Photos by Jeff Shomo

By Kenny Varner

STATE COLLEGE – That’s a wrap!

The State College boys lacrosse team ended its week with a home Mid-Penn Contest against Hershey.

In the overcast evening game, the team from Hershey took an early advantage after one but then the Little Lions went on a tear from there taking the contest 8-3.

Ty Salazer and Cooper Brushwood finished his day with hat tricks.

Early in the first quarter State College goalie, Zack Paterno was clutch under pressure numerous time en route to the win.

In the first, Paterno was automatic ending a Trojans possession at nine minutes and then one at five to keep the contest scoreless early on.

After State College three shots on goal it would set up a Hershey goal by  at 4:15, giving Hershey the early 1-0 advantage. Scoring for the Trojans was Tyler Lucas.

The game was a very physical contest as State held an advantage as Hershey had accumulated two consecutive flags on the Little Lion possession.

It would be a minute penalty on Hershey’s Judd Stanley.

It was getting  even more physical as both teams had the ball knocked away late in the first quarter.

But there would not be anymore scoring as Hershey led 1-0 after one.

However, the lead wouldn’t last very long as State College came roaring back as soon as the second quarter got under way.

The Little Lions led off with the first possession, looking to break out on the scoreboard.

Hershey would get the ball back looking to add to its lead.

However, minutes later, State College would get on the board. It would be a clutch steal by Owen Yurka and then a quick pass to and shot by Ty Salazer tying things at 1-1 at the 10:54 mark.

On the following face off, the Little Lions got the next possession and did not waste any time at all to tickle the twine. It would be another score by Salazer for his second goal of the night and 2-1 lead at 10:34.

Picking up the assist was Cooper Brushwood.

Once again, State College won the next face off for the third time in a row.

Brushwood blasted a shot of his own that hit the top left corner at 8:36, making it a 3-1 margin.

Off the Fourth face off, Tommy Edgerer found Salazer giving him the early hat trick  and making it a 4-1 lead with 8:18 left in the half.

The goal forced Hershey to take a time out.

Hershey forced State College into a turnover, the Trojans started working it around the field as the clock dropped  to under five minutes. There were some strong shots at goal but couldn’t get it in the crease and when it got close Paterno stepped up a sent Hershey back frustrated.

The Little lions were on a shooting frenzy but weren’t able to add to the lead until after the intermission.

At the half, State College reversed their fortunes and went into the third  leading, 4-1.

Early on in the Third Quarter Salazer hit his fourth goal at 9:03, upping the Little Lions lead to 5-1.

But at 8:02 Hershey’s Brayden Hitz  blasted a goal cutting it to 5-2.

But an alert play by the Little Lions Tennison Banks put him on the scoreboard as he made the most of rebound off a shot, sending it back through at 6:02.

Holding onto a 6-2 advantage, State College saw it’s lead fall by one when Ryan Grace plastered a shot, cutting it to a 6-3 contest with 5:23 left in the third.

Going into the final stanza, SC led 6-3.

With each tick of the clock the intensity grew on both sides, Hershey pressed the ball early in the fourth trying to cut into the State lead while the Little Lions’ defense was doing everything they could to get the ball back to its offense and keep the Trojans from touching the lead.

It would be Paterno’s time to shine.

Paterno strong  save when Tyler Lucas rushed the middle and Paterno thwarted the shot. With just over six minutes left.

With the ball in State College’s  hands as it made the most of it as they got a goal from Brushwood to ice things at 5:04, 7-3.

With just 2:25 Brushwood got the hat trick making it an 8-3 win.