BOYS SOCCER: Play Day – Plus One – Gives Balance to PCL

Photos/Videos: Zack Beavers, Donna Eckert, Kathy Leister, David Picariello & Krystal Williams

By: John Knebels

PHILADELPHIA – It’s a long haul . . .

The one common denominator among repeated messages delivered to scholastic athletes focuses on looking long range. In other words, the season involves numerous chapters. Don’t over-celebrate success or over-lament failure. Learn from both and move on to the next challenge.

With one third of the season complete, Philadelphia Catholic League boys’ soccer standings contain an uncharacteristically low three teams with a winning record and a staggering six under .500. Over the next few weeks, that anomaly should change.

On this past Saturday’s Play Day, every PCL team competed either at Conwell-Egan High School or Archbishop Ryan High School. In true PCL fashion, two games were decided in two overtimes, and another by one goal in regulation. By Tuesday, momentum had shifted.

Coming off a tough 2-1, double OT loss at Father Judge, Conwell-Egan displayed an impressive ability to bounce back. In the Eagles’ 2-1, double overtime victory over La Salle, juniors Tyler Schmitt and Dylan Kopenits provided perfect amount of offense in helping the Eagles upend the favored Explorers a second straight season.

Trailing 1-0 at halftime, Conwell-Egan coach Mike Rigney “made some tactical adjustments” that resulted in more scoring chances. With senior goalie Anthony Conrey and a particularly strong defensive effort by senior Noah Kiesewetter helping maintain a one-goal deficit, Schmitt fed Kopentis for the tying goal. In the second overtime, the teammates reversed roles.

Conwell-Egan vs. La Salle College High School. (Photos by Kathy Leister for PSD)

Conwell-Egan vs. La Salle. (Video highlights by Kathy Leister for PSD)

“The goal was very exciting,” said Schmitt, who helped the Eagles even their record at 2-2 by defeating Bonner-Prendergast three days later. “The ball came from a punt to which Dylan played me a through ball, and I was able to get my body in front of the defender and finish the opportunity. It almost doesn’t feel real. I think my initial thought before even celebrating was realizing that we as a whole can beat any team.”

For La Salle, sophomore Shea Crawford put the Explorers back on track on Tuesday when he scored in the second overtime period to upend Archbishop Ryan, 2-1.

“To be able to score such a thrilling goal in dramatic fashion against a very strong Archbishop Ryan squad felt amazing," Crawford said. "Playing for these moments are the reason why I love playing the sport of soccer. And any time there are three points on the table in the Catholic League, it is beyond crucial to get them, especially when looking to stay at one the top spots in the standings."

La Salle vs. Archbishop Ryan - PSD Photos by Zack Beavers

An eventful two games saw Father Judge remain undefeated. After edging Archbishop Ryan, 1-0, in overtime, the Crusaders came back from a 2-0 deficit Tuesday by scoring four straight goals in a 4-2 win at Roman Catholic.

Junior Mike Regan described his overtime game-winner against the team that defeated Judge in last year’s PCL final.

“I was able to score because of my teammate, Kevin Castro,” Regan said. “He made the goal happen. Dane Pizarro played a free kick into the box and as the ball was coming down, I could see that Kevin was tracking it. I knew he would win in the air. I have been playing soccer with Kevin for a long time and he plays the game with so much heart. I just anticipated where he would drop it in the box and was able to score.

“It was great to run over towards my family and some of my classmates to make everyone happy,” Regan continued. “Every time you score you get excited and celebrate with your team, but it was a little different scoring in overtime against Ryan. Both teams played so hard. I was just happy to get the winner for my teammates and coaches.”

Father Judge senior goalie Jim Shensky admitted that a win over Ryan means more than others.

Father Judge vs. Archbishop Ryan. (Photos by Donna Eckert for PSD)

Father Judge Jr. Reporter David Picariello captures Mike Regan's OT winner vs. Archbishop Ryan:

“It’s great being able to not only beat our rivals, but to also be able to beat my friends,” Shensky said. “Every time we play Ryan, it’s a dogfight. We pulled out for the ‘W’ this time. The energy at the field was awesome and it was almost like a playoff game.”

