schedule teams like (Westtown) and others in District 1 is that we want to play teams that will prepare us to be ready for big games in our area,” added Wilson head coach Ryan Sheaffer.
After falling behind 1-0 in the early going, Westtown (6-2 overall) scored five of the next six goals to take command. And even though the Bulldogs (5-2 overall) kept fighting, and eventually sliced the margin to two midway through the third period, the Moose responded each time.
“We had some answers, but (Westtown) seemed to have another answer after that,” Sheaffer said. “We knew we would have to score goals today to keep up with (Westtown).”
Sophomore attacker Carter Brensinger scored a goal and added a man-up assist to Brady Rigdon to pull Wilson within 8-6. But moments later Westtown’s Matt Hamill scored, and then sophomore Donavan Fraher made it 10-6 in the final 10 seconds of the third quarter.
“We were running some (substitutes in), and Donavan (Fraher) is a guy we’ve been trying to get to produce all season,” Gonzalez said. “He is finally starting to get comfortable here.
“To see guys like that being able to stride in during competitive game situations and rise to the occasion is what we are going to need moving forward.”
The Moose then outscored Wilson 6-3 in the final period, including two goals by junior midfielder Kolby Koran, to close it out. At this point of the clash, depth seemed to be a factor.
“Even into the fourth we still felt like we were in it,” Sheaffer said. “I am proud of my guys for battling, but Westtown wore us down. They get going in transition and they are really, really good.”
Hamill led the way with four goals and two assists, and junior Xander Maxwell added three goals and an assist. Koran, Noah Snyder (Marquette recruit) and Chrishawn Hunter (Syracuse) each chipped in two goals.
“This was a good game to boost morale and confidence,” Hamill said. “I thought we did pretty well.
“One thing about this group is we have no quit, no matter what the score is, or how much time is left.”
Coming off an emotional 18-7 win over Penn Charter, Westtown is now prepared to open the Friends League slate with a road game at once-beaten Academy of the New Church on April 13th. The Moose have also topped Ches-Mont teams West Chester Rustin (18-7) and Unionville 14-4) in the non-conference.
“After a big win against Penn Charter, it’s always difficult to go right into another battle, and Wilson brought it and showed that we still have a lot of holes to fill,” Gonzalez said. “But now we have a nice little five-day break before we face ANC.”
Senior attacker Seamus Breslin paced the Bulldogs with two goals and two assists, and Brensinger added two goals and an assist.
The battle in the circle was relatively even (16-12), but Westtown’s Aiden Kammerer and Henry Clark had an 11-4 edge in the second half. And Moose keeper Arjun Gill stopped six of 10 shots in the second half. In addition, Westtown was playing without injured senior standouts Josh Ricci (signed to play collegiately at Long Island University) and Ian McKinley (Catholic University).
“We’ve played some good teams. Now we know our wrinkles and we feel like we’re prepared for ANC,” Hamill said.
“We have a great group on offense and on defense, and when we mesh, we feel like no one can stop us.”
Westtown 16, Wilson 9
Wilson 2 2 2 3 — 9
Westtown 3 4 3 6 — 16
Wilson goals: Breslin 2, Brensinger 2, Geissler, Bornais, Rigdon, Denhall, Renninger.
Westtown goals: Hamill 4, Koran 2, Snyder 2, McKinley, Maxwell 3, Fraher, Hunter 2, Combs.
Goalie saves: Rada (Wilson) 8; Gill (Westtown) 10.
