By Chris Goldberg
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 4/14/12
The 4th annual Nike Checking for Cancer Lacrosse Invitational kicked off in style this morning as St. Augustine Prep toppled La Salle, 11-10, on a goal by Mike Sutton with 3.7 seconds left in overtime.
The Hermits improved to 4-3 while La Salle fell to 4-3.
Pat McMenamin, who had a team-high five goals, sent the game into overtime with 54 seconds left in regulation. Joe Gigantiello (14 saves) made several key stops for St. Augustine Prep in the final frame and the Hermits gained the final possession.
They ran a play with just under 10 seconds left to isolate Sutton (two goals), who dodged and fired past Cory Shaffer (10 saves).
“They have a great program this shows that kids from South jersey can do it, too,” Sutton said. “We were waiting fro an iso behind. It didn’t work the first time. Chase Young threw it to me I dodged a poll in the middle of the field and let it go from there”
Matt Rambo led the Explorers with five goals and an assist.
Another key for the Hermits was the face-off play of freshman John Fox, who replaced the injured Bill McMenamin (knee) in the second period and held his own (8 of 13 FO) in the second half.
“This gets us respect,” said Gigantiello. “La Salle is a powerhouse in Philadelphia and we’re an up and coming program in South Jersey. We came back today and really came together as a team.”
St. Augustine Prep 11, La Salle 10, OT
SAPrep 1-2-3-4-1 – 11
La Salle 2-2-3-3-0- 10
St. Augustine Prep
Steve Pontrello 4g
Mike Sutton 2g, 1a
Pat McMenamin 5g
Tommy O’Neill 2a
Chase Young 1a
Joe Gigantiello 14 saves
La Salle
Matt Rambo 5g, 1a
Adam Stefanowicz 1g, 1a
Adam Schaal 1g
Zach Drake 1g
Stephen Hudak 1g, 1a
Brian McNamara 1g
Michael Rihm 1a
Cory Shaffer 10 saves