Against Roman Catholic, the Crusaders trailed 2-0 at halftime. But a penalty kick by Castro and a subsequent tally by senior Mousa Cherif tied the game. A corner kick setup by junior Gavin Dunlop set up senior Abou Cherif to give Judge a 3-2 lead. A breakaway goal by Abou Cherif closed the deal.

“Tremendous win over a good squad,” said Judge coach John Dunlop, whose undefeated Crusaders battle the PCL’s other undefeated squad, Archbishop Wood, on Friday. “That doesn’t happen all the time in this league."

Father Judge vs. Roman Catholic - PSD Gallery by Krystal Williams

Lansdale Catholic ended Play Day with a 3-0 win over Roman Catholic.

“I was incredibly proud of my guys on Saturday night,” Lansdale Catholic coach Casey Farrell said. “Most of them had their best individual game of the season so far, and that’s what it takes to beat a team like Roman Catholic. We knew it was critical to score first because chasing a team like that is often an exercise in futility. And if our battles with them over the last few seasons were any indication, they were never going to let up until the final whistle blew.”

Standout Crusaders included team captains Tommy Ellis, Gianluca D’Alterio, and Matt Schaefer, along with juniors Pat Cole, Nikhil Cyriac and Chase Anderson, and senior goalie Danny Shelak.

“This was easily our biggest win of the season so far,” Schaefer said. “It felt like everyone did their part and then some, from the senior leaders all the way down to the lone sophomore on the team. We now know what we are capable of when we play mistake free soccer. The juniors have all been stepping up for us a lot, so shout out to those guys.”

Lansdale Catholic vs. Roman Catholic. (Photos by Donna Eckert for PSD)

Unfortunately for the Crusaders, their next opponent – Archbishop Wood – proved to be too strong. Coming off a 2-0 Play Day win over St. Joseph’s Prep, the Vikings blanked Lansdale Catholic, 2-0.

Heavily involved in both wins was senior Logan Savage, who scored in both wins.

“Whenever the team scores first it’s always a big confidence booster,” said Savage, referring to Play Day. “Owen Gaylord played me a great ball, so I had to capitalize on the opportunity. I think it’s great knowing I can always have trust in my teammates when they have the ball to create important chances during our games.”

En route to their third straight shutout, the Vikings viewed Lansdale Catholic as a PCL contender.

“We were very aware of how good of a team they are,” Savage said. “They always bring it to us, and it’s always a battle.”

Archbishop Wood vs. St. Joseph's Prep. (Photos by Donna Eckert for PSD)

Archbishop Wood vs. Lansdale Catholic - PSD Gallery by Donna Eckert

Cardinal O’Hara notched its first win as the Lions overcame Archbishop Carroll, 2-1. Goals by Zydan Stewart and Alex Montesdeoca (assisted by Stewart) held up.

“The team really stepped up in important moments and fought hard to get their first PCL win,” Chris Rodzewich said. “This local rival is always fun to play, especially since it was the Catholic League Play Day. It was great to see both teams compete the full 80 minutes.”

At Devon Prep, Jamile Green coach celebrated his first victory.

In the Tide’s 8-0 win over Bonner-Prendergast, Josh Rick and Drew Yusko scored twice while Nick Walton, Connor Savage, Nico Del Prim, and Luke Hodlofski added one apiece.

“It was great,” Green said. “We were able to put together a good half in the first two games but not an entire game. In this game we controlled the game from start to finish and was able to move guys around and give minutes to players who saw limited minutes in other games.”

With senior Dom Pellegrino scoring both goals, Archbishop Carroll moved into the win column with a 2-1 win over Devon Prep on Tuesday.

“It was really important to the while team considering we lost a game or two we thought we had a good shot a winning going in,” senior Joe Gessig said.