West Deptford storms past Bishop Eustace

If the net was a glowing light, Zach Kaestner was the gnat fixated on weaving, wobbling, and often crashing into it Wednesday in the West Deptford boys' lacrosse team's 13-11 win over Bishop Eustace.

Kaestner's teammates call him "Squirt." His coach, Mike Yarusso, describes him as the type of player who is usually getting up off the ground every time he scores a goal.

Yarusso said Kaestner, a sophomore attack, stands about 5-foot-4 and weighs about 135 pounds.

"Actually, change that," Kaestner said. "I'm really about 150."

Call it a debatable subject for now. But what can't be argued is the sophomore's growing impact on his team.

Kaestner netted five goals and two assists in a persistent rain Wednesday on the turf at Bishop Eustace.

He helped seal the Eagles' third straight win and first in the Olympic Conference National Division.

Kaestner "just has that fearless mentality," Yarusso said. "And, you know what? He can give it, too. He's not afraid out there."

Junior Nick Reardon and senior Eric Gendron, both attackmen, each netted a hat trick for West Deptford (3-2 overall, 1-1 Olympic National).

With Reardon and Gendron already established at attack, the emergence of Kaestner should give the Eagles enough firepower to be competitive in a tough division.

"I'm definitely starting to feel more comfortable out there," said Kaestner, who has played lacrosse since fifth grade and saw limited varsity action as a freshman.

"And, as far as being small, I just don't really care about any of that stuff. It's just a game. I just try to look at it like they're all the same size. It doesn't really bother me."

Senior Joel McGowan turned in a strong performance for Bishop Eustace (3-1, 2-1). His four goals gave him 96 for his career.

McGowan sharply bounced the ball off the turf and past Eagles goalie Michael Nahas to put the Crusaders ahead by 5-2 with 10 minutes, 14 seconds left in the first half.

But West Deptford went on to score eight of the next 10 goals.

"We just started possessing the ball a little better," Reardon said. "Our attack just got going, and it worked out."

Reardon scored two goals in a third period in which West Deptford outscored Bishop Eustace, 6-2.

"I think, instead of just forcing it to the goal, we were able to play smarter and figure out ways to be successful," Yarusso said.

West Deptford led by 12-9 with less than three minutes to play before Bishop Eustace made one final push.

The Crusaders scored twice in less than 10 seconds to cut the lead to one. But West Deptford held possession for most of the final two minutes.

"We knew all of these division games would be tough," Bishop Eustace coach Ray Carlin said. West Deptford is, he added, "a good team, a well-coached team. And we didn't expect to win them all. But this was a heck of a battle."

West Deptford   2 2 6 3 – 13

Bishop Eustace   3 2 2 4 – 11

Goals: WD-Eric Gendron 3, Zach Kaestner 5, Nick Reardon 3, Nick Baud, Ryan Monoghan; BE-Joel McGowan 4, Brendan Dale 2, Sterling Long 3, Tyler Margraf, Jon McGowan.

Saves: WD-Michael Nahas 16; BE-Kevin Cardillo 9.