Devon Prep tops Conwell Egan to stretch PCL streak to four straight

TREDYFFRIN >> It’s not quite an obsession – not yet anyway — but the Devon Prep lacrosse squad is quite focused on not just getting back to the District 12 2A Championship Game for the third straight year, but winning the crown.

“It’s a push,” said Tide head coach Mark Consolo. “This is one of the youngest groups we’ve had, but the hunger to get to the district championship and trying to take the next step is there. That is the goal, but it is so far out there.”

Through the first third of the 2023 regular season, Devon Prep is certainly on schedule. With Wednesday’s 15-6 triumph over visiting Conwell Egan, the Tide have won four Philadelphia Catholic League matches in a row and are 4-1 in the standings (5-4 overall). The lone setback was to powerful St. Josephs Prep, and the non-league slate was very challenging.

“There is a lot of really good young talent on our team,” said goaltender Cole Brassington, the lone senior on the Devon Prep roster. “I think this season might be our best shot out of all three seasons to get that district championship. But the hard work never ends.”

Two-time defending district champion Lansdale Catholic could be the major hurdle once again, but for now the Tide are simply building. And if the first quarter on Wednesday was any indication, Devon Prep has the ability to dominate.

“Our ultimate goal is to beat Lansdale Catholic, and I think we have a pretty good shot at it,” said junior midfielder Eammon Donovan. “I think this is the year. We have a bunch of young guys and we have a bright future ahead of us.”

It started with five early goals in a span of just over seven minutes, and then another surge of four consecutive goals to end the opening period put the Tide in front 9-1. The potent duo of Donovan, and junior attacker Nick D’Alessandro, had a hand in all nine. Donovan scored four times and had two assists, and D’Alessandro had three goals and an assist.

“It was one of the best starts we’ve had all season,” Donovan acknowledged. “Everything was firing. We were playing fast, forcing turnovers, getting out in transition and moving the ball. That allowed us to score a lot of easy goals.”

And even though Devon Prep only outscored the Eagles (1-3, 2-4) by one goal the rest of the way, the outcome was never in doubt.

“We were trying to work on some things, and Egan still kept competing,” Consolo explained.

Eight of the Tides’ 15 goals came off an assist, with Donovan (three) and junior Nick Walton (two) leading the way. And that pleased Consolo.

“We are trying to push these guys to be more unselfish and look for the extra pass,” he said. “Today it started to click a little better, which is nice to see. Having all of those assisted goals is important.”

Donovan wound up with a game-high six goals, D’Alessandro finished with four and freshman Declan Sullivan chipped in with three for Devon. Especially in the early going, the Tide scored a lot of goals on the counterattack.

“We try to push the pace and the intensity,” Consolo said. “To see what is rewarded through hustle and playing fast, that reinforces the message that it’s the way to do it. These guys are recognizing that. It’s definitely an identity these guys are starting to develop.”

Devon Prep finished with a 24-16 edge in shots on goal. Dillon Farrell and Brian Jeter had three and two goals, respectively, for Conwell Egan.

The Tide have three freshmen and three sophomores in the starting rotation, and the junior class is loaded. For the elder statesman, Brassington is finding that leading the team has not been an issue.

“I’ve gotten quite close to some of the underclassmen and they’ve helped me out with leadership aspects,” he said. “It feels lonely sometimes being the only senior, but I do have good guys helping me out.”

 

Devon Prep 15, Conwell Egan 6

Conwell Egan                                   1 2 2 1 — 6

Devon Prep                                      9 1 4 1 — 15

Conwell Egan goals: Farrell 3, Jeter 2, Cardi.

Devon Prep goals: Donovan 6, D’Alessandro 4, Sullivan 3, Kane, Pascale.

Goalie saves: Conaway (CE) 8; Will (CE) 1; Brassington (DP) 5; Gale (DP) 5.