MID PENN CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW

HERSHEY vs CARLISLE

Saturday, May 10th 1:00pm

Landis Field, Central Dauphin Middle School

For LIVE scoring updates CLICK HERE

    We all know the back story at this point. Hershey won the title against Carlisle in 2012, 8-5. Carlisle defeated Hershey last season in the title game 12-8. They now meet for the third straight season to determine the Mid Penn Championship. Both teams have seemingly been on a collusion course with one another all spring. The closest any Mid Penn team got to beating either squad was a 6-2 game between Carlisle and Central Dauphin in early April. For Hershey it was a 14-8 game against Trinity. These are hands down the two best teams in the Mid Penn and tomorrow should provide a ton of excitement and some excellent lacrosse.

    

       All time Hershey holds the edge at 7-4 against the Herd (2-1 in Mid Penn Championship games). Since the inception of the Mid Penn Hershey has been in 5 of the 6 championship games winning in '09, '11', and '12. Carlisle is in their third MP title game and has been gaining on Hershey in the rivalry winning 2 of their last 3 meetings. This game will go along way to establish who has the upper hand between the two. A Hershey win solidifies their dominance in the Mid Penn. A Carlisle win establishes them as the new head of the class.

      

(More after the jump)

     We are going to do player by player analysis here shortly but we must review their bought a few weeks ago to get some indicators of how the game will go (full report  here). Carlisle won the mid season contest 10-6 in a game that was really never all that close. The Herd got out early to a 5-0 first quarter lead and was able to play their classic ball control offensive style the rest of the way. This, coupled with excellent performances by Mark Bowser in the net and Sid Ewell on defense, took Jake Wilson, Logan Calhoun, and the rest of the Hershey offense out of rhythm and the pressure mounted quickly. This was never more evident than after the Trojans managed only 1 goal during a 3 minute locked in penalty sequence late in the second quarter. Hershey could never cut the lead to less than three and the day belonged to Carlisle.

    

      Looking ahead to Saturday we would be surprised if things unfolded in the exact same manner. Both squads are very talented and have excellent coaches in Kidder and Schein who will undoubtedly have adjusted their game plans since the last time they met. The key points will how ever remain the same. For Carlisle excellent defense and controlling the ball/clock will be paramount. For Hershey not falling behind early and being able to get consistent offensive possessions will be critical. The transitional game often determines lacrosse scores and with Dave Sickler involved Hershey is always dangerous in that regard. Carlisle was the better team in the middle of the field last time. It will be interesting to see who controls rides and clears and we believe that will ultimately determine the winner.

    

      Both of these teams want this game badly and although they are filled with players who have won it previously there is nothing that compares to winning a Mid Penn title your senior year, being a larger part of a championship team, or besting a rival. We fully expect both teams to be hungry for a victory and not satisfied with past achievements.

CARLISLE

14-2 (12-0 in the Mid Penn)

Max Breschi - Attack

Breschi is the Herds all-time leading scorer and is a guarantee to be involved in the scoring. With 39 goals and 23 assists his numbers are not overwhelming but that is mainly due to his teams style of play. We fully expect Breschi to be a focal point in this game.

Jon Mundell - Midfielder

Mundell is a dynamic player who is a great face-off man with an excellent ability to dodge and shoot as well as find the open man. He is a hustler and despite his size can go toe to toe with any player in the Mid Penn. Mundell is a leader for the Herd and his presence will be felt.

Sid Ewell - Defense

With 90 ground balls and 33 caused turnovers on the year Ewell has been a force. A strong argument can be made that he is the best all around player in the Mid Penn and is certainly one of the best athletes in the area. Ewell is capable of hurting you in a number of ways and is a crafty player. The constant challenger we expect him to give the Hershey attack fits all day. 

Collin Wallace - Attack

With 24 goals and 13 assists Wallace is the #2 man behind Breschi. Also capable of scoring from a few different areas he will be one of the role players the Herd needs to beat Hershey twice in one year.

Bryce Stevenson - Defense

Rarely reported on this season sophomore defender Stevenson was an underrated part of Carlisle success and huge part of replenishing a defense that lost all three starters at the end of last season. With 19 ground balls and 13 takeaways on the season he will need to play great defense for the Herd.

Mark Bowser - Goalie

Arguably the best goalie in the Mid Penn Bowser played phenomenally well the last time these two squads met. A great defense starts with the goalie and Bowser is the quarterback for his squad. In addition to his athletic ability Bowser has hands down the best haircut in the league.

HERSHEY

16-2 (11-1 in the Mid Penn)

Logan Calhoun - Attack

A senior leader Calhoun has continued the great play he has become known for in years past. A tall and lean attack-man he is excellent at cutting and receiving feeds for quick shots. He can also go one on one very well from GLE. With 49 goals and 27 assists he was consistently dominant all season scoring 3 or more goals in 15 games.

George Briggs - Attack

Briggs is a huge part of the Hershey offense and a phenomenal distributor. He had 9 assists against Northern, 8 against Palmyra, and 8 against Cocalico. Those are numbers you see once and can't believe, he did it three separate times. An unselfish player Briggs led the Mid Penn with 51 assists while still scoring 31 goals of his own and being one of the leagues top scorers.

Jake Wilson - Attack

The third Hershey attack-man is also an excellent player and rounds out a group that may be the best ever to compete in the Mid Penn. Wilson led the league in goals with 48 and had 16 assists. It is imperative Hershey move the ball well and get him involved in scoring.

Karl VanBlargen/Jimmy Eberle - Midfield

A dynamic midfielder VanBlargen is athletic and controls the midfield alongside Travers Award finalist Jimmy Eberle. Both of these players stats are not overwhelming because they due their job (getting the ball to the attack) and do it very well. They are both top talents in the area and huge part of the game plan.

Dave Sickler - LSM

Sickler is one of, if not the, best players in the Mid Penn and has been for a number of years. #22 controls the middle of the field and is a force on defense and in transition where he scored 9 goals this season. Sickler can change games with his athleticism and even though this game will come down to multiple factors and players he is the one person we think could actually determine the outcome.

Matt Stewart - FOGO

Stewart is the best face-off man in the Mid Penn and he and Mundell will lock horns all day on Saturday. Having a great FOGO (face off get off) is a critical asset to teams at this level as it can swing the possession stats your way.

Jack Donahue - Defense

The junior pole with 31 ground balls on the season was also a force in one on one defense and presents a real threat to Breschi and Wallace getting to the net.

Kyle Kondracki - Goalie

An unquestioned leader and great goalie Kondracki is also noted as one of the leagues top keepers with a 65% save percentage. In a day where clutch saves could determine the outcome Kondracki is a an excellent player to have backing your team.