Canon-Mac Lacrosse Loses to Greensburg Central

By Gary W. Beam

The hopes of a Division 2-Section 1 championship for the Lacrosse team were dampened significantly last night in Westmoreland County as the Big Macs suffered a disappointing 10-9 loss to the Greensburg Central Catholic Centurions.

Canon-Mac would need to win its final three games and Greensburg would need to lose both of its remaining games in order for both teams to finish with two section losses. However, Canon-Mac would have a better winning percentage within the section than Greensburg (.800 vs .750) because the Big Macs would have played two more section games. A win last night would have allowed the Big Macs to determine their own destiny, but it just wasn’t to be.

Canon-Mac got off to a fast start as Ben Ward scored only eight seconds into the game and when Tyler Slovik scored with only 44 seconds left in the first quarter; the Big Macs took the lead at 3-2. However, as has been a bugaboo all season, the Big Macs gave up two late period goals both in the last seven seconds of the first quarter and Greensburg took the lead 4-3.

The late goals gave the Centurions significant momentum as they scored the next three goals marching themselves to a 7-3 lead. But Canon- Mac responded by scoring two goals before the half ended, closing the deficit to 7-5.

Led by Matt Maletta’s three consecutive goals in the first five minutes of the second half and Connor Niemeyer’s tally just 23 seconds after Maletta’s last goal, the Big Macs forged into a 9-7 lead and everything seemed to be going their way. But that old bugaboo showed its face again and Greensburg netted three straight goals in the last 2:48 of third quarter.

The scene was set for the final quarter but defense prevailed on both sides of the field and the Big Macs only managed three shots on goal, the lowest total for any quarter this year. A scoreless final period gave the Centurions a hard-fought victory.

It was a well-played game with only four penalties and could well be a precursor to the Division 2-Section 1 playoffs. The Big Macs quest for those playoffs is next on their radar as they finish their regular season with three remaining home games.

Friday night is Senior Night against Baldwin, the only other team to beat the Big Macs this season.

In the Senior Spotlight

In recognition of Senior Night, meet three more seniors of the Canon-McMillan Lacrosse Team:

#30 David Franz

David, better known to his teammates as “Quags,” lives in and is a midfielder for the Big Macs. This is Davis’ first year playing lacrosse, however he has also played baseball in previous years.

#20 Andrew Hendal

Andrew lives in and is a midfielder for the Big Macs. This is Andrew’s second year playing lacrosse for CMHS and has also participated in football, soccer and baseball. He regards his grandparents as his role models.

#34 Terrell Knight

Terrell is proud resident of the east end of and is a midfielder for CMHS. This is Terrell’s first year participating in lacrosse for the Big Macs and has also competed in track and basketball. He regards his mom as his role model.