By: Josh Abrams
Newtown, PA - The second overtime period of an intense and scoreless game on a chilly Friday afternoon had just gotten underway. Both the visiting Germantown Friends School (GFS) and hosting George School were exhausted, and couldn’t possibly have much, if any, of their legs left under them after playing 90 minutes of soccer.
That’s when Da'Vid Robinson stepped up. The senior midfielder’s goal just over a minute into the second frame of OT gave the Tigers the ‘golden goal’ and secured them a road victory over a tough and hard-nosed Cougar bunch.
Running around, winding up & kicking for that long takes quite the physical toll on your body. And when you’re constantly getting scoring opportunities that aren’t falling, it can become just as easy to get into a mental funk. But none of that was on the mind of Robinson or his fellow Tiger teammates.
“You kind of just have to think about doing it for the team; putting everything out there and giving it 100% even though we’re all gassed and tired,” said junior midfielder Chenzi McLoyd. “(It’s nice) just thinking about how good it feels to win the game, no matter how you feel at the end.”
The mental taxing that comes with soccer, in addition to physical, cannot go unnoticed. There was an overwhelming number of scoring opportunities for both teams; 28 combined shots with GFS holding the slight edge, 16-12.
Da'Vid Robinson golden goal seals 2OT win for GFS (Video/Josh Abrams)
GFS junior Chenzi McLoyd Talks about GFS' 2OT win. (video/ Josh Abrams for PSD)
With only one of those shots falling, both goalies had to be more-than on their toes from start to finish; something that can be much easier said than done for someone like GFS’ freshman goalkeeper, Adrian Drussler.
Tigers head coach Sam McIlvain elaborated on his team’s shutdown effort of George School, thanks to his young netminder: “George School had some opportunities towards the end. I think our guys held pretty well and (Drussler) kept his composure which is huge for a ninth grader and so I was pleased to see us get the shutout.”
First half scoring opportunity for GFS (Video/Josh Abrams)
Shot off the post from Theo Capeilleres (#11)
Both teams began conference play with victories; George School a 2-1 win @ Friends Select and GFS a 12-0 routing of Jack M Barrack Hebrew Academy (Barrack, for short), who is making their debut in the Friends School League this season.
Second half GFS opportunity (Video/Josh Abrams)
GFS Free Kick 2H. (video/ Josh Abrams for PSD)
Postgame Interview with George School Head coach Glen Curry
George School head coach Glen Curry shared his thoughts on how a 1-0 finish such as this game could have such a high number of scoring chances.
“They (GFS) like to go up the middle, we kind of like to go down the wings,” he said. “So there’s actually space on the field (compared to being bunched up) and more opportunities for both teams.”
Like Drussler, George School senior goalkeeper Efram Krasovic recorded seven saves in the contest and was phenomenal throughout its entirety. And although a senior, the performance was just as impressive considering his background prior to the 2023 season.
“He’s an interesting story, because he was a field player his first three years here,” said Curry. “And so he has just changed to play goalie (mainly) because we needed one. You can see he’s really good with his feet, which is helpful for us. (Him being calm) is his normal demeanor.”
George School shot attempt - Drew Mirarchi (#8)
Early first half shot attempt from McLoyd
While satisfied with the result of this clash with a team who matched their energy and aggressiveness, McIlvain knows this team has not reached its ceiling, and that it has many ways to go to becoming the team it knows it can.
“We created chances (to score) but I thought we could’ve created more,” McIlvain said. “We’re still looking for that guy to take charge in the box. Who wants to score? I think we’re passing off that responsibility on other players. I was so excited to see Da’Vid (Robinson) take on those kids at the end and make it happen. Good things happen when you shoot, and it was a tough angle… but we have to commit more bodies into the box.”
It’s not necessarily a case of brutal honesty, but McIlvain did not hesitate to make it known what is required from his kids in order for the team to continue to succeed.
“Looking forward we just want to think about focusing on the next play,” said the GFS head coach. “You can’t change the past, but you can change the next play, so we’ve got to keep training that, both on the pitch and in our team meetings.”
GFS Head coach Sam McIlvain talks about taking advantage of those missed opportunities. (video/ Josh Abrams for PSD)
2OT Scoring opportunity for Haree Kumor (#25)
The win improves GFS’ record to 3-1-2 overall and 2-0 in FSL play. They will host Academy of the New Church on Tuesday (9/26) for their next contest. George School falls to 2-2 overall, 1-1 in league play, and takes on a mighty Shipley squad who currently stands atop the FSL.