Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 4/10/21 – Staff Report
Dane Hagen knew full well how much Perkiomen Valley’s dramatic 8-7 win over visiting Spring-Ford Friday night in a Pioneer Athletic Conference opener meant to his program.
“You see this win isn’t just a win for the 2021 PV boys’ lacrosse team, it’s a win for all of our alumni players who have built this program to the team we are today!” said the Vikings junior, who scored the game-winner with 38 seconds to play. “We are all stoked and this goes to show that the off season time the guys were willing to put in pays off.
“There were times the boys were up early in the morning, playing in 12 degrees, and just doing everything we can in the off-season to build ourselves. This is only round one of nine this season; we are stoked with this win, but humbled at the same time knowing we have eight more rounds to dig just as deep and keep going.”
The PV win was the school’s first over nine-time defending Pioneer Conference champion Spring-Ford since 2007. The Rams had not lost a PAC game since 2013 and have beaten Perk Valley in the last two PAC championship games (not held last year due to the pandemic).
This victory has even greater meaning since the league will not hold a Final Four tournament. As Hagen noted, the Vikings have eight more league games, but the Vikings were savoring this one (on their new turf field for the first time ) – especially after missing the 2020 campaign and getting a late start for this season due to league protocols.
“The feeling of taking the field with the boys you have been training with for the last two years due to a cancelled season against your rival, under the lights on your new turf field … I mean what a better way to start!” said Hagen.
Spring-Ford had taken a 5-3 halftime lead, but PV scored three unanswered goals in the third period and the Rams tied it twice to set up Hagen’s heroics.
“We came out slow, but the whole first half we kept telling ourselves calm, and poise on offense, settle into it and go with the game plan,” Hagen (two goals, two assists) said. “Coming out of the halftime, Coach (Jim) Farrington had us going, and we decided to pound the hammer down and and come out bumping in the third quarter.
“I think this really showed what our offense is capable of, but we have much more to work on and just know this isn’t our peak performance. Much more to improve on and much more opportunities going forward!”
Hagen broke the deadlock after beating his defender from X, faking a pass and blazing a sidearm shot in the goal.
“Gee, you know it was the final seconds of the game and Coach (Bryan) Churchey has been talking about the alpha mentality this whole week, man,” said Hagen. “I had the ball from X and loved the matchup I was given so I told myself right now is the time.
“‘IT’S GO TIME BABY!’ And you know from there I just went hard and ripped a step away shot around my defender to seal the deal.”
Also for PV, Sam Nice (5 GBs), Jack Scaliti, and Matt Farrington each had a goal and an assist, while Harrison Schlachta and Ryan Poston each scored once.. Sophomore twins Noah Delo and Colin Delo combined to win 11 of 16 faceoffs and Jacob Klosinski posted 8 saves in goal.
“It was a huge win,” said Scaliti, a senior captain and Stevenson commit. “Absolutely nobody knows how hard we work and nobody works nearly as hard as this group of guys.
“I am so proud of each and every one of my teammates and coaches, have the utmost respect for (Spring-Ford) coach (Kevin) Donnelly and his team. Ever since last April myself and my teammates have gathered weekly to play and better ourselves and get gym memberships. Dane took over at the end.”
The Vikings’ defense was led by seniors Aidan Owens, Justin Coates, and Mason Nester along with junior Ryan Boozer as they dominated in groundballs, 35-22.
Justin Wixted, Aaron Judge and Nick Teets each had two goals and an assist for the Rams.
Perkiomen Valley 8, Spring-Ford 7
PV 1-2-3-2 -8
SF 2-3-0-2 -7
Spring-Ford
Justin Wixted 2g, 1a
Aaron Judge 2g, 1a
Nick Teets 2g, 1a
Christian Marchini 1g
Chris Quigley 1a
Matt Smith 7 saves
PV
Jack Scaliti 1g 1a
Dane Hagen 2g 2a (Game Winner)
Matt Farrington 1g 1a
Sam Nice 1g 1a
Brandon Baker 1g
Ryan Poston 1g
Harrison Schlachta 1g
Colin & Noah Delo combined to go 11 for 16 at the X with 9 gbs (7 for Colin Delo)
Jacob Klosinski 8 saves
