BOYS SOCCER: Tight Standings in PCL Make Every Point That Much More Important

Photos/Videos: Zack Beavers, Donna Eckert, Lennie Malmgren, Ryan Nix & James Quinn

BY JOHN KNEBELS

PHILADELPHIA – They call it a gut check.

It would require significant research to determine the last time perennial juggernaut Roman Catholic began the Philadelphia Catholic League portion of its soccer season with a 1-2-1 record, yet that’s where the Cahillites found themselves after four games.

So, a recent two-game winning streak provided welcomed relief to a Roman team that visits PCL defending champion Archbishop Ryan tomorrow afternoon. Following a 3-0 win over visiting Cardinal O’Hara behind sophomore Chris Swanson’s two goals and assist on senior night last Friday, the Cahillites edged host Archbishop Wood, 1-0, four days later.

“We put it out there to our guys that we needed a solid match out of everyone if we were going to turn this thing around,” Roman coach Ray DeStephanis said. “Back to front, start to finish.”

With sophomores Hector Ortiz and Fran Russo shining at goalie and midfield, respectively, it was senior Pete Crespo’s header – perfectly assisted by Russo – early in the second half that held up and lifted the Cahillites to a 3-2-1 record.

“When the ball was in the air, I felt more confident than ever,” Crespo said. “Being the one to score the game-winning goal was exciting. I was thrilled to help my fellow teammates out.”

Crespo acknowledged that the first two weeks of PCL competition did not go the way he and his teammates had expected, but he remains confident that the Cahillites will succeed over the second half.

“This season has been a roller coaster of emotions, with the loss to Lansdale (3-0 on September 16) all the way to the win against Wood,” Crespo said. “We had a rough beginning starting off the first game of the season with a (1-1) tie to Saint Joe’s Prep, but I can say that the team we were in the beginning and who we are now are a whole new team. We are coming together overall as a group finding and knowing what we all are capable of.”

Senior Pete Crespo's goal in Roman Catholic's 1-0 win vs. Wood - PSD Video by Donna Eckert

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

Roman’s win created quite a logjam in the PCL standings. After undefeated Father Judge (6-0), a staggering four teams (Archbishop Wood, La Salle, Archbishop Ryan, and Conwell-Egan) are tied with 4-2 records. Roman and Lansdale are both 3-2-1.

In eighth place at 2-3-1 is St. Joseph’s Prep. The Hawks, however, needed a miraculous resuscitation to avoid falling further in the standings.

Trailing Devon Prep, 5-2, at halftime on Tuesday, the Hawks appeared headed toward certain defeat. Needing an immediate jolt, sophomore Ryan Griffith provided precisely that only two minutes into the second half. When senior Ron Wurster scored 18 minutes later, the Hawks had seized momentum. With about seven minutes left in regulation, Griffith tied the game. In the second overtime, senior captain Joe Sheridan ended the incredible comeback with the game winner.

“It certainly would have been easy to give up, to quit,” Prep coach Joe Coyle said. “But that would have sent a message about the remaining two, three weeks of the season. It would have said we are done. Instead, we changed the formation and some of the personnel at half, and we ended up sending a very different message for the remainder of the season. We are here, we won’t quit, and we will fight until the end. We definitely needed that ‘W.’ It was a memorable game to say the least.”

Sheridan deflected the individual plaudits.

“As a team, we knew that we had to step it up,” Sheridan said. “Once we finally figured out how to get the offense going on their small field, momentum and goals started to build up. To score the game winning goal, it felt great. But honestly, it was a team effort. Teammate Timmy Comey made a great hustle play stealing the ball and crossing it for me to tap it in.”

SJP sophomore Ryan Griffith #10 - PSD Photo by Zack Beavers

SJP senior captain Joe Sheridan #23 - PSD Photo by Donna Eckert

Though disappointed with the blown lead against the Prep, Devon Prep coach Jamile Green was pleased with Friday’s 1-1 tie at Lansdale Catholic. Devon Prep, Lansdale Catholic, Conwell-Egan, and Archbishop Carroll comprise the PCL District 2 representatives.

“The result was important for us in a couple of ways,” Green said. “We want to establish ourselves as a player in the PCL, but also as a contender for our district championship.”

At 6-0, Father Judge has established itself as the clear PCL favorite. Each victory came against opponents that would make the playoffs if the season ended today.

The Crusaders were downright stellar in their two latest wins – 3-1 over visiting Archbishop Wood and 2-0 at La Salle.

In the win over Wood, senior Abou Cherif, senior Moussa Cherif, and junior Kevin Purcell (first-ever high school goal) supplied the offense (including two assists each by senior Dane Pizzaro and junior Mike Regan).

Against La Salle, senior goalie Aiden Kelley authored the shutout.

One of Father Judge's Goals in 3-1 victory vs. Wood - PSD Video by Zack Beavers

Although the Crusaders had already served championship-contender notice, beating Wood and La Salle back-to-back solidified their standing as the usually debatable "team to beat." The win over Wood ended the Vikings' four-game winning streak, and the shutout victory at La Salle on goals by Abou Cherif and Regan put the Crusaders on the precipice of an undefeated regular season barring a tremendous upset over their final five regular-season contests.

“Every game is a playoff game for points and head-to-head to set your playoff run,” Judge coach John Dunlop said. “This league is a grind all the time.”

Father Judge vs. La Salle - PSD Gallery by Ryan Nix

Father Judge vs. Archbishop Wood - PSD Gallery by Zack Beavers

In a make-up game on Monday, Cardinal O'Hara upended Bonner-Prendergast, 3-1. It marked the first time in three years that the Lions had captured more than one PCL victory.

The Lions might have won by more had it not been for B-P junior goalie Tylin Tucker, who made a series of strong saves to keep the Friars within fighting distance of a comeback that ultimately never materialized.

Having been around him all season, however, Bonner-Prendergast coach Vince Biche offered little surprise while assessing Tucker's performance.

"Nothing particular stood out to me," Biche said. "He usually plays really well and makes numerous great saves. He's a really good goalkeeper."

Cardinal O' Hara vs. Bonner & Prendergast. (video/ Lennie Malmgren for PSD)

Cardinal O' Hara vs. Bonner & Prendie. (Photos by Lennie Malmgren for PSD)

Conwell-Egan raised its record to 4-2 with two shutouts – 3-0 at St. Joseph’s Prep on goals by sophomore Juan Correa, senior Tyler Schmitt, and junior Dylan Kopenits, and 2-0 over Archbishop Carroll.

“The boys are playing well,” C-E coach Mike Rigney said. “Total team effort. Our midfield (particularly junior Liam Mullen and senior Aidan Baugher) has played extremely well. Defensively, we have limited scoring opportunities for our opponents.”

Archbishop Ryan engineered two shutouts, defeating Archbishop Carroll, 4-0, and Bonner &. Prendergast, 6-0.

“Lots of great contributions over all and another clean sheet for (goalie) Nas Clark and the defensive unit,” said Raiders coach Ryan Haney.

Lansdale Catholic defeated Cardinal O’Hara, 4-0.
“It was a great way for our team to get back on track, especially before our big game against La Salle tomorrow,” LC goalie Danny Shelak said.

Archbishop Ryan vs. Archbishop Carroll. (Photos by James Quinn for PSD)

(Contact John Knebels at jknebels@gmail.com or on Twitter @johnknebels.)