Chase Francis and Andrew Hausch scored third-period goals to lift Penncrest past Springfield-Delco 4-2 Monday night in a Central League interdivisional matchup at IceWorks. The win kept the Lions unbeaten at 10-0 in the American Division (12-3 overall).  They are ranked fourth in the current Class A Flyers Cup rankings. The Cougars dropped to 4-11 overall and 4-7 in the National Division.

Nash Grant gave the Lions a 1-0 lead 11:19 into the opening period. Francis extended that lead 6:18 into the second frame but Alexander Losacco and Brendan Becker scored goals for the Cougars 26 seconds apart to tie the game with 9:36 left in the middle period.

Francis’s game-winner came with 7:55 remaining in regulation on a rebound on a shot from the right point that he put behind Springfield goaltender Aidan Fitti. Hausch added an insurance goal with 1:47 remaining.

“We had trouble keeping up with their energy,” said Penncrest coach Steve Mescanti. That can happen on a Monday after they’ve been playing all weekend.

“We kept at it and grinded one out tonight. We got a couple of gritty goals off hard work. That really was the difference.”

Springfield coach Dan Dilbeck praised his team’s effort after falling behind early.

“It was a very hard fought, competitive game,” he said. “I was very proud of our team for overcoming a 2-0 deficit, but we came up a little short in the end. We were unable to capitalize on our opportunities.”

Olivia Jacobi earned the win in goal with 22 saves.

Penncrest 1 1 2—4

Springfield 0 2 0—2

First-period goal: Nash Grant (P) from Cole McCarty, 11:19;

Second-period goals: Chase Francis (P) from Grant and Michael Iacobucci, 6:18; Alexander Losacco (S) from Joseph Clifford, 6:58; Brendan Becker (S) unassisted, 7:24

Third-period goals: Francis (P) from Iacobucci and Scott Scranton, 9:05; Andrew Hausch (P) unassisted, 15:13

Shots: Penncrest 40, Springfield 24; Saves: Olivia Jacobi (P) 22, Aidan Fitti (S) 36