Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 5/5/18
Staff Report
It was a much-anticipated rematch as Central Bucks East traveled to La Salle on Saturday afternoon.
After losing to the Patriots in the 2017 PIAA Class AAA State quarterfinals, the Explorers were looking for revenge, but Ryan Stout scored in overtime to give the Pats a 6-5 win.
CB East (13-2) dominated the first period, with Stout kicking off the scoring with a wrap around goal at the 7:16 mark. A short seven seconds later, Michael Ott scored the first of his three goals on the day to give the Patriots a 2-0 lead. East maintained possession for most of the first period, and with time winding down, Ott sent a rocket into the back of the net with only 9 seconds left to give East a commanding 3-0 lead.
But La Salle (9-4) battled back and scored three goals by Brendan Meagher, Ethan LaMond and Joey Taylor to make it 3-3 at the half. Another goal by Meagher with 7:14 remaining in the third gave the Explorers their first lead of the game. But it didn’t last long, as Ott scored a few minutes later to complete the hat trick for a 4-4 tie at the end of three.
La Salle took a 5-4 lead early in the fourth as defenseman Joey Burnham scored off a faceoff, but East answered again with a top-corner rip by Ryan Bulotta with 9:11 left to play in regulation. Both defenses took control at that point and didn’t allow another goal until Stout’s game-winner in overtime.
Ott played an outstanding all around game by winning 9 of 14 faceoffs, scoring three goals and scooping 9 groundballs. The East defense was solid all day, led by long poles Drew Bethke, Jake Kueny, John Galow, and Ty Tracey. Collin Stein, Evan Bulotta, and Jake Ventresca were also critical in the win with strong defense and key clears.
Liam Rosenthal had seven saves, again playing strong against La Salle as he did in last year’s playoff win.
The Patriots can clinch the Suburban One National Conference title when it faces Central Bucks West at 3:30 at Patriots Stadium. La Salle closes its Catholic League season this week with games against Archbishop Wood Tuesday and Cardinal O’Hara on Friday.
Central Bucks East 6, La Salle 5
CB East 3-0-1-0-1- 6
La Salle 0-3-1-1-0- 5
La Salle
Joey Burnham 1g
Brendan Meagher 2g
Ethan LaMond 1g
Joey Taylor 1g
Central Bucks East
Ryan Stout 2G, 1 GB, 1 CT, GW 1 minute into OT
Michael Ott 3G, 9 FO wins, 9 GBs, 1 CT
Ryan Bulotta 1G
Liam Rosenthal 7 saves, 1 GB
Michael Ott 9
Collin Stein 1GB
John Galow 1 GB, 2 CT
Jake Kueny 1CT
