5-0 Fourth Quarter Fuels Warriors Victory

There was a palpable excitement leading into this evening's game at Methacton's home field as it would see a Methacton first:  a home game under the lights.  Adding even more excitement was the celebration of the program's Seniors as they were honored for their contributions to the program before the game. The Warriors would ride that excitement and momentum and a 5-0 fourth quarter to their 7th victory of the year as they hosted the Big Red of Souderton.  

The visitors got on the board first on the day as an individual effort beat Methacton Goalie Harvey Smith.  However, Ryan O'Toole would respond as he dodged past the Souderton midfielder and beat the goalie low to knot the score at 1-1.  The second quarter would be controlled by Methacton.  Despite Souderton holding a distinct advantage at the faceoff x, the Warriors were about to extend their lead to 5-2 with some quality unsettled play as well as cashing in on the man up opportunities provided by Souderton penalties.  Sophomore Stanley Kolimago would finish a Connor Stevenson feed.  Aidan Denecke beat his defenseman from X and scored an individual tally, while Kyle Derrickson scored on an extra man opportunity on another assist from Stevenson.  Derrickson would switch roles and offer the assist on the next goal finding Aidain Denecke on the backside of the play and the Senior captain didn't waste the opportunity as he put the ball away on a classic dip and dunk move.  That would be the final goal of the quarter with the hosts holding a 5-2 advantage.  

The third quarter, however, would be all Souderton as they scored all three goals in the period to knot the game at 5-5.  Despite multiple offensive possessions the Warriors were unable to cash in.  

With the game knotted at 5 apiece, the Warriors would display great resiliency and toughness as they created and finished a number of transition opportunities.  Derrickson broke the deadlock with his second of the day as Senior Eric Dietch found the defenseman wide open on the crease.  The 5-0 run would also see Denecke add two more goal and an assist as well as Sophomore attackman Kyle Kacala netting two.  

Defensively, the Warriors head Souderton scoreless through the quarter.  Senior LSM Nick Salerno created a number of turnovers and collected a number of loose ground balls.  Seniors Andrew Benci and John Lausch also provided strong performances as they stymied the Big Red attack time and again.  Junior Goalie Harvey Smith made a number of big saves during the 4th quarter run to maintain the Warriors momentum.  Four of ten saves on the evening came during the decisive final stanza.  

With the win, Methacton improves to 7-8 on the season.  They return to action tomorrow night at 7:15 in their home stadium for a second night game in as many days.  

Scoring:

Methacton: Aidan Denecke (4G,1A), Kyle Kacala (2G), Kyle Derrickson (2G,1A), Connor Stevenson (2A), Ryan O'Toole (1G), Stanley Kolimago (1G,1A), Eric Dietch (1A), Connor McHugh (1A), Harvey Smith (10 Saves, 5 G/A)