PJP primed for 1st playoff win
ROYERSFORD » It’s been a season of firsts for Pope John Paul II’s lacrosse program.
The Panthers started the season with the program’s first victories over Pioneer Athletic Conference contenders Owen J. Roberts and Perkiomen Valley —wins that propelled them to their first PAC Final Four appearance.
Tuesday, PJP had the opportunity to not only play but host their first-ever District 1 Class 2A playoff game—an opportunity that the Panthers turned into a strong start in their first District game against Phoenixville.
The game, which was suspended with 1:40 remaining in the third quarter due to repeated lightning strikes, featured PJP taking a 6-2 lead on the strength of three goals from Kyle Donovan and a complete defensive performance.
The contest will resume Wednesday at Phoenixville starting at 3:30 p.m. If PJP can close out the victory, the Panthers will earn themselves another first. Thursday, they would travel to take on state powerhouse Radnor, a perennial Central League contender and the No. 3 seed in District 1. The Raiders are only three years removed from a PIAA all-class state championship (separate tournament for 2A/3A didn’t start until last year.)
Defensively, PJP dominated from the start, forcing Phoenixville into repeated firstquarter turnovers on failed clears. When the Phantoms were able to advance into the offensive box, the Panthers’ long sticks clamped down, only requiring goalie Noah Balliet to make two first-half saves.
Eric D’Agostino drew first blood for PJP at 7:59 of the opening quarter, followed by Donovan’s first score just a minute into the second stanza. Ignacio Ortiz broke the ice for the Phantoms at 9:19, before a Donovan shot took a fortunate deflection off a Phoenixville defender for his second of the quarter.
Throughout the game, the Panthers made the little plays, successfully clearing the ball on eight of nine first-half attempts and dominating on ground balls. Nick Russo’s hustle play in the final moments of the half preserved PJP’s two-goal margin, as he stripped the ball from a Phoenixville attackman looking to take advantage of an unsettled situation.
“We’re focusing on the ground ball battle, riding hard with our attackmen ... just the nuances of the game,” said PJP head coach Blase Cesarone.
After the break, PJP’s defense continued making life miserable for the Phantoms, causing three early turnovers, the last of which resulted in a Justin Kent tally. Phoenixville’s Bobby Batten responded in a man-down situation at 5:26 to bring the Phantoms back within two goals, but Donovan’s third of the game came just 35 seconds later to push the Panthers back to a three-goal advantage, 5-2.
Matt Cressman added to the PJP lead just as the horn sounded to indicate a weather delay with 1:40 to play in the third quarter.
The winner of the matchup— whether PJP or Phoenixville— is scheduled for Thursday at Radnor. Cesarone knows the key to victory for his Panthers—in Wednesday’s conclusion or any future contests— lies in another defensive performance like Tuesday’s.
“We have plenty of faith in our defense, and we’re comfortable with the ball in their sticks, quite frankly,” he concluded. “We need to keep executing on offense, putting in a few more goals.”