By Chris Mueller
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 5/16/12
Senior Joe McErlean scored four goals and Dylan Alderman added three tallies and an assist as host Bishop Shanahan defeated Owen J Roberts, 13-6, Tuesday in the first round of the District 1 boys’ lacrosse playoffs at Kelly Field.
The 15th-seeded Eagles (15-4) used a strong first period (5-1 lead) and good ball control to earn a second-round date Thursday at second-seeded and Ches-Mont League rival Downingtown West.
Owen J. Roberts, the 18th seed, finished at 14-7.
“We knew we had to move it around a lot,” said McErlean, who is committed to St. Joseph’s “(We thought) passing would get us a lot of quick goals. Our game plan worked perfectly from what we saw on film.”
Also for Shanahan, Eric Giannetti had two goals and an assist and Matt Bray had a goal and two assists. John Mehok contributed a goal and an assist while Pat Folan and Jack Oakes each scored once. Senior Chris Panichelli led the Shanahan defensive unit, which held the Wildcats to one second-half goal. Anthony Wagner made 11 saves in net.
Shanahan coach John Heisman was proud of his team’s performance, especially from the offense.
“Today was a great win,” he said. “The whole team showed up, especially our first line middies.
“McErlean and Alderman were great. We just try to get them in spots where they are dangerous, and they got the job done today.”
For Owen J, Tyler Graham and Ryan Kent both scored twice while Matt Boyer was solid with 14 saves in goal.
“These guys came out and worked hard,” said OJR coach Jeff Neese, whose Wildcats reached the Pioneer Athletic Conference finals this year. “We didn’t get off to the best start but they didn’t quit. They are a great group of guys.”
Shanahan is ready for the challenge of facing undefeated Downingtown West, which defeated the Eagles, 11-7, in the regular season.
“Now we go into the tiger’s den,” joked Heisman. “We faced them earlier in the year and played them tough, so we’re definitely excited.”
Bishop Shanahan 13, Owen J. Roberts 6
Owen J. Roberts 1 4 1 0 – 6
Bishop Shanahan 5 3 3 2 – 13
Shanahan stats:
Dylan Alderman, 3 goals & 1 assists
John Mehok, 1 goal & 1 assist
Joe Mcerlean, 4 goals
Pat Folan, 1 goal
Jack Oakes, 1 goal
Matt Bray, 1 goal & 2 assists
Eric Giannetti, 2 goals & 1 assist
Anthony Wagner, 11 saves
Sam Gindhart 1 save
Owen J. Roberts stats:
Chris Antich, 1 goal & 1 assist
Tyler Graham, 2 goals & 1 assist
Ryan Kent, 2 goals
John Pennell, 1 goal & 2 assist
Matt Boyer 14 saves
