FORT WASHINGTON, PA – The cold and rainy weather seemed to have no effect on Springside Chestnut Hill Friday afternoon, as the Blue Devils cruised to their first league victory against host, Germantown Academy.
SCH celebrates after Dane Harmaty's goal - PSD Photo
SCH’s underclassmen came out on fire with freshman, Dane Harmaty, and sophomore, Luke Greenberg, scoring two back to back goals at the 31st and 30th minute marks to put their team up 2-0 in the first half. About five minutes later, Harmaty scored his second goal of contest giving the Blue Devils a 3-0 lead with 25 minutes remaining until halftime.
The Patriot’s came into second the half looking strong, running down the ball and battling with SCH’s defenders. With a little over 20 minutes left in the game, SCH’s goalie, Owen Elliot, slid trying to make a save, which lead to an open net goal from GA senior, Zander Foglia. Foglia’s goal would be the last from either team, leading to a final score: SCH 3, GA 1.
“The first half, Chestnut Hill just out muscled us, out played us, out fought us. They had more heart in the first half. In the second half I think we matched their heart for sure, and we got a goal,” said GA’s head coach, Brendan Sullivan. “Going forward my players need to not always think that someone else is going to get the job done, and that ‘I’m the one that’s going to step up’ and do it.”
SCH freshman, Dane Harmaty, scores his second goal of the afternoon
SCH senior captain Malcolm Glendinning, talks about the importance of their first league win
Blue Devils head coach, Brian Zalasky, stated that his teams’ difficult non-league schedule is what helped prepare them for their intense first league match-up.
“We’ve played some Mid-Atlantic prep schools like Lawrenceville, the Hun School and a couple big public schools like Strath Haven and a few of the Catholic League schools, who are always tough and physical,” said Zalasky, who is in his first year at the helm of SCH soccer. “I feel like those types of games really prepare us for the Inter-Ac because of how physical it is and the quickness of play. I think we really displayed, especially in the first half, that we were ready for the fight and we were ready to take our chances.”
Zalasky also attributed his teams’ success so far this season to his trio of seniors (Malcolm Glendinning, Jack Lamb and Andy Stackhouse) who display their visible leadership on and off the field.
“I think some of their attributes that make them perfect leaders for our team is that they are selfless, they will do whatever we ask of them to do for the team. That attitude - the willingness to work for one another - has really carried thru our team for the past 8 games or so. And I feel like that attitude has really been positive for us,” said Zalasky.
GA senior, Miles Love, talks about his team goals for the season
Miles Love discusses GA’s upcoming game vs. Malvern Prep
Despite their first league loss, coach Sullivan explained that his team is heading in the right direction, with the help of his own captains.
“They were coming off a pretty bad season last year. I think we only had five wins all year, so we are ahead of that right now and we are hoping to build upon that,” said Sullivan, who is also in his first year coaching at GA.
“My three captains, one is our goalie, Jackson Sternberg, has really had a solid season so far. He’s a really good kid and a tough kid. Frank Koons is our utility man, he plays every position, midfield, forward, defense and he’s a really hard worker. He mostly plays right-back for us but he’s really our captain. He’s the guy that I call everyday to organize the other guys. Mike Roman is our center midfielder, he’s a junior, but he was the guy winning all the head balls in the second half. He stepped up and really put his mark on the game,” added Sullivan.
GA vs. SCHA (34 Photos)
Sullivan, who previously coached as an assistant for seven years at St. Joe’s Prep, explained that the athletes that comprise his squad are multi-sport-talented. Senior, Zander Foglia, who scored his teams’ sole goal of the afternoon, shines as a lacrosse player during the spring season.
“That was his (Foglia’s) second goal this season, he scored in our win against the Hill School. He’s a lacrosse player mostly, but he’s really stepped in for us and has done a great job helping us fight for loose balls up top, he’s a big strong kid. He is someone we look to utilize more,” said Sullivan.
Looking ahead: SCH will host the Haverford School this Tuesday at 4PM. GA will also host Malvern Prep on Tuesday at 4PM.