Perryville downs Rising Sun to win fourth consecutive regional title

PERRYVILLE — The speed and agility of Perryville’s high-powered attack was on full display during Monday’s 1A East Region Final. Perryville defeated Susquehanna divisional foe Rising Sun 17-8 to earn its fourth consecutive regional crown and another trip back to the state tournament.

Perryville will face Southern-Anne Arundel in the state quarterfinals on Wednesday.

Senior midfielders Rowan Gatch and Nick Howes led the way for the Perryville attack. Rowan Gatch finished with four goals, while Howes, Aidan Gatch and Joey Eggerling followed with three scores each.

“It feels amazing,” Howes said of becoming regional champions. “We overcame adversity losing a lot of seniors and we really pulled together this year to build really good team chemistry.”

After finding themselves down a goal at the midway point of the first quarter, Perryville responded by rattling off five consecutive goals in just a matter of three minutes to turn its one-goal deficit into a four-goal advantage. After Rising Sun cut the lead back down to two on goals by Ryan Fenwick and Eric Reynolds, Perryville went on another 5-0 run in just four and a half minutes to grow the lead back up to seven.

Being able to score fast and efficiently has been one of Perryville’s biggest keys to success throughout the season. Rowan Gatch feels that his team’s speed is one of the biggest attributes to its continued success on offense.

“We have a fast team,” Rowan Gatch said. “We probably have some of the fastest guys in the county, so we utilize that speed and talent.”

Rising Sun once again responded to the Perryville run by getting two goals back on scores by Chris Lawrence and Evan Freel, cutting the deficit back down to five. Lawrence led Rising Sun in scoring with four goals.

The Panthers responded with another run of their own, this time a 4-0 push on goals by Howes, Aidan Gatch and Grayson Ittner to grow the lead to as high as nine.

After coming up just one win short of a state title last season, Perryville’s seniors hope to use last year’s playoff run as motivation for another deep push, while continuing to strengthen the strong foundation that they have built over the last four years.

“This year is about rebuilding and setting a foundation for the younger guys that will take our place,” Rowan Gatch said. “We’ve got to show them what Perryville lacrosse is and carry on the tradition of winning.”