Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 5/8/19
Staff Report
West Chester East senior midfielder Rocco Grello knew the Vikings had the potential to be a Ches-Mont League champion this year.
“I think we always had great team chemistry,” he said. “Many of us have been playing together since 6th grade and when we were working out in the winter I realized we had something special. Coach (Jim) Schorn always told us we were a special group and that we could do something great this year. We proved it!”
Indeed, the Vikings (14-2) became champions, in style, as they clinched their first Ches-Mont League title since 2005 (first outright since 1989) Tuesday night with a dramatic, come-from-behind, 11-8 triumph at Henderson in the 8th Annual “Drew Bauer City Championship Memorial Game.”
The game honors Mr. Bauer, who died eight summers ago in a boating accident in the Sassafras River on the Chesapeake in Maryland. Drew played at WC East and was a popular coach for many years in the West Chester Youth and Keystone Games as well as a player on men’s teams in the county.
The Vikings would have made Drew proud in 2019. They won the City Championship for the first time and did it from behind. This win was one of many big ones in a season that saw East also topple defending champion Avon Grove and defending PIAA Class AA champ Bishop Shanahan in clutch performances.
East (11-1 league) lost only to Downingtown East, and wins the title over Shanahan (10-1) based on the head-to-head win.
“It feels great to win with these guys,” said Grello, named the prestigious
“Bauer Blue Collar” recipient for exemplifying the many attributes Drew showed as a player, coach and person. . “I wouldn’t trade it for the world. We just kept working all year and kept getting better every day.”
Henderson (10-5, 7-3) went up, 6-4, early in the third period, but Jacob Greiner fed Jeff Greiner to make it 6-5. The Warriors again took a two-goal lead, but Jacob Greiner (3G) and Jesse Roth (1G, 2A) scored to tie and then Michael Gray (2G) scored with 10 seconds left in the period to make it 8-7.
East salted it in the final frame as Ben DeLaney (2G) scored again and Grello (3G, 2A) added two more insurance tallies.
“We just stuck to our game, pushing transition,” said Grello. “The defense was solid and we have six guys on the field at al times who can score. It’s difficult to stop our offense. We know if our offense keeps pushing, eventually we’ll score.
“I just pushed transition and helped get back on defense. I know if I can get the ball to our offense they can beat their defender any time.”
Why has East been so successful?
“I think it’s the coaching,” Grello said. “We are well-prepared and we know the other team’s strengths and weknesses.”
Grello said clinching the title and winning the Drew Bauer City Championship at the same time makes the evening even more special.
“We have been learning about him for four years,” said Grello. “I have known about him longer since my brother (Mike) played at East.
“It’s really great that they dedicate this game to him. He meant a lot to the community and winning this game is a great feeling.”
Luke Wierman (2G, 1A) stood out at the faceoff X for Henderson and Jeff Benson also had two goals and an assist.
WC East 11, Henderson 8
WCH 1 4 2 1 -8
WCE 3 1 4 3 -11
East
Jeff Greiner 1a
Jacob Greiner 3g
Joe Carozza 2a
Jesse Roth 1g 2a
Rocco Grello 3g 2a
Ben Delaney 2g
Mike Gray 2g
Jack Macannaly 9 saves
Henderson
Jeff Benson 2g 1a
Luke Wierman 2g 1a
Jon Hamm 1g
Dan Carnuccio 1g
Max DePasquale 1g
Jack Micco 1g
Ryan McKie 7 saves
