Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 4/18/12
Staff Report
It was a special night, indeed.
In front of a crowd of over 1,000, Henderson’s boys’ lacrosse team defeated host West Chester East, 16-6, tonight in the inaugural “Drew Bauer City Championship Memorial Game,” an event that honored a hero to many lacrosse players and followers in the West Chester areas.
The Ches-Mont League rivalry game was played to remember Drew Bauer, who died last summer in a boating accident in the Sassafras River on the Chesapeake in Maryland. Bauer played at East and was a popular and beloved youth coach for many years in the West Chester Lacrosse League and for the Keystone Games.
Henderson junior attackman Owen Evans was honored with a special Cascade Pro7 helmet from Lacrosse International for being named the Bauer Blue Collar Player of the Game, as the individual that best exemplified Drew Bauer’s spirit and love of lacrosse. Evans had three goals and an assist and played a strong all-around game.
Sebastian Kerrslake led the Warrriors (9-1, 3-1) with five goals while Conner Sidebottom had two goals and an assist and Ben Fonda scored twice.
Bauer followed his father, West Chester Lacrosse director Mike Bauer, as a coach and lacrosse leader. The family is known for helping most players in the West Chester area get their start in lacrosse for many years.
“I grew up in West Chester Youth Lacrosse and I grew up with the Bauer family,” said Evans. “This means a lot and I am honored to receive the first Bauer Blue Collar award.
“I hope they continue the tradition of the Bauer City Championship Game.”
Spencer Rymiszewski and Pat McDonald each had a goal and an assist for Henderson while Jack Glassey scored once and Chase Heisman had six saves.
East fell to 0-7, but played a strong game. Bill Helmig had two goals while Nick Scotese, Nick Meyers and Justin Billello each had one and Steve Garrell stood out on defense. Eithen Williamson made seven saves in goal.
The Bauer award winner was chosen by former West Chester East coach Mike Collie and former Henderson great and pro player Ryan Cranston, along with Mike Bauer.
Many members of the Bauer family attended the game and hundreds of West Chester Youth Lacrosse players – past and present – were in the crowd.
Along with the helmet, Lacrosse International gave Evans a gift certificate to customize the helmet any way he likes.
Special mention also goes to East coach Jim Schorn, who created the idea for the game and has been a leader for West Chester lacrosse as a high school, club and youth coach for years. He also is a major supporter of the Bauer family; he coached with Drew when Chester County won the U15 Gold Medal at the Keystone State Games in 2010.
The East-Henderson rivalry was integral to the Bauer family as Drew played at East and his brother, Nate, was an East graduate while his brother, Sam, graduated from Henderson). Schorn’s club team, “Man Up,” also donated a Cascade Pro7 helmet that displayed East’s colors on one side and Henderson’s on the other to honor the game and the rivalry.
There will be a trophy passed back and forth to the winner of the game every year to display in their trophy case.
This year it went to Henderson, but all involved were winners tonight.
Henderson 16 West Chester East 6
Henderson
Sebastian Kerslake 5g
Owen Evans 3g 1a
Jack Glassey 1g
Conner Sidebottom 2g 1a
Ben Fonda 2g
Spencer Rymiszewski 1g 1a
Pat McDonald 1g 1a
Jake Richard 1a
Tyler Thompson 1a
Chase Heisman 6 Saves
East
Bill Helmig 2g
Nick Scotese 1g
Nick Meyers 1g
Justin Billello 1g
Eithen Williamson 7 saves
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