By Chris Mueller
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 4/26/12
Senior attackman Tyler McWilliams had two goals and two assists as Downingtown West toppled Downingtown East, 12-9, today in a battle of Ches-Mont League first-place teams.
In front of a packed crowd at West’s Distefano Stadium, the defending champion Whippets (13-0) took sole possession of the league lead at 7-0. East (9-4) is 6-1 after seeing its seven-game winning streak snapped.
McWilliams had the game-winning feed to midfielder Matt Logan, who put the Whippets up, 9-8 later in the game.
“It’s the best feeling to beat east,” said McWilliams, headed to Roanoke. “They are a great team, and our rival, so winning this game means a lot.”
Dylan Ikkala (McDaniel) scored three goals for West while Zach Barr (Marquette) and Matt Logan each had two goals. Long stick midfielder Jared Wolfe also contributed two key face-off groundballs in the fourth quarter that helped to solidify the victory. Senior goalie Alex Cuttic had nine saves.
West coach Tommy Hannum was quick to give the opposing Cougars much deserved credit.
“They have an awesome team,” he said. “They’ve been playing great and the game could have gone either way. Our kids were just relentless out there and were constantly going after it.”
Downingtown East’s junior attackman Brandyn O’Connell (Hofstra) led the Cougars, scoring three goals and adding two assists to fellow attackman Aaron Murphy (two goals, one assist).
“O’Connell’s the quarterback of our offense,” said East coach Tom Cliggett. “He did a great job out there, but it was just two quality teams going at it tonight and they got the better of us in the second half.”
Midfielder Ryan George and Ryan Poole each added two goals for East and LSM Andrew Murner picked up four groundballs while goalie Sam Weiss had seven saves.
Both teams play next Saturday at Katie Samson as the Cougars face La Salle while the Whippets meet Brunswick School (Conn.).
DOWINGTOWN WEST 12 DOWNINGTOWN EAST 9
DW 2 3 2 2-9
DE 1 3 4 4-12
WEST- Tyler McWilliams 2g 2a, Zach Barr 2g Matt Logan 2g 1a Dylan Ikkala 3g Jim Sharer 1g Eric Rankel 1g Tommy Hanz 1g
EAST- Brandyn O’Connell 3g 2a Aaron Murphy 2g 1a Ryan George 2g Ryan Poole 2g
SAVES
DW- Alex Cuttic-9
DE-Sam Weiss-6
