Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 4/20/10
Eric Sanders scored the game-winner with 5.3 seconds to play as visiting Downingtown West defeated rival Downingtown East, 13-12, in a key Ches-Mont League boys’ game today.
The win for the Whippets (9-1 overall, 4-0 league) was its first ever over East since the schools split from Downingtown High in 2004. The Cougars (3-6, 3-1) also saw their 37-game win streak in league play snapped.
Sanders took a feed from defenseman Luke McCorry – who carried it upfield – on the left flank before blazing the winning shot.
“I could see the clock as Luke was bringing it up because I was backpedaling,” said Sanders. “I just caught the ball just outside the restraining box and launched it toward the goal.
“This is so important to us. It’s definitely one of the biggest steps to winning the Ches-Mont League since East was 37-0 and is the perennial powerhouse.”
Sanders, Connor Mullen and Ryan Higgins each finished with three goals and two assists and Tyler McWilliams chipped in with two goals and an assist for the Whippets. Tyler Rankel led West with eight ground balls and a standout defensive effort and Dustin Keen made several big saves in goal.
“We definitely know, especially in the Ches-Mont, that we can play with anybody,” said Sanders. “Everybody counted us out because they thought we were not playing together. But this was a true team effort.”
Shane Sturgis led Downingtown East with three goals and five assists.
true team effort.
