Knoch learns lessons in 21-0 loss to Mars
JEFFERSON TWP — In a weird way, Knoch might gain strength from its 21-0 boys lacrosse section loss to Mars on Monday night.
The Knights (0-4, 0-3) didn’t gain possession on the attacking side of the field until nearly 10 minutes had passed, by then slipping into a 7-0 hole. The hosts’ first shot came with 9:42 left in the second quarter and they were out-shot by Mars, 57-5, on the night.
“They didn’t come to the sidelines (with their) heads down, dejected,” Knoch coach Jake Wood said of his players. “They didn’t give up. They played through. It helps them see, too, just like, ‘Hey, this is the best team in the state. Look at how these guys play, how they’re focusing.’ They hardly drop a pass, anything.
“You can see how a great lacrosse team plays.”
The Knights learned the lesson with a weight off their shoulders.
“This game, we know is tough,” Wood said. “They’re the No. 1 team in the state. (We) knew it coming in. I said to the boys, ‘Don’t worry about the scoreboard with this one. Go out there, focus on your game, (and) have fun with it.’”
The perennial power Planets (4-0, 3-0) got a hat trick out of Penn State-bound senior attack Enzo Grieco not three minutes in. Sophomores Henry Saver and Grant Weaver and seniors Ryan Blake and Gael Avalos added first-quarter scores.
Mars has out-scored its opponents, 65-15, to start the new season.
“It’s been really important to get off to a quick start,” Planets coach Bob Marcoux said. “We’ve been trying to rotate a lot of guys through, get a lot of guys experience early on. It was a good night for us.”
Grieco finished with five markers and almost had another on a try from the 40-yard line as time expired on the initial frame.
“I feel like we slowed them down, quarter by quarter,” Wood said. “I had a sophomore, Camden Christie, who asked me before the game, he’s like, ‘Coach, I want to cover him (Grieco).’ He didn’t back down from that challenge.”
Junior Ian Coulter had a game-high six goals for Mars, while Truitt had three and senior Dylan Phillips two. Senior Jack McKenzie, Coulter, and Grieco also had an assist each.
“We’ve got a bunch of sophomores that we’re getting up to speed,” Marcoux said. “Henry Saver has been playing really well. Grant Weaver’s also been playing really well, and they’ve been getting in a lot of experience early on this year.
“I think it’s going to benefit them a lot come playoff time.”
Knoch’s best crack at scoring came while with a man up during the second quarter. Paul Kuczynski’s attempt zipped just wide of the top right corner after he’d drew the Planets penalty 30 seconds prior. Ethan Kaper’s shot also missed the mark as the first half ended.
In goal, senior Hunter Essary made 16 saves for the Knights.
“They’re excited to be here,” Wood said. “They could’ve easily all shown up today with heads down and been like, ‘Coach, I don’t want to play.’ But no one backed away from the opportunity. They were all ready to go. They all knew what they were fighting for here today. ... They met it head-on.”
In theory, things will get easier for a Knoch team that previously had to compete with a red-hot Butler team on the road.
“Nothing against the second half of our schedule, but the beginning of our schedule is definitely tough,” Wood said. “I think, honestly, it would be harder if we started off with three bad teams, per se. Then you get all of this confidence like, ‘Look how great we are.’ Then, all of a sudden, we run into Mars and it could really knock you down a peg.”
