Sichak’s OT Goal Lifts Tigers Over Bulldogs
By: Jared Barton
The North Allegheny boys’ lacrosse team needed overtime to take down the Wilson Bulldogs 9-8 in the first round of the PIAA playoffs from George Mack Stadium in West Lawn.
The Tigers had the major edge in the first half, as NA took an early three-goal lead in the first quarter. Sophomore Jonathan Castillo opened the scoring with a wrap-around tally in the first three minutes. Fellow sophomore Nick Sichak found the back of the net, assisted by junior Travis Lamark. On a man-up, Lamark then connected from the doorstep courtesy of a cross-field pass from senior Evan Lyon. Wilson senior Ben Rada scored to open the second quarter, but goals from junior Sam Porter and Lyon gave North Allegheny a 5-1 lead at halftime.
Bulldog sophomore Luke Azzanesi opened the scoring and a second-half comeback bid by Wilson. Castillo scored his second of the contest about a minute later, but Wilson tallied three straight markers from junior Carter Brensinger. NA held a 6-5 lead in the early stages of the fourth quarter. Junior Nolan Moyer tied the game with seven and a half minutes left in regulation, and less than a minute later Wilson senior Cohen Renninger gave the Bulldogs a lead for the first time. NA battled for possession in the final minutes and Sichak found the equalizer with 1:46 left. Porter scored his second of the game with 0:54 left to give the Tigers a late lead. The Bulldogs called a timeout after a faceoff win, and scored in a mass scramble for a loose ball in front of the NA net with just three seconds left in regulation.
Sophomore Luke Rohan won the OT faceoff and set up NA with the lone possession of the extra frame. Sichak scored the game-winner in another battle for a loose groundball in front of the Bulldog net just 48 seconds into overtime. The hat trick marker earned him Wright Automotive Player of the Game honors. Junior Logan Lyle had another strong game in net, making 12 saves in the contest. Midfield work from senior Aidan Rabenstein and juniors Jack Ferraro, Kaden Brown and Colman Craft was also important in the Tigers’ win.
NA heads the PIAA Quarterfinal on Saturday where they will take on Radnor, the third place team out of District 1 at a site and time to be determined. The North Allegheny Sports Network will provide live audio coverage of the contest.
BOYS LACROSSE SUMMARY VS. WILSON, 6-4-24
| SCORE BY QUARTERS | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | FINAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Allegheny | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 9 |
| Wilson | 0 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 8 |