White's Third Lifts Warriors

They had all been here before.  Last year, Methacton and OJR had played to a dead even 9-9 game when the time ended in the fourth.  It took two overtime periods to decide it, but Owen J. Roberts left with a 10-9 win.  Keith White made sure that the fortunes were reversed when he found the top right corner for his third of the day to lift the hosts to a key PAC-10 win over the visiting Wildcats.  

Coach Ryan said of the team's play "It wasn't always pretty, and we have a number of things that we'll need to clean up and work on as the season progresses, but I was really proud of how resilient our guys were today."  The Warriors knew they would have their mettle tested as OJR entered today's contest undefeated and in first place in the PAC-10.  The first half saw sloppy play from both teams but Michael Del Vecchio gave Methacton the lead on an extra man opportunity following an offsides call.  That would prove to be the only goal of the first quarter as the hosts held a 1-0 advantage into the second half.  

Owen J. Roberts attackman Chris Antich would knot the score at 1-1 following a clearing error by the Warriors.  Both teams would see a number of opportunities in the first half but wouldn't find the net again as both goalies made a number of point blank stops.  Jake Blitzer made 9 of his 15 saves in the first half to keep the Warriors close.

OJR would open the second half scoring as John Pennell scored on a feed from Nick Tordone in transition.  Methacton would tie the score at 2-2 on an individual effort from Freshman Aidan Denecke.  Coach Ryan noted "Aidan has done a tremendous job for us.  He's a heady player who has a knack for getting his hands free."  Methacton would take a brief 3-2 lead on an individual effort from Senior Luke Herber.  Herber dodged from up top, split to his left hand, and ripped a shot into the low corner for his first of the day.  Both teams would trade goals as Pennell netted another followed by Denecke's second of the day.  Owen J midfielder Ryan Kent tied the score at 4-4 to end the third quarter.  

The fourth quarter would see runs by both teams.  Kent found the net twice in a row to give the visitors a 6-4 advantage before Herber found the net for his second of the day to cut the deficit.  Pennell and Sean Kent would each add one to extend the visitors lead to 8-5 with just 5:04 left in the game.  Trailing by three, senior midfielder Luke Herber took over the game, assisting a Keith White goal before adding his third of of the day. Senior Kevin Markle scored to tie the game with 2:45 left.  Herber again would play the role of creating as he dodged and found Keith White for his third assist of the day to take a 9-8 lead with 1:55 left to play.  Methacton's four goal run was over a period of just over three minutes and with momentum on their side they tried to kill the time with 1:12 left on the clock.  Herber, under heavy pressure turned the ball over at the top of the box and the visitors had one chance left in regulation.  With time running out, Sean Kent was able to beat his defensemen and the goalie to tie the game at 9-9 with just 21 seconds on the clock.  

In overtime, both teams would have an opportunity to score.  Methacton's came first as the won the opening face-off but were unable to create any opportunities.  With OJR pressing, Blitzer and the Warrior defense stood strong making the necessary save and getting the ball to the offensive end.  The game winner would come on a tremendous effort from White as he caught a pass in heavy traffic, spun away from pressure, and stuck the ball in the top right corner to give the hosts the thrilling OT victory.  

Methacton returns to action tomorrow visiting Pottsgrove for another PAC-10 match before visiting PJP II on Thursday and hosting Great Valley on Saturday.  With the win, the Warriors improve to 6-4 (5-2 PAC-10).