Spring-Ford leads OJR in PAC-10 Boys Lacrosse Game Suspended by Weather in 4th Quarter

This rivalary never ceases to produce high intensity, drama filled moments.  Last night was no different.  Some back and forth action, separate scoring runs by each team, superb goaltending changing momentum, and finally weather that suspends the game with 4:11 left in the 4th quarter and Spring-Ford holding on to a 14-11 lead.

Mix in that these two teams have very little love for each other, the only two teams to hold PAC-10 titles in the conference since it's inception, first place and top seeding in the PAC-10 Tournament and this rivalry has it all.  Spring-Ford is hungry for revenge after coughing up a halftime lead 2 weeks ago at OJR with the Wildcats defeating the Rams 12-10 and OJR, after a tough upset loss to Methacton earlier in the week, opening the door for Spring-Ford to take back control of their destiny and the winner in line to take the regular season conference championship.

The game started with each team hitting on their first possession.  Spring-Ford got the first mini-run of the game jumping out to a 3-1 lead on goals by Paul Major and Troy Szostek.  OJR netted one late in the first to end the quarter with Spring-Ford leading 5-2.  To start the second, the night would turn even more eventful.

The Rams were assessed a 3 minute, illegal stick penalty.  The Wildcats would start the quarter on the man-up.  However, Spring-Ford would kill off most of the penalty and actually extending their lead to 6-4 on a man-down goal by Szostek until the Rams released to early and were assessed an additional 30 second penalty and OJR would capitalize and cut the lead to 6-5.  The first significant run ensued for Spring-Ford on goals by Major, Szostek, and DJ Young that would lead the Rams to a 9-5 lead at the half and seemingly in control.

As many times in this series, goalie play ends up playing a significant factor in the outcome.  Last year, Matt Messerle and Matt Moyer traded off winning formulas during the regular season and Messerle standing out in a dramatic 9-8 PAC-10 Championship game.  In the first meeting this year, Christopher Wood was outstanding in net as the Wildcats overcame a halftime deficit and OJR took home a 12-10 victory.  

In the third quarter, Matt Messerle would prove to be stellar between the pipes.  At one point with a combined 6 players in the penalty box and Spring-Ford with only 2 defensemen and Messerle left to face a 4 man offense for OJR, Messerle came up with an improbable save, one on one on a high to low attempt by Antich.  Messerle came up with several more saves including a between the legs shot attempt by Antich on the doorstep as he shut out the Cats in the third and Spring-Ford stretched it's lead to 12-5.  But as Yogi Berra once said, "...it's de ja vu all over again."

During another mandatory stick check, yet again, a Ram defensemen was hit with a 3 minute illegal stick penalty.  Initially the Rams defense were able to fend off the Wildcats and twice had opportunities to possess the ball and drain off significant time off that penalty.  However, OJR forced Spring-Ford in to turnovers and after both they turned them into goals to cut the lead to 12-7.  After a face off win by Matt Della Croce, Wood came up with a big save and in a desperation toss downfield, found Zach DeCarlo burying a breakaway goal capping a 4-0 run in just a minute and half.

At this point the game was being played on OJR's terms as they thrive in unsettled, transition style of play.  They move the ball very well and often make the right pass to find the right guy wide open on the goalie's doorstep.  Messerle was able to grab a high laser and outlet to set up another fast break goal by Zach Hare and push the lead to 4 at 13-9.  In two more unsettled, transition opportunties and the Cats cut that lead to 13-11 with just about 6 minutes to goal.  Paul Major then grabbed another chance and put one by Wood to get a crucial 3 goal lead.

It then began to settle down a bit or so everyone thought.  With SF in possession and the clock winding down, lightnening was spotted and the game was immediately suspended.  At this point, Paul Major has 4 goals and 5 assists with Szostek adding 4 goals and 1 assist.  DJ Young burying 2 goals (1 on the man-down) and Zach Hare and Pettine adding goals.  OJR was lead by Chris Antich with 2 goals and 3 assists, Ryan Kent, Sam Garges, Will Snelling with 2 each and Nick Tordone, Austin Delgatto, and Zach DeCarlo chipping in with 1 each.  

With the details to still be worked out as to the resumption of this game, the one advantage the Rams may have is that they have been here before.  In a first round district game vs. Great Valley, the game was halted at the ended of third quarter due to weather.  They should be able to draw on that experience and how to come out and wrest momentum back from OJR who clearly has the Rams on their heels as they furiously try to get an improbable come from behind victory in a game that was clearly in the Rams favor thru 3 quarters.  But as I said, OJR is always a threat because of their ability to score in bunches and they will be feeling like they can pull this out...whenever it continues.  Messerle, Major and the rest of the Rams will surely have something to say about that.

Stay tuned, this will be one wild finish!!