SPRINGFIELD, PA- On a windy, chilly Wednesday afternoon, La Salle College High School proved why they are a force to be reckoned with by their 19-5 victory over Cardinal O’Hara.
The game was basically over before the first quarter had even ended. With two minutes remaining in the game’s opening quarter, La Salle had already taken a 9-1 lead; it would be 10-1 by quarter’s end.
A lack of possession was a big reason why O’Hara could not keep pace with the Explorers.
Whenever La Salle got their hands on the ball, they were not giving it up until they scored.
The Lions would attempt to battle back, switching to a zone defense after the first. They managed to hold La Salle to only nine goals the rest of the game, but the deficit was just too large for a comeback.
In every aspect of their game, in passing, shooting, and defense, La Salle was in a league of their own.
By the time both teams came back from the half, the score had grown to 13-2 and back up goalies were ready to take the field.
O’Hara would go on to be outscored, 6-3, in the second half.
It seemed as though emotions started to play a factor for O’Hara. As the game wore on defenders began looking to make big hits rather than secure possessions.
The Lions needed a perfect game to get the win, instead they came out a little sloppy which cost them dearly.
“When you make mistakes like dropping the ball and not catching or throwing, a team like La Salle is gonna make you pay,” said O’Hara head coach John Patterson.
“They’re extremely well coached, they are absolutely fundamental in every aspect of lacrosse.”
“If we pick up the mistakes, learn to lacrosse a little bit more, and work on our fundamentals, we’ll be a solid team,” said Patterson.
After losing consecutive games on the road to West Chester-Henderson and West Chester – East, the Lions now find themselves in the midst of a three game losing streak.
They hope to change their fortune this Friday on the road when they face Father Judge.
“Like I told them, we’ve got Judge on Friday, two years ago we took a devastating loss down there and these are the things we need to work on.” said Patterson.