West York wins lacrosse thriller vs. Eastern York
Being able to come back from any deficit is a sign of a determined team.
Not even 20 minutes into Tuesday's game against Eastern York, West York found itself down by five goals.
The Bulldogs battled back to tie the game in the third period, only to see the Golden Knights go back ahead by five with a little more than 10 minutes to play in the game.
That's when the Bulldog offensive barrage started. The visitors took control of faceoffs and ground balls and scored nine goals over the final 10:18 and then held off a furious Eastern comeback attempt to earn a thrilling 17-16 victory.
"That's been our motto the last four years with this senior group, is that they don't have no quit in them," West York head coach Rodney Tamblin said. "Our transition offense is pretty decent and these guys have been playing together since U9 and know where each other is on the field. They play for each other and the name on the front of the jersey."
West York's Tanner Brannon bookended the Bulldogs' fourth-period run with goals at 9:45, and he recorded the final tally for the visitors with 59 seconds to go.
Brannon's goal made it 17-14, but the home team wouldn't go quietly. Conrad Rhein recorded his fourth goal of the game and his team's fifth power play tally with 46 seconds remaining.
Eastern's Evyn Witman followed that with a goal with 10 seconds to play, but the Golden Knights were unable to get off a last shot following the final faceoff.
"We did some things very well," Eastern head coach Bob Rhein said. "We just struggled with the faceoffs and the second half we just couldn't come up with possession of the ball and played a lot of defense. Both teams were moving the ball well, and the game was played the way it should be played."
West York (9-2, 8-1) was led by Hunter Betz's four goals and three assists.
"I just try to step my game up every time I step on the field," the senior said. "I just try to work harder and come out successful as a team. We knew it was going to be a dog fight and we just never give up."
The Bulldogs had seven goal scorers, including Devyn Roehm, Nick Cintron and Brannon, who each scored three goals. Trevor Sweitzer added two.
Witman and Dominic Particelli each scored four goals for Eastern (4-4, 4-4), and Tate Adamson recorded three.
West York 17, Eastern York 16
West York1349—17Eastern York2455—16
West York goals — Hunter Betz 4, Tanner Brannon 3, Devyn Roehm 3, Nick Cintron 3, Trevor Sweitzer 2, Noah Townsley, Zac Hess.
West York assists — Betz 3, Ian Lichty 2, Sweitzer 1, Hess.
Eastern York goals —Conrad Rhein 4, Evyn Witman 4, Dominic Particelli 4, Tate Adamson 3, Nate Smith.
Eastern York assists — Rhein 3, Trevor Figdore 2, Adamson 2, Particelli 2.
Shots on goal — WY 46. EY 36.
Goalies — WY, Cole Rinehart (7 saves). EY, Kevin Royce (13 saves).