Trib HSSN rewind: A look back at the 2019 boys lacrosse season

By: Greg Macafee
Friday, July 19, 2019 | 5:49 PM

Previous Next

The 2019 boys lacrosse season was one of historical feats.

The Mars Fightin’ Planets won their fourth straight WPIAL Class AA championship, and the Pine Richland Rams fought their way through a few different injuries in order to capture their first WPIAL Class AAA title.

The most winning class in PR Lacrosse history! Thank you to the 2019 Senior class for your commitment, sacrifice and leadership. You have truly left your mark!

-65-16 overall record
-Fewest goals allowed in a season
-Most goals scored in a season
-1st WPIAL Championship ? pic.twitter.com/zRlzg25JCc

— Pine-Richland Lax (@PineRichlandLax) June 2, 2019

??They did it!!! 4X WPIAL CHAMPS!!! Congratulations Mars Boys Lacrosse!!! #wehavegreatthingstodo #marsarea pic.twitter.com/s5PWBJTTpM

— Mars Area SD (@MarsAreaSD) May 25, 2019

For the last two seasons, the Rams had suffered early exits in the WPIAL playoffs, but they earned their first playoff victory in blowout fashion with a 19-4 win over Class AAA defending champion Peters Township. Then, they took down Shady Side Academy, 9-6, in the semifinals in order to advance to the WPIAL final.

They weren’t going to let that opportunity slip through their fingers as they led Mt. Lebanon for a majority of the game, before sealing their first title with a 12-5 victory.

Pine-Richland beats Mt. Lebanon to capture 1st #WPIAL boys lacrosse championship #TribHSSN @PRSchools @PineRichlandLax https://t.co/kjzAyoSZz7

— TribLive HSSN (@TribLiveHSSN) May 25, 2019

The Rams went on to defeat District 10 champion McDowell, 17-3, in the first round of the PIAA Class AAA tournament, but they came up short against District 1 champion Conestoga in the second round.

Mt. Lebanon won its PIAA first-round game, defeating District 3 champion Palmyra, 10-9, before losing to District 1 third-place finisher, Radnor, 13-4, in the second round.

Pine-Richland’s Dane Dowiak was named the WPIAL Class AAA Player of the year, and his teammates, Will Harnick, and Jon Scherer, were voted to the All-WPIAL team, selected by a coaches’ vote. Bethel Park’s Tim Schreiber was named the Class AAA Coach of the Year.

Congratulations to Junior Attackman Dane Dowiak!

AAA WPIAL Player of the Year
All American
AAA All WPIAL Selection
All-Section Selection @PennStateHockey pic.twitter.com/48efOnlMtc

— Pine-Richland Lax (@PineRichlandLax) June 3, 2019

In what was supposed to be a rebuilding year for Mars, after losing 18 seniors to graduation, the Fightin’ Planets found a way to secure the WPIAL championship hardware for the fourth straight year. Not only did they accomplish their goal, but they did it in exciting fashion, ousting Hampton, 9-8, in overtime.

THERE IT IS. The Mars Fightin Planets are the Class 2A WPIAL Champions for the 4th year in a row. Chris Sicher nets his 3rd goal of the game off an assist from Mike Doyle. @TribLiveHSSN

— Greg Macafee (@greg_macafee) May 25, 2019

Senior attacker Mike Doyle, who had scored more than 100 goals on the season and scored 12 in their WPIAL semifinal victory over Freeport, was named the WPIAL Class AA Player of the Year. He was joined by two other teammates, Nate Smith and Garrett Reinke, on the All-WPIAL team, and Freeport’s David Riley was named the Class AA Coach of the Year.

Mars, Hampton and Quaker Valley all advanced to the PIAA Class AA tournament. Quaker Valley fell in the first round to District 3 champion Hershey, which later knocked out Mars in the second round. Hampton defeated District 10 champion Meadville in the first round, 11-3, but suffered a seven-goal loss to District 1 runner-up Strath Haven in the second round.

Boys lacrosse standouts voted to #WPIAL All-Star teams #TribHSSN https://t.co/dAfciYTtux

— TribLive HSSN (@TribLiveHSSN) June 10, 2019

Greg Macafee is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Greg by email at gmacafee@triblive.com or via Twitter .

Tags: Bethel Park, Freeport, Hampton, Mars, Mt. lebanon, Pine-Richland, Quaker Valley