Boys Lacrosse: Conner, Huestis help Strath Haven nip Marple Newtown

NETHER PROVIDENCE >> Strath Haven head coach Jef Hewlings knows his team is not as loaded as some of the juggernauts around the state, but it makes up for it in a variety of other ways. The Panthers slow the game down and use the clock to their advantage by controlling the pace. Sometimes they prefer to run and have their attackers take off as soon as they cross the midfield. Other times, Hewlings just sits back and allows his two leading scorers to take over, which is exactly what they did against Central League rival Marple Newtown Thursday night.

Behind Jeffrey Conner’s four goals and three assists, and Will Huestis’ four goals and one assist, the Panthers clawed their way to an 11-8 victory over Marple Newtown in the second round of the District One playoffs. Huestis got things going with the first goal for Strath Haven after Marple’s Tyler Kostack scored the opening goal of the game, and Conner went off for three in the second quarter alone. Hewlings appreciated being able to just let his two midfielders control the game instead of calling set plays on certain possessions.

“We’re not a deep team and we’re trying to survive a few injuries right now so those guys know they have to stay on the field,” Hewlings said. “They have to play offense, defense and between the restraining lanes. They know when to get off to get their rest, get back on and do what they need to with the ball to get us where we need to be.”

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Strath Haven’s Will Huestis drives down the field under the watchful eye of Marple Newtown’s Matt Deacon in the Panthers’ 11-8 win Thursday in the District One tournament. (Digital First Media/Robert J. Gurecki