By Jason Napoli, Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 4/11/25
Marple-Newtown needed a bounce-back win Thursday when it traveled to Penncrest for a key Central League contest between Class AA powers.
The Tigers, coming off consecutive losses, tied it with two late goals by Brian Box and a game-winner from freshman Augie Bruder to earn a hard-fought 7-6 victory over the Lions.
Marple Newtown – No. 2 in Class 2A in the PA Lax Rankings – improved to 7-3 overall and 4-2 in the league. The Tigers had dropped their last two games to Ridley (14-11) and Radnor (8-6).
Box scored his second goal with 3:37 to play to tie it, and with just over 3 minutes to play, Bruder won it.
“We started to lose it a little bit at the end, but we locked in,” said Bruder. “It feels great, seeing everyone get electric on the sidelines, it’s awesome to see.”
Penncrest (ranked No. 9 in 2A, 5-5, 2-4 league) had dropped three straight coming into play. But the Lions seized a 6-5 lead with 6:46 left on Aaron Goldstein’s fourth goal.
Box, a Cornell commit, credited Penncrest’s defense.
“I just think they have some really good poles out there and we just started off slow,” he said. “I think it took a little while for us to get going, but once we did, we started putting it on.”
Penncrest led, 3-2, at halftime. Evan Kostack tied it before Goldstein made it 4-3. (see how short it can be?) Play by play has to be very very brief
Ryan Keating tied it again late in the third period then Box scored his second in the beginning of the fourth (8:03). Owen Thompson soon tied it.
Kevin Merchant, Marple-Newtown head coach, was happy with his team’s resilience, while also crediting Penncrest.
“It always feels good to have a win, it was one of those goofy games; long possessions, our defense really played well tonight,” he said. “I think both teams played really well and I think our guys just pulled it out at the end.”
Marple Newtown 7, Penncrest 6
MN- 1-1-1-4=7
PC- 2-1-1-2=6
Penncrest
Aaron Goldstein 4G 1A
Owen Thompson 1G
Jack Martin 1G
Logan Bruette 8/17 FO
Carson Patti 7 saves
MN
Brian Box – 2G
Evan Kostack – 2G
Ryan Keating – 1G
Augie Bruder – 1G
Jace Kostack – 1A
Brett Wolski – 1G 1A 7/14 F/O
Jack Dreger – 1/2 F/O
Marco D’Alicandro – 15 Saves
