TOWAMENCIN – It is very easy to forget that there is so much more to sports than the ticking clock, tweeting whistles, and the zebras making controversial calls. Behind efforts being displayed by the teams on the field, is usually a bigger cause, one that propels them to push their limits and fight for much more than the numbers illuminated at the end of the night.

This was the case for the North Penn Girls Lacrosse team Wednesday night as they played their annual Lax for Leukemia game; an event hosted in honor of Alyssa Marie Oxenford, a 2011 North Penn Lacrosse Alumni who lost her life to cancer and 2022 North Penn alumni, Belle Sparango who won her fight against Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. This game in particular was much more than the teams on the field, but the greater purpose they hold near and dear to their hearts. 

“This game is our favorite game of the year because the cause is really important to us, especially because it was a North Penn player that was affected by leukemia. We try to focus on getting really hyped for the game, decorating and really being together as a team so we can have fun on the field and play our hardest for those who are fighting,” North Penn Lacrosse Senior Captain Katie Harkins stated. 

It was a hard fought battle, but ultimately the Knights (6-8) fell to Council Rock North (10-2) 18-5. 

North Penn struck first with a low shot from junior Kelly Woolver giving them the early lead, but both teams were unable to maintain strong possession following the goal. Council Rock answered with two goals, and then North Penn retaliated, closing the first quarter with a 2-2 tie. 

The Knight’s momentum didn’t last long as North dominated the second quarter. Scoring 10 unanswered goals and winning 6/8 draws controls, North looked to be unstoppable going into the half with a convincing 12-2 lead. 

North Penn came out strong, winning the first draw control of the half and opening the scoring. Council Rock responded with a goal four minutes later. The back-and-forth continued with freshman Maddie Gorman tallying two goals in the final five minutes of the half, reducing their deficit to 9. 

Council Rock scored another goal in the opening minutes of the final quarter and although junior Quinn Rodoff matched it 2 minutes later, it wasn’t enough for a comeback. North capped off the night with a four goal rally making the final score 18-5. 

The #26 seeded Knights take on #16 Council Rock South next Monday (5/5) and a win could be the key to keeping their playoff chances alive as the top 24 seeds make the District One tournament.