Butler boys lacrosse too much for Meadville in 20-6 rout
BUTLER TWP — The Butler boys lacrosse team’s non-league game against Meadville Monday will go into the books as a dominating 20-6 victory.
More importantly for the Golden Tornado, it was the continuation of valuable momentum gained Friday at Fox Chapel.
Trailing the Foxes 6-2 at halftime, Butler rallied for a key 11-10 section win.
“Winning that game was absolutely big for our confidence, especially after getting crushed by North Allegheny Wednesday,” said junior Grant Terwilliger, who scored six times against Meadville. “It looks like we have a decent chance of making the (WPIAL) playoffs.”
“The comeback in that game was because of the offense,” said Butler coach Trevor Monteleone. “Ayden Davis, Grant Terwilliger and Jared Chantz, they all played very well.”
All three players contributed to making it a frustrating night for the Bulldogs (3-3) at Art Bernardi Stadium.
Led by three goals from Davis, the Golden Tornado jumped out to a 7-1 lead in the first quarter.
Davis finished the night with five scores.
“We knew our offense was going to dominate just a few minutes into tonight’s game,” Terwilliger said.
The Tornado out-shot Meadville 32-6 in the first half, during which Butler capitalized on four of five man-up opportunities.
Butler goalie Julius Collins made one save in that span before Matthew Aguirre stopped two shots in the second half.
Landon Dubyak added three goals in the victory, Chantz scored two goals early to help Butler take control and Brody Simko added a pair.
Grant Holt and Eli Shay both found the net as well.
Butler improved to 4-4 overall and stands at 2-2 in section games. With the top six of nine teams qualifying for the district playoffs out of Section 2-3A, the team has put itself in position to make a run with four section games remaining.
“We’ve revamped the offense, gotten a bit simpler with the play-calling,” said Monteleone. “It was a struggle against NA (an 18-3 loss), but they’re an elite program. We have a big section game against Central Catholic here Wednesday and entering that after two strong wins, that’s just what we want.”
The Tornado will play another crucial section contest at Pine-Richland Thursday before traveling north to Erie County to face Fairview Saturday afternoon.
