Ready for rematch
JACKSON TWP — In the grand scheme of things, the Seneca Valley boys lacrosse team's showdown tonight at Mt. Lebanon is just another regular season game.
But one the Raiders would sure love to win.
The meeting is a rematch of last year's WPIAL Division I semifinal playoff played at Chartiers Valley High School.
The Raiders saw their dreams of a WPIAL crown evaporate with a 6-5 double-overtime loss to the Blue Devils.
But revenge is not first and foremost in SV coach Pete Hoffman's mind.
"A lot of the players know each other from playing in summer leagues, so there's a bit more emotion involved," said Hoffman following the Raiders' 22-0 shutout of Fox Chapel Wednesday night at NexTier Stadium. "But our main focus is building ourselves for the end of the season."
More importantly, SV's players agree with their coach.
"There may be a little more weight on it than some other games," said senior defenseman Joe Chowansky of tonight's matchup. "But it's not a division game, so we have to keep it in perspective.
"We have to keep getting better so we can get back to where we were last year, and hopefully further."
The Raiders (3-0, 1-0) have a strong core of 14 seniors, but also eight players on the varsity roster who are either sophomores or freshmen.
"It's been really easy meshing everyone together so far," said senior attacker Jake McAndrew, who contributed four assists Wednesday. "All the young guys are willing to work and nobody is the odd man out.
"It's all about working hard and having fun," he added. "When we do those two things is when we play our best."
In Wednesday's win over the Foxes, SV was up 9-0 after one quarter and 16-0 at halftime and the Raiders' second and third-string saw ample playing time.
"This was a good opportunity for the younger players to show what they can do," said Hoffman. "I thought they performed really well."
Leading SV's parade of goals Wednesday was sophomore attacker Mike Argyros with four, Andrew Succop and Sean O'Rourke both had three and Sean Dailey scored two twice.
Single goal scorers included Mason Pynos, Andy Hickman, Brendan Thomas, David Hall, Brady Marburger, Rob Fyock, John Bowers, Ryan Behning, Will Koontz and Jordan Kelley.
Senior Brian Bohn and freshman Jordan Culichia shared time in goal for the Raiders and combined for three saves.
