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(Leagues Map)TEAM PROFILE: FATHER JUDGE
Niagara-Bound Petitti Turns Stingy vs. AAA Competitors
Matt Petitti's stubborn tending has kept this year's Judge Crusaders
in some tough games. (Photo: Stringer. Click for full size.)
February 7, 2010
The 2009-10 Father Judge Crusaders' regular season will not be confused with the most accomplished of campaigns in the club's illustrious history. But after starting slowly in the AAA division, and despite being outgunned by the top programs, the runners-up in the 2009 Flyers Cup AAA tournament are showing grit in every one of their recent games.
The Crusaders have played everyone tough in the weeks since coming back from the holiday break, but managed only an 0-2-3 record against five teams that all rank higher in the AAA Top 10. They earned ties against La Salle, Archbishop Ryan and St. Joseph's Prep and played to one-goal losses against No. 1 Holy Ghost and Malvern.
A big part of what makes this team tough is the play of goalie Matt Petitti. The 5' 9", 160 lb. senior has logged more than 500 minutes between the pipes this season, second-most of any goalie in the Lower Bucks County League. His 3.86 goals-against average is the lowest among goalies who have played ten full games. And both of Petitti's wins on the season have been shutouts, the latest a 6-0 blanking of Boyertown.
Ready for Niagara: Petitti. (Photo: Stringer. Click for full size.)
Petitti's most recent effort was typical of his performances in the second half. The Crusaders were outshot 35-11 against the La Salle Explorers, generating just a single shot in the third period. But while La Salle fired a barrage of pucks at the net and spent the majority of the period in the offensive zone, Petitti turned each shot away in the last frame, preserving the tie.
Earlier last month, Petitti stopped 35 of 37 shots in a 2-2 tie against Ryan. Even when the Crusaders don't get points, Pettiti has been brilliant, as he was against Holy Ghost in a 4-3 loss.
According to sources close to the situation, Petitti has been accepted at Niagara University, where he hopes to compete for a position on the Purple Eagles hockey team.
The Crusaders have been getting regular offensive support from senior Frank Veneziale, who averages a point per game. Promising freshman Dylan Plitt shares the team lead with Veneziale with six goals.
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