Goalie too much for Butler
WEXFORD — Justin Happ stopped everything in the final 31 minutes, including Butler's season.
The Greensburg Central Catholic goalie denied 13 of the 16 shots he faced in the Centurions' 11-3 WPIAL Division II boys lacrosse semifinal win Wednesday at North Allegheny High's stadium.
"He was phenomonal out there," said GCC coach Mike Evans of Happ. "He made some point-blank saves."
Two of those saves came late in the first half with the Golden Tornado trailing 5-3, when Happ made a save on a shot from Butler's Cody Bachman.
The rebound was picked up by Nathan Barthlow, who rifled another shot at Happ, but the goalie made the save.
The score remained 5-3 at halftime.
"(Happ) played a smart game," said Evans. "He did a great job of outletting to start some fast breaks for us. He played close to a perfect game."
But there were also missed opportunities on Butler's part.
"On the offensive end, we didn't do a good job of protecting our sticks," said Butler coach Ed Swierczyk. "We allowed Greensburg's players to get clear checks on us.
"And the scoring opportunities we did have, we weren't able to convert," he added.
With Butler's offense struggling to find its groove, the Centurions took advantage and took an 8-3 lead into the final period after a pair of third period goals from Matt Kolenich and one from Joe Lunz.
Three more GCC goals followed in the fourth, as the Centurions won a once close game going away.
"A lot of it came down to groundballs," said Swierczyk. "Greensburg was able to get to more of them."
"It started with our defense," Evans said of his team scoring the final eight goals of the game. "We were able to neutralize Butler and they had to start taking some chances. Offensively, we were just unrelenting."
Barthlow gave Butler (9-6) an early 1-0 lead with a goal two minutes and 15 seconds into the game.
After two GCC goals, Tyler Kotch evened the game with another goal for the Tornado.
Bachman scored midway through the second period to answer a Centurion goal that came with just two seconds left on the first quarter clock.
Alex Hill tallied 12 saves for Butler.
Ryan Neeven, Matt Pezze and Kolenich all scored three times for Greensburg Central Catholic.
Though its season ended one game shy of the WPIAL title game, Butler boys lacrosse made huge strides in 2009.
"Between the skill-level of our players and the support we received from the school this year, I think it was a turning point for the whole program," Swierczyk said.
