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Boys' Soccer: Episcopal Dominates Malvern in League Opener

By Jenna Meissner, 10/01/16, 4:30PM EDT

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NEWTON SQUARE, PA.- It was a battle of the blue and white this past Friday when Episcopal Academy hosted Malvern Prep for an Inter-Ac League opener game.

The men’s soccer teams competed under the lights on EA’s Smith Field with an additional opponent, the weather. The elements presented another challenge to an already difficult game with rain, wind, and cold temperatures.

Both teams undoubtedly showed up to play after falling short of championships last season. EA finished second in the Inter-Ac, while Malvern lost in the PAISAA championship final.

Malvern started the game with possession of the ball, but EA wasted no time in letting their rival know whose turf they were on. 

“They put us on our heels early and forced mistakes, which they capitalized on,” Malvern’s head coach Andrew Kummerer said.

An unexpected first goal happened within ten minutes of the game.

It was junior forward Spencer Higgins’s first game as a starter. Higgins stepped up after a teammate was injured in a prior game. The goal came naturally after an assist from senior midfielder Ramon Gallegos.

“Since it was my first start I really just wanted to go out there and work as hard as I can and give it as much effort as I could…it’s really exciting to have my first start, first goal of the game,” said Higgins.

EA's head coach David Knox post game interview

EA's Spencer Higgins talks about his first start & scoring his goal

He credits EA’s teamwork for setting the tone of his goal and the overall game, which ended with a 3-1 win for the Academy.

Composure, communication, and crowd are a few words that contributed greatly to EA’s success.

“It was an overall great team performance…for the boys to play in front of their fans under the lights on a Friday night, which we don’t get to do very often is a big treat for us and we certainly loved bringing it tonight,” head coach David Knox said.

Starting off the second half was sophomore midfielder Sam Wilson with two long-range goals in 20 minutes. Knox called Wilson a key player, but said they have been waiting for him to break out.

Malvern was not ready to give up that easily. Within the last fifteen minutes of the game there was a shift in action prompting EA’s defense to step up.

Intense play displayed by both teams

The Friars continually drove to the net for the final ten minutes of the game, and senior Billy Coyle scored a goal with two minutes left to play.

“With several first-year varsity players getting into their first Inter-Ac game I think we take away a valuable experience. I also think we learned how important it is to minimize the mistakes we make as well as capitalize on the ones our opponents make,” Kummerer said. 

A league opener win for coach Knox is just the beginning.

“We played some unbelievable stuff in the first half as did they [Malvern]…That’s one game in the Inter-Ac and we have nine more to go.”

Goals: 

Sam Wilson 2, Spencer Higgins (EA)

Billy Coyle (MP)

Saves: 

Jake Hodlofski 6 (MP)  

Matt Freese 2, A.J. Marcucci 4 (EA)