Photos/Videos: Samuel Igiozee & Zack Beavers
By: Samuel Igiozee
BRYN MAWR, PA – Another bright and sunny day for the inaugural week of the Friends School League boys soccer division.
The Shipley Gators hosted its rival, the Westtown Moose, on Thursday, Sept. 15 and the Shipley School’s “Swamp” (the Gators’ student section) came out in full force to support their soccer team.
As the first minutes of the game began, both teams were trying to find holes in each other’s defenses. Both teams traded corner kicks throughout the entire first half, but no goals were scored.
When the second half began, the Gators and the Moose continued from where they left in the first half with both teams keeping at each other’s pace. As the second half began to wind down, Jack McDaid, senior midfielder for the Gators, scored the team’s first goal of the FSL season.
McDaid stated that the communication between his teammate, Ethan Heyward, a freshman forward, set up the game’s only goal.
Shipley vs. Westtown - PSD Highlights by Samuel Igiozee
“In the build up to the goal I won a header in my own half and continued running forward,” McDaid said.
McDaid continued stating that the ball was in Heyward’s possession and called out to him to pass the ball. McDaid initially missed his first shot and immediately called out to Heyward again which led to the goal.
The Gators’ defense prevented the Moose from coming back as the game came to a close.
After the game, McDaid talked about scoring the first goal in league play this season.
“It was an amazing feeling to score my first goal of the season in such a big occasion.” McDaid said.
He also commented how exciting it was to score the winning goal after beating a historic rival. He stated that scoring in front of the home crowd, as well as celebrating with his teammates, was electric.
The Gators’ head coach, Thomas Schauerman, commented about his team’s defense against the Moose.
“We work a lot on keeping the ball because we are a technical team,” Schauerman said.
Schauerman stated that if the team can train at a high level as well as work hard on maintaining possession, it will make defending easier.
Shipley vs. SCHA - PSD Photos from Shipley Play Day by Zack Beavers
He also commented how fortunate to have talented and smart players who communicate and maintain the team’s shape.
When asked what his main goal for his team was, coach Schauerman stated that his team “should be competitive every game” and to learn to evolve each contest.
Currently, Shipley garners an unblemished 4-0 overall record, with key non-league victories against Inter-Ac powers Malvern Prep (1-0) and Episcopal Academy (3-0) and Devon Prep (5-0) out of the Philadelphia Catholic League. The Gators also defeated Springside Chestnut Hill Academy 2-0 in the Shipley Play-Day tournament at the end of August.
Shipley will travel to play Moorestown Friends this afternoon. Westtown also continues their journey on the road to play Abington Friends School. Game times are at 4:00 p.m.