|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Raiders getting it done
Source:
Butler Eagle
Written by:
Derek Pyda
Published:
May 5, 2010
JACKSON TWP — The Seneca Valley boys lacrosse team's 2010 season has been all about determination.
The squad's seniors want to go out on top and the team as a whole wants to leave its mark on the program in the wake of last year's WPIAL semifinal playoff loss to Mount Lebanon.
So far, so good.
The Raiders (13-0, 5-0) remained undefeated with wins over high schools from Detroit and Toledo, Ohio, last weekend and possess a top 10 spot in the state rankings.
SV has clinched at least a share of the section crown and will win it outright with a victory at Central Catholic today.
"I think the way the playoffs went last season for us has really helped this year's team," said Raiders coach Pete Hoffman. "The kids are working very hard and they're staying humble."
"On the field, we're confident, but not overconfident," said senior attacker Jake McAndrew, who leads the team with 39 goals. "Coach Hoffman is always telling us that whoever we play, we're going to get their best game. We are the team to beat and we have to come ready to play every game."
McAndrew isn't the only one scoring for the Raiders.
"The most impressive thing about us offensively is our balance," Hoffman said. "Of our 28 players, 17 of them have scored goals. We have a lot of guys putting the ball in the net."
Senior long-stick midfielder Joe Natoli leads the team with 19 assists.
"Both Natoli and (defender Joe Chowansky) have played very well for us," said Hoffman. "Every game, (Natoli) is matched up against the other team's best midfielder and (Chowansky) is working against the best attacker.
"And Brian Bohn has been stellar in net for us," he added.
The Raiders received a stiff test April 24 when they hosted Manheim Township, a team from District 3 that brought a No. 9 state ranking into NexTier Stadium.
SV won 13-8 and six different Raiders scored, led by McAndrew (4), and Sean Dailey and Will Koontz, who both scored three times.
The two teams could very well meet again in the state playoffs.
"Everybody that had to step up for us did," Natoli said of the victory. "A lot of people said we wouldn't be as good this year, but all the players worked hard in the offseason and in practice."
"Playing teams from outside the WPIAL gives us a little better competition," said McAndrew. "Those teams come from regions that have had lacrosse longer than we have. It exposes our younger players to a different caliber of play, and that's good."
"We are very happy with where we're at, but the players know that no matter what we do now, we have to take care of business at the end of the season," said Hoffman.
|
|
Back |
|
|
|
|
|
|
