Seniors lead way in win over Spellman.
WHITMAN – With 5:38 remaining in the third quarter, Whitman-Hanson Regional High senior Ryan Downing stumbled to the ground on one knee, but still managed to release a shot that skipped into the net.
Downing falling down and still finds a way to score, giving him a hat trick. 8-3 @WHathletics w/ 5:58 left in the third. pic.twitter.com/ZkOAZNXHvn
— Nate Rollins (@n_rollins1) May 17, 2019
It was that kind of night for the Panthers (9-9), who received multi-goal efforts from five of their seniors on their night in a 16-3 dispatching of Cardinal Spellman on Friday, May 17.
It was all Downing in the opening 7:11 as the midfielder ripped home two goals to push the Panthers in front, 2-0.
Ryan Downing with the goal. @WHathletics jumps ahead, 1-0, w/ 7:19 left in the opening frame. pic.twitter.com/qYTGpcV1US
— Nate Rollins (@n_rollins1) May 17, 2019
Downing with another. 2-0 @WHathletics w/ 4:51 left in the opening frame. pic.twitter.com/hghTsaG4Yp
— Nate Rollins (@n_rollins1) May 17, 2019
After the Cardinals cut their deficit to 2-1 at the end of the first, senior Shane Ross kicked off the second tossing in the first of his game-high six goals.
Shane Ross breaks free for the goal. 3-1 @WHathletics w/ 8:17 left in the second. pic.twitter.com/JoF2rC36ka
— Nate Rollins (@n_rollins1) May 17, 2019
Senior Riley White (two goals) would beat Spellman goalie Sean Barry to his left with a second to go in the first half to give the Panthers a 5-2 advantage at the break.
Riley White burries one just before the half. 5-2 @WHathletics in front. pic.twitter.com/BK7wVkDr0y
— Nate Rollins (@n_rollins1) May 17, 2019
White opened the third stanza like he closed the second – powering his way in for a goal.
White scores again. 6-2 @WHathletics w/ 10:38 left in the third. pic.twitter.com/lvUhXUDGSH
— Nate Rollins (@n_rollins1) May 17, 2019
Ross followed shortly thereafter with his second tally to give W-H a commanding 7-3 lead and it cruised from there.
Ross with a nice move and score. With 6:50 left in the third, @WHathletics leads by the score of 7-3. pic.twitter.com/ioLjFPSLtG
— Nate Rollins (@n_rollins1) May 17, 2019
Two more goals from Downing and Ross, and a score from classmate Sean Joanis put W-H in front, 12-3, after the third.
“We had a very slow first half,” said W-H head coach Tyler Sabens. “But when we settled down to our offense and defensive systems, then we started to roll. When we start to play within our game plans, things go our way.”
Ross capped the scoring in the fourth with his sixth goal.
“This senior class, they’re just incredible leaders and incredible scholar-athletes,” Sabens said. “They do things the right way. They work hard every day in practice. They set an example to all the underclassmen on the way things are supposed to be done.
“They’re leaving a legacy that’s going to last for years beyond them graduating. That’s all I can ask for.”
W-H returns to action Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. on the road against Marshfield. With a win, the Panthers make the tournament, while a loss will end their season.
“As long as we can take care of business the way we’ve been practicing I think things are looking up Tuesday against Marshfield.”