Timeout sparks Tornado offense

By Derek Pyda
Eagle Staff Writer

BUTLER TWP Butler boys lacrosse coach Ed Swierczyk knows he has a talented team, but he also wants to see it play to its potential.
That wasn't happening in the early part of Wednesday's section game against North Hills
With North Hills leading 1-0 after a goal from Scott Hartman, Swierczyk called a timeout with a little more than five minutes left in the opening quarter.
"I told them that they were playing down a level. We came out flat," he said. "Sometimes we take an opponent for granted and we can't do that."
The message must have gotten through as the Golden Tornado tied the game and dominated the remaining action in a 13-3 victory at Art Bernardi Stadium.
Cody Conklin scored the equalizer with 26 seconds left in the first period. He was one of five Butler players to find the net.
Five of the Golden Tornado's goals came from junior attacker Tyler Kotch.
He led an offense that seemed able to score at will during certain points, evidenced by the Tornado's five goals in a span of 7:30 of the second period, helping Butler take a 6-2 lead into halftime.
"It all comes down to passing and teamwork. That's why we were able to play so well tonight," said Kotch, who has played on the varsity team since his freshman season and has 17 goals this year.
"Tyler brings a will and desire to the team," said Swierczyk. "He needs to improve his shot selection, but he's able to take over games because he wants it so bad."
Also scoring for Butler, which led 11-2 after three quarters, were Conklin with four goals, Cole Harvey with two, and Tim Smith and Evan Andreyo with one each.
North Hills' other two goals came from Matt Harper and Grady Cummings, but, for the most part, it was a frustrating evening for the Indians.
With Butler's offense controlling the play for much of the game, North Hills' scoring opportunities were spread out.
Even when the Indians did break into the Tornado's zone, more often than not Butler goalie Alex Hill watched his defense gobble up opposing attackers before gaining possession and taking the action to the other end of the field.
"Our defense is improving and it has a lot to do with (assistant) coach Jim Vollberg," said Swierczyk. "He's been working with the defense and coming up with different coverages to throw at teams."
Hill made nine saves in the win, while North Hills goalie Barry Brando had eight stops.
Adding assists for Butler (4-3, 3-0) were Nathan Barthlow with three, Kotch and Conklin with two apiece, and Pat Hitchan, Dominic Farmer and Levi Dellen with one each.