N.penn earns two wins over Pennridge
After falling to Pennridge 11-8 earlier in the season, the North Penn boys water polo team held a powerful Rams offense to just a single goal Tuesday evening in the rematch, as the young Knights continue to improve dramatically as the playoffs approach.
“This is a different North Penn team than we faced before,” Rams coach Ken sincent said. “They really have the heart but also the skill, and they brought the experience to this game. This is a team that is going to be very VLJQLficDQW DW WKH (DVWHUQ Conference Championships, and we are going to have to get our game together to be competitive with them. They’re fantastic.”
North Penn’s 5-1 win completed a sweep of the doubleheader at Pennridge, as the Maidens won the opener, 10-4, over the Rams.
The Knights shut out the Rams in the second half of their contest and build steadily upon an early 2-0 lead. Goals by Thanas Kountroubis, Brett Else, Liam Kelly and a pair by Justin severka cemented North Penn’s seventh win in nine games.
Shane Hennessey’s four steals helped frustrate Pennridge on the offensive end and keep the Knights (9-11) in control.
“We were trying to do this from Day One,” Knights coach Jason Grubb said of the defensive effort. “Our defense was a little weak at the beginning of the year — gave up a lot of easy goals to teams. We’re starting to clean everything up.”
The Rams (9-4) got some solid play in net from Jake Gordon and Kevin McDonald, and a team-high four steals from Mike Lawson. Jon Spehar scored the lone Rams goal in the second TuDUWHU.
“Our guys played fantastic defense but the offense was a bit lacking today,” sincent said.
The Maidens (18-2) had their offense going earlier in the evening, led by Aspen Trautz and Brittney Patterson, who scored three goals each.
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Chelsea Weiss led Pennridge (9-6) with a pair of goals.
“We have a lot of girls who are jelling together and are learning,” Rams coach 5yDQ GULIfiWKV VDLG. “:H’UH relatively young in our skill set. The more they practice and the more they go after things, they’ll be able to pick up that game speed.”