By: Josh Abrams
(Photos: Lennie Malmgren for PSD)
Gladwyne, PA - Perhaps the most highly anticipated Friends School League (FSL) match took place on yet another overcast and slightly rainy Friday afternoon as the Shipley School Gators hosted a familiar foe in the Germantown Friends School Tigers on September 29th.
The rematch of last November’s FSL Championship was as exciting and intense as advertised. All three goals were scored in the first half and both teams had their fair share of opportunities to either tie the game or effectively put it away in the second half.
Shipley came away victorious over GFS by a score of 2-1. Senior and junior midfielders Noah Laakman and Chris Nascimento scored the decisive goals after GFS senior Dean Yao got the visitors on the board early.
Shipley's Chris Nascimento first half PK, save by GFS GK Adrian Drussler (Video/Josh Abrams)
The Gators put pressure on the Tigers early, as Nascimento was awarded a penalty kick early in the first half. His shot, however, bounced off the hands of GFS goalkeeper Adrian Drussler. It looked like the freshman was in even more trouble when Laakman came running in by himself to get the rebound, but his shot sailed over the net.
The scoreless tie would be broken just moments later. A free kick was awarded to the Tigers, and Yao’s right-footed kick sailed over Shipley goalkeeper Dylan Stoltz into the right corner of the net.
Shipley sophomore Seamus Lannon shot hits the post in the first half (Video/Josh Abrams)
A goal scored that early can give a team momentum going forward in the game. But senior defender and captain Xander Gillan and company knew what was at stake, and that the quality of the opponent wasn’t going to make things any easier.
“The past few games we’ve really controlled it (the pace) well,” Gillan said. “But this is the first game in a while where we really faced some adversity. They (GFS) have some tough kids on their team.”
Shipley knotted things at one goal apiece shortly after Yao’s goal, as Laakman put a forceful ground-shot past Drussler’s diving hands. The scoreboard showed 1-1 for almost 20 minutes after Laakman’s tally, and with how well GFS was fending off Shipley’s chances, it was looking like a deadlock going into halftime.
GFS senior Dean Yao nails beautiful free kick to put Tigers up 1-0 (Video/Josh Abrams)
Lannon shot attempt for Shipley first half (Video/Josh Abrams)
But with just a few minutes showing in the first half, Nascimento received a wonderfully-placed cross pass from sophomore teammate Mikey Brown and knocked home a line-drive shot into the back right corner of the net. The goal put Shipley ahead for good, as the 2-1 score held the rest of the way.
Noah Laakman gets Shipley on the board in first half, knots score at 1-1 (Video/Josh Abrams)
Nascimento goal (Mikey Brown assist) breaks tie w/ GFS, gives Shipley 2-1 lead (Video/Josh Abrams)
Second half corner kick for GFS (Video/Josh Abrams)
Shipley opportunity late second half (Video/Josh Abrams)
Nascimento elaborated on his knowledge and awareness of just how big a game and win this was for his team.
“This team (GFS) is very good,” said the junior captain. “Our coach (Thom Schauerman) told us both (Shipley and Germantown Friends) have been in the finals (against each other) many times. So it’s very much been a rivalry over the years.”
Postgame interviews with Shipley captains, senior Xander Gillan & junior Chris Nascimento
Shipley School vs. Germantown Friends. (Photo Gallery by Lennie Malmgren for PSD)
With the win, the Gators remain perfect in FSL play with a clean slate to go along with four wins. They will take on Moorestown Friends School at home on Tuesday. GFS drops their first league match of the season, falling to 3-1 in conference competition. Their tough slate of games continue when they play host to Westtown, another team who has yet to lose a contest in the FSL.