After winning another game, the Plymouth Whitemarsh boys lacrosse team had the opportunity to play their celebratory song, Miley Cyrus' 'Party in the U.S.A.'
Colonials' sophomore midfielder Jack Cooper mentioned that the song by Miley Cyrus gets the team excited.
The game between PW and North Penn was a defensive battle at Crawford Stadium, not a lively party.
After being tied at 3-3 in the first half and 4-4 later, Drew Strohl scored a goal to give Plymouth Whitemarsh the lead. The team's defense prevented North Penn from scoring again, and Cooper's two goals secured a 7-4 win for PW.
Cooper mentioned that they were highly energetic and determined to spoil North Penn's Senior Night.
Cooper scored three goals and Strohl scored two, helping the Colonials to secure their 9th consecutive win. Their last loss was on April 16, and they have won six of their recent games away from home.
Six of the Colonials' recent wins have been on the road, including a 7-6 overtime victory over Wissahickon on April 23.
Cooper emphasized that the team is aware that they cannot underestimate any opponent and must continue to fight throughout the game.
Neither team led by more than a goal until Cooper's second goal, increasing PW's lead to 6-4.
Cooper described his decisive shot that helped PW to extend their lead.
Cooper scored his third goal, increasing the Colonials' lead to three points with 4:51 left in the game.
Taylor described the method he used to score.
Dylan Ippolito and Ben Backenstose scored for PW, and Strohl, Caiden Leszczynski, Luke LaViola, and Chase Welliver provided assists. Isaiah Bainbridge achieved nine ground balls and three caused turnovers.
Jainil Patel, Emerson Morelli, Luigi Cardone, and Tyler Kronmiller scored for North Penn, which lost its second consecutive game.
PW has not qualified for the District 1 playoffs since 2016. They are currently 15th in the Class 3A rankings, and there are 24 teams in the tournament.
The Colonials still have a chance to claim the SOL American title if they win their upcoming games and if Upper Dublin, which is 9-0, loses.
North Penn, ranked 30th in the District 1-3A standings, has three games remaining – away games against Truman at 4 p.m. Tuesday and Pope John Paul II at 3:5 p.m. Wednesday followed by hosting Phoenixville at 7 p.m. Friday.
The Knights leveled the score 2-2 with the Colonials with Morrelli’s goal at 3:29 in the first quarter and then took the lead at 3-2 with a Cardone goal from a Vinnie Montmore assist with 18.7 seconds left in the quarter.
PW scored the only goal of the second quarter after forcing a turnover by the goalie, with Ben Backenstose finding the net to make it 3-3 at 7:39.
Strohl gave the Colonials a 4-3 lead with five minutes remaining in the third quarter. Kronmiller equalized for the Knights at 3:39 but that was the last goal for North Penn in the game. The four goals allowed were the second-lowest PW allowed after defeating William Tennent 5-1 on April 9.
“Avoiding unnecessary penalties, staying focused on our defense and maintaining a strong defensive structure,” said Cooper about the Colonials’ defense. “That’s basically it.
Strohl scored for the second time in the quarter at 1:20, securing the lead for Plymouth Whitemarsh.
Plymouth Whitemarsh 7, North Penn 4
Plymouth Whitemarsh 2 1 2 2 – 7
North Penn 3 0 1 0 – 4
Goals: Plymouth Whitemarsh-Jack Cooper 3, Drew Strohl 2, Ben Backenstone, Dylan Ippolito; North Penn-Luigi Cardone, Tyler Kronmiller, Emerson Morrelli, Jainil Patel.
