Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 5/3/24
Staff Report
Senior attackman Xander Maxwell has been through enough disappointments and near misses for Westtown School’s boys’ lacrosse team since he arrived from Edmonton, Alberta as a freshman.
So when the host Moose conquered 9-time defending champion and long-time nemesis Academy of the New Church, 17-11, today for their first Friends Schools League championship in school history, Maxwell had many positive emotions.
“Personally, this game means so much to me,” said UMBC signee, who had three goals and five assists in the win. “Coming here as a freshman, my goal was to flip the program and make a name for ourselves.
“Over the past couple years we have made great steps. We cemented ourselves in the history books today! At the start of the school year in one of our 6 am lifts we were all asked our goals for the season and every single one of our seniors said we wanted to win the FSL.
“Preparation for today was very focused and we all had the same goal in mind. Sticking together when times are tough and staying dedicated to our game plan really got it done for us.”
ANC – which last year was nationally ranked for several weeks – claimed its last three FSL titles with wins over Westtown. But last month the Moose (9-4) beat ANC (8-6) for the first time ever, 8-5. Maxwell knew this time that his team needed to play even better.
So the Moose came out sizzling, seizing a 6-1 first-period lead. It was 11-5 at halftime and despite some surges by ANC, the outcome was never in doubt.
Westtown’s offense was balanced. After Maxwell, Ewen Patrick (4G), Noah Snyder (3G), Matt Hamill (3G), and Aiden Kammerer (2G, 2A) had big days and Arjun Gill was strong in goal with 17 saves.
“Our guys had a chip on their shoulder and they dedicated themselves to winning this championship,” said Westtown coach Desi Gonzalez. “We executed. On offense we were patient and just waited until the slide came and then found the open guy.”
“On offense, we were challenged to take care of the ball and really work for the right opportunities as well as set our own pace,” added Maxwell. “We didn’t want to let them dictate our game. Coming out hot and fast really helped us today.
“Talking to some of our defensemen, our game plan on defense was to stick to our scout and stay both poised and disciplined within our communication and matchups. We also trusted each other with everything today and had each other’s backs when we needed it. As a group, I think we came in with a vision of winning and we were prepared to do anything in our abilities to get the job done, and we got the job done!”
The Westtown roster has players from many regions of North America besides himself; even from the far West. Six are from Canada, four from China and players also come from Idaho, North Carolina, New York, and Maryland. The team also has Native American, Black, and Hispanic players. This diversity has helped the team bond.
“I think just living together and being with each other everyday is an important part of how close we are,” Maxwell said. “We all come here from Canada and all over the (USA) to play the game we love.
“We are always together hanging out in our dorms, eating together, practicing every day, just being there for each other. I love this group of guys and would not have wanted to win it with anyone else.
“Going through the program since freshman year I have played with a ton of our alumni who are from all over the place as well and being able to win today really meant a lot to me and our seniors to be able to do it not only for us but for them as well. Being a Canadian kid and getting this opportunity has been a blessing to me.”
Westtown School 17, Academy of the New Church 11
(Friends League championship)
Westtown 6-5-4-2- 17
ANC 1-4-3-3 – 11
Westtown
Aiden Kammerer 2g, 2a
Matt Hamill 3g
Ewen Patrick 4g
Noah Snyder 3g
Xander Maxwell 3g, 5a
Collin Thompson 1g, 2a
Landon Langley 1g
Arjun Gill 17 saves
