Central Catholic makes history
Vikings rout Penncrest 15-3, advance to semifinal game against Crestwood
Central Catholic sought to secure history in Saturday’s PIAA Class 2A lacrosse playoff showdown against District 1 champion Penncrest.
Well, not only did veteran coach Dan Dolphin’s Vikings become the first team — boys or girls — from District 11 to reach the state’s semifinal round; it did so with an overwhelming performance that no one wearing green and gold will soon forget.
Senior scoring star Jack McGorry scored seven goals and Central Catholic routed the helpless Lions, 15-3, at Marple Newton High School in Newton Square.
The Vikings (21-1) advance to Tuesday’s PIAA semifinal game against District 2 champion Crestwood at a site and time to be determined.
“I told the boys in the huddle after the game,” said Dolphin, whose 2017 and 2018 teams lost in the state quarterfinals, “‘you just made history, fellas, because you’re the first District 11 team to make it to the state semifinals.
“It’s quite an honor. We’re going to be representing the entire Lehigh Valley and we’re real happy about that.”
“We’re very excited,” said junior defensive standout Chuck Kuczynski. “A lot of teams have come before us and lost. We really wanted to make it a goal to get past this round.”
This one was a major mismatch from the start.
Central Catholic scored twice against
Penncrest (14-8) in the opening 74 seconds as McGorry got the Vikes’ ‘O’ cranked up with a scorcher into the net with 11:07 left in the quarter. In total, they tallied eight in the first 12 minutes, with McGorry recording the hat trick.
Dolphin’s Vikings opened up a 13-1 lead by intermission.
Central Catholic won 13 of the 14 faceoffs in the opening half and committed only two turnovers.
“I told the boys at halftime that was the best first half of lacrosse I’ve ever seen at any level,” Dolphin said. “Whether it’s high school or college. I mean, we did nothing wrong.”
“We knew all week,” McGorry said, “we wanted to start fast against these guys. We jumped out quickly, but we knew we had more work.”
McGorry tallied his seventh and final goal in the final 60 seconds of the third quarter. The entire second half was played under the running-clock mercy rule.
Senior Tyler Schifko and junior Ben Scandone combined for four goals and three assists, and four Vikings — Nick Pomajevich, Matt Odenthal, Josh Moyer and Caiden Shaffer — scored a goal each. Sean Farrell added three assists.
Dolphin also cited the play of defenders Kuczynski, Mason Maxism and Jack Keenan, as well as the effort of senior goalie Ike Davis.
Perhaps the only negative for the Vikings was the ejection of junior defensive starter Mike Driscoll, part of a second-quarter scuffle that saw a player from each team ejected. Driscoll
will miss Tuesday’s state semis.
Jason Poole, Kyle Ridpath and Trey Pompetti scored goals for coach Wayne Matsinger’s Penncrest squad.
“This is definitely what we’re capable of,” said McGorry, who is up to 81 goals for the season. “The perfect all-around game. When we’re playing as a team and as one unit, we’re pretty dangerous.”
“We have tons of talent on this team and a lot of guys who are stepping forward right now,” said Kuczynski. “Everyone has really bought into the season and everything is going to the goal of the state championship.”
The talent is proven. McGorry signed to play at St. Joseph’s University, Schifko at the University of Utah and Kuczynski verbally committed to Syracuse.
Now, the Vikings will try to become the first District 11 team to reach a state final.
They’d appear to have an excellent chance in the PIAA semifinals against Crestwood, a 12-11 winner over District 3’s Susquehannock in another quarterfinal played on Saturday.
Emmaus mercy-ruled Crestwood 14-2 in a game played on April 20.
“We’re playing really well, some of our best lacrosse,” McGorry said. “Hopefully we’re not finished yet.”
PIAA BOYS LACROSSE
CLASS 2A QUARTERFINALS
CENTRAL CATHOLIC 15, PENNCREST 3
Central Catholic 8511— 15
Penncrest 0102—3
Central Catholic: Goals: Jack McGorry 7, Ben Scandone 2, Tyler Schikfo 2, Nick Pomajevich, Matt Odenthal, Josh Moyer, Caiden Shaffer. Assists: Sean Farrell 3, Scandone 2, Schifko, Augie Barr, Liam Drake, Steven Ambrogi. Shots: 31. Saves: Davis Ike 8, Chris Pez 0. Penncrest: Goals: Jason Poole, Kyle Ridpath, Trey Pompetti. Shots: 21. Saves: Andrew Wickman 4.