Phillylacroosse.com, Posted 5/30/24
Staff Report
Brian Box had the game circled on his calendar.
A year ago, the Marple Newtown All-American midfielder/attackman was confined to the sidelines with an illness while West Chester Rustin thumped the Tigers in the District 1 Class 2A final. Box would get his revenge 10 days later, orchestrating a reversal of fortune in the state semifinal on the way to Marple’s first state title.
But a chance to add a second District 1 title in three years, when he felt the first chance at that had already been denied him, definitely got Box a little extra motivated on Wednesday.
“I’d definitely say the adrenaline was rushing, all day through school up until 5 o’clock,” Box said. “Just really excited, ready to go out there and play.”
Box played and then some, with three goals, two assists and a momentum-setting intensity that led the Tigers to a comfortable 14-5 victory over Rustin at Ridley High School.
Marple Newtown (18-3) opens PIAA action Tuesday vs. District 2 runner-up Crestwood while Rustin (16-5) opens with District 2 champion Scranton Prep.
Box, the Cornell-bound junior, had a goal and an assist in the first quarter, helping Marple run out to a 5-1 lead. He made it 6-1 midway through a sloppy second quarter when no one on Rustin accounted for his elemental alley dodge and he just plopped a shot home. Six seconds later, the first of Joey Yukenavitch’s four goals made it 7-1, from which point it was a matter of the clock whiling away the seconds to the Tigers’ championship dogpile.
Box and faceoff man Alex Chambers set the tone early. Chambers was 17-for-21 at the X, the Drexel commit was dominant. He added two assists in the first half, including on Yukenavitch’s goal to make it 7-1, then potted one in the fourth quarter, an eminently deserved marker.
In the first four minutes of the game, Marple not only led, 3-0, but had assists from Chambers and LSM David Bertoline. That level of transition dominance bodes well for a Tigers team that can score in bunches, and it left Rustin stunned beyond the point of recovery.
“It’s been starting since sixth grade. I’ve been playing with these guys for the longest time,” Chambers said. “That tic-tac-toe stuff, we work on that in practice almost every day. We work on moving the ball as quickly as possible and just figuring it out.”
Marple’s Evan Kostack scored three times. Jace Kostack added three assists. Ryan Keating scored in the first quarter, his 100th career goal, and added two assists.
Less heralded is the job the defense did. While Marple was running up and down the field early, the defense resisted being pried open into an end-to-end game. Led by Bertoline, a supreme pouncer in passing lanes, and captain Jake McGowan, the Tigers kept things tight, closed off passing lanes and made sure nothing came easy. Bertoline drew the matchup of Navy-bound midfielder Nate Pechin and kept him off the scoreboard.
When Rustin got open looks, it was often ones that were comfortable for goalie Marco D’Alicandro to handle. He made five saves.
“Our defense has been great all year,” Box said. “That unit is four great poles, and our d-middies are shut down. They work so well as a unit and they’re always communicating.”
Rustin’s first two strikes came via neat passing plays, Jackson Lamb connecting to Nick Santangelo on the crease. Santangelo scored Rustin’s first three goals, two off Lamb feeds. Lamb had both of the fourth-quarter markers.
But it was no match for Marple. Now, Rustin aims to get a shot at revenge – which could only occur if both teams reach the Eastern finals – while Marple seeks a second straight PIAA crown.
“It feels great,” Box said. “We’re just trying to get to the ultimate goal now.”
District 1 2A CHAMPIONSHIP
Marple Newtown 14, West Chester Rustin 5
MN – 5-2-2-5= 14
Rustin – 1-0-2-2=5
Rustin
Jackson Lamb 2g 3a
Nicky Santangelo 3g
Jack O’Hora 1a
Will Brockett 6 saves
MN
Brian Box – 3G 2A
Joey Yukenavitch – 4G 1A
Evan Kostack – 3G
Ryan Keating – 1G 2A (100th goal)
Alex Gillan – 1G
Brett Wolski – 1G
Jace Kostack – 2A
David Bertoline – 1A
Alex Chambers – 17/21 F/O 1G
Marco D’Alicandro – 7 Saves
