Canon-McMillan Falls to Char Valley in Lacrosse

By Gary W. Beam

The lacrosse team hosted the Chartiers Valley Colts Thursday night at Canon-Mac Stadium in a very big Division 2-Section 1 game.

The Colts came into the game with a half-game lead over the Big Macs, with 5-2 and 4-2 records, respectively. The winner would clinch a second place finish in the division and assure themselves a home game in the upcoming playoffs. The stage was set and even Comcast was present to record the game for future broadcast next week on its On Demand channel.

But what could have been a night to remember became a night to forget as the Big Macs squandered a 7-1 advantage and eventually succumbed to the Colts' speed and tenacity, losing 14-9.

After the Colts struck first with a goal four minutes in to the opening quarter, Canon-Mac ran off seven consecutive goals, including three by Matt Maletta and two each by Andrew Hendal and Ben Ward, to build up a 7-1 lead. The Colts appeared to be staggered by the Big Mac onslaught and with Hendal’s second goal with only 51 seconds remaining in the half, it seemed that the knock-out punch may have been delivered. But with only six seconds left in the half, the Colts scored and the Big Macs settled for a five-goal lead at the half.

The late goal ignited Chartiers Valley and they came out with a vengeance, scoring 43 seconds into the second half and Chartiers Valley onslaught began. They scored again just 20 seconds later and coupled with six Canon-Mac penalties proceeded to score seven more goals before the third quarter would come to a close. The 10 unanswered goals propelled the Colts to an 11-7 lead from which they never looked back and went on to a very important victory.

The win clinches second place for Chartiers Valley and leaves the Big Macs in a must-win position. Last night’s loss coupled with Seton LaSalle’s win over Baldwin forced the Big Macs to beat Quaker Valley Thursday night in order to make the playoffs. What once looked like a dream season for the 2012 Big Mac lacrosse team with their 13 victories has come down to one, winner-takes-it all game.

In the last column, this writer said that the old saying “Opportunity only knocks once, it will not come again” was not true for opportunity presents itself many times. I guess I stand corrected. Last night’s Quaker Valley game was the opportunity that the Big Macs have been presented with and it will not come again, at least not for this season. (Stay tuned to learn how the team did Thursday night.)

In continuation of recognizing this year’s Canon-Mac lacrosse seniors, meet the following players in the Senior Spotlight:

#5 Riley Poness

Riley lives in is a midfielder for the CMHS and has been playing lacrosse for two years. He has been a member of the Ski Club for the past four years. Riley received South Hills Area School Districts Association Student Performance Award and became a member of the National Society of High School Scholars. He was vice president of the Environmental Club. Riley will be attending Pittsburgh Technical Institute for Information Technology.

#4 Jake Shockey

Jake lives in North Strabane and is a midfielder for the Big Macs. He has been playing lacrosse for two years. Respected for his quickness and speed, Jake has also competed in track, soccer and baseball. He is a member of the Canon Mac Leadership Club. Jake will be joining the United States Marine Corps. Jake considers his mom as his role model.

#23 Zach Simpson

Zach is a resident of and plays defense for the Big Macs. Zach has been playing lacrosse for six years. Zach was chosen as the recipient of the 2012 Western Pennsylvania Positive High School Athlete Award for boy’s lacrosse.

Pittsburgh Steeler great Hines Ward created this award which acknowledges characteristics such as an optimistic attitude, teammate encouragement, servant leadership, heart for others, ability to admit imperfections, giving 100 percent all the time, and realizing the team as more important than the individual. He plans on continuing playing lacrosse and considers his grandfather, Vene Simpson, as his role model.