Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 5/3/10
Trevor Hornby had two goals and one assist and Damian Sobieski (two goals) had the game-winner in the third period to snap a 3-3 tie as host Avon Grove defeated Downingtown West, 5-4, tonight in a battle between the two remaining undefeated Ches-Mont League boys’ teams.
The win improves the Devils to 11-2 overall and 7-0 in the Ches-Mont while the Whippets fell to 13-2 and 6-1 in the league. Downingtown West had won 10 in a row and was ranked No. 9 in the PA Media Rankings in the PIAA.
Avon Grove coach Eric Jackson credited the team’s defense for the victory. Tom Malone had 13 saves and the Devils managed to keep the potent Whippets from getting into transition or loading up their big shooters.
“I have been proud of the defense all year,” said Jackson, who gave credit to all his poles and his defensive middies. “They have the ability to do that and they finally put it all together. We have a solid goalie and the entire defense is made of juniors; it was just a matter of believing in themselves.
“They (the Whippets) have some really good shooters and it was a matter of forcing them to shoot on the run and stop their transition game. We wanted to force them into playing 6-on-6.”
Anthony DNenno also scored for Avon Grove, which has won eight games in a row. Jackson said the win was huge, but said it’s only a step and that many more challenges await his squad.
“We are not getting ahead of ourselves,” he said. “It was a good win, our first ever against a Downingtown team.
“But there is a lot of lacrosse left to be played and we are trying to keep everyone focused. This group does a good job of that.”
Eric Sanders led the Whippets with two goals and Mike Moore had a goal and an assist while Dustin Keen was a standout in the goal with 18 saves.
