PHILADELPHIA – In a game that looked one sided from the beginning, it was Lansdale Catholic who grabbed its first early season PCL victory against Archbishop Ryan yesterday afternoon.
Lansdale Catholic opened the scoring in the first quarter, claiming an early 2-0 lead. After giving a few back, and picking up another, the Crusaders lead 3-2 to start the second. LC once again came out firing.
For the duration of the second and third, Ryan barely saw the offensive zone. Lansdale was running the show, capitalizing again and again, pushing the lead to 7 points, 9-2. The offensive onslaught was deflating the home fans for sure, until a little fourth quarter magic by the Raiders brought spirits up. Scoring 5 goals to LC's 1, Ryan trimmed the lead to 3. The Ryan faithful were shouting out good vibes as the clock ticked down.
An Archbishop Ryan teacher who came out to support his students could be heard saying: "There's still time," with one minute remaining on the clock. When the final horn sounded, LC's lead was a little more-narrow, 10-7, but a win regardless.
LC's first goal of the afternoon came from freshman Ryan Flanegan, the first goal of his career. After the game, Flanegan would go on to credit the goal to his teammates, and to give a particular shoutout to goalie, Bobby Bausman, who did not give up a single goal through the 2nd and 3rd quarter.
“It felt great to put the first point up,” Flanegan said.
Looking ahead: Ryan will host St. Joe's Prep next Wednesday, 4/6 and Lansdale Catholic will host Archbishop Carroll on Friday, 4/1.