skip navigation

BOYS' LAX: A Battle to the End as Cardinal O' Hara Takes the W Against Lansdale Catholic in PCL Action

By Dan McCarty (photos & video by Dan McCarty), 04/15/19, 2:00PM EDT

Share

SPRINGFIELD- Philadelphia Catholic League (PCL) action is well underway this 2019 spring sports season. Despite a constant wind-blown drizzle, the Cardinal O’Hara Lions’ lacrosse team hosted the Lansdale Catholic Crusaders Friday, April 12, 2019 in league play.

The score was close for most of the game and by late in the third quarter, there was never more than a two-goal range thus making it anybody’s game until the very end. O’Hara just fought its way down the field and ultimately came out on top with a 9-7 victory.

“We kept fighting,” said Cardinal O’ Hara head coach Evan Bohner. “We fought through. We finished the game.”

The Lions are off to a remarkable start this year. With this outcome, they improved to a 6-1 overall record. Sealing that first victory clearly boosted the level of energy.

“The first game felt amazing,” said O’Hara’s Jimmy Yocum. “It got us all hyped.”

That energy has stayed with O’Hara ever since. Yocum scored first in this match against Lansdale Catholic. The Crusaders responded quickly as Connor Mann found the net with Evan Hannings assisting. The Lions were on a second quarter roll as Jake Cavanaugh, Ryan Culp and Aidan Gahagan all scored and gave their team a 4-1 advantage after one half.

A goal by Kyle Wilson extended it to 5-1 but the Crusaders made a huge comeback. Jesse Brown, Hannings and Kevin Gianoni combined for a 4-0 sprint allowing for a 5-5 tie going in to the fourth quarter.

O’Hara’s Kevin Kirby accounted for a goal early in the period only to be answered back by goals from Crusaders Jack Kelly and Brown giving Lansdale Catholic its first 7-6 lead of the afternoon. Yocum and Gahagan both scored for the second time in the competition and gave the Lions a permanent surplus. Despite a time out by the Crusaders with 1:15 in regulation, Jeremy Garvey found the net one minute later before the clock expired.

“Aidan scored the last goal,” said Yocum. “That’s how we did it.”

Goalkeeper Connor Flanegan led the way for Lansdale Catholic’s defense.

“Their goalie kept them in it,” said Bohner. “It was a hard-fought win. It was beautiful.”

League play continues for O’Hara this week as they take on Archbishop Carroll Wednesday, April 17, at 3:45 p.m.

Cardinal O' Hara vs. Lansdale Catholic (video Dan McCarty)

Cardinal O'Hara's Jimmy Yocum scores first goal for his team.

Lansdale Catholic goal keeper Connor Flanegan talks about his team's defense.

Lansdale Catholic midfielder Jesse Brown praises his coach and teammates

“We have a long way to go,” said Bohner. “We’re making adjustments.”

The Crusaders return to PCL action Wednesday, April 24, at the home of Father Judge. Game time is 3:45 p.m.

“It’s just rebirth and rebuilding,” said Flanegan. “It’s all about our team moving forward.”