skip navigation

BOYS’ SOCCER Round-Up: Strong Defense Proves Key to Success in Opening PCL Games

By John Knebels, 09/14/17, 7:30PM EDT

Share

Philadelphia Catholic League Boys’ Soccer:

   Looking for great defense? Might want to attend a Catholic League soccer game. Through the first two go-arounds, 11 games in all, every decision has been determined via a shutout.

   Soccer is a low-scoring game. But 11 blanks in 11 possibilities?

   “Really? Wow,” said La Salle senior goalie Brett Werner. “I haven't gotten around to looking at the standings, and don't plan to until later in the season, but I've never heard of something like that.

   “To me, it just proves what I originally thought coming into the season. Everyone is a competitor in the Catholic League. You can lose to any opponent if you don't show up ready to play. And honestly, it just shows how strong the teams are this year.”

   No team is stronger than La Salle.

   The Explorers defeated St. Joseph’s Prep, 1-0, when the league season opened for everyone last week and then dominated perennial toughie Archbishop Ryan, 5-0, on Tuesday afternoon.

   Junior Chris Metzler provided the only goal for La Salle against the Prep. Against Ryan, senior Jake Mittman and junior Cole Hammel both scored twice before senior Christian Calabretta finished the scoring. 

“Jake Mittman dribbled from around midfield to the 18 and passed to Christian Calabretta in the corner,” said Metzler, explaining his game winner versus the Prep. “Calabretta beat his man and played it across the box, and I was there to finish it with my foot. It was a great team play and an exciting way to start our league play.”

   Before anyone figures La Salle might get overconfident as the season progresses, think again.

   “Coach McCaff (Tom McCaffery) has always done a good job of keeping our heads on straight for us,” said Werner. “A win will only get you a good night’s sleep. You have to consistently play to that level. If you don't focus on the task ahead of you and get stuck in the past, the consequences could put your season in jeopardy. But I'm not too worried about that.”

   Werner was impressed with the Prep’s effort in the opener.

   “It was definitely the right way to start a season, especially against a longtime rival like Prep who has always given their best efforts when we played them,” said Werner. “We had 10 or so corner kicks and five throw-ins within their 18-yard line, but we just couldn't finish our chances. They played very well defensively, and their keeper came up big when they needed him to.”

***

Roman Catholic took the direct opposite approach in its two wins. The Cahillites overwhelmed Conwell-Egan, 7-0, and then edged Lansdale Catholic, 1-0.

   The latter triumph was scoreless before senior Jared Fielding deflated the Crusaders with a game winner off a deflection five minutes before the final horn.

   “The team was very happy and ecstatic,” said Fielding, “and we expected a hard battle up at Lansdale as it always is.”

After the victory over Conwell-Egan, Roman coach Ray DeStephanis was relieved.

   “It was a game that we needed to come out and win to be very honest about it,” he said. “We had a terrible effort in a non-league match against William Tennent. We really needed to show that we are a better team than that, especially opening up the PCL season against an always tough Conwell-Egan.”

***

Father Judge opened with a 2-0 win over Cardinal O’Hara before falling, 1-0, to Archbishop Wood.

   A team that lost 15 seniors and return only one starter, the Crusaders employ numerous underclassmen at key positions. The senior leader is undoubtedly Marcelo Ibarra, who has scored five goals in five games. 

Until the youth shake off its occasional tentativeness, Ibarra will remain Judge’s only viable scoring threat.

   “You can’t hide him out there,” said Judge coach John Dunlop. “He’s a marked man by all our opponents, and for good reason. He still produces. He’s a special player.”

   Ibarra, the Crusaders’ team captain, enjoys being in a leadership role. 

“We're trying to fill in the gaps as best as we can,” said Ibarra. “We're a young team, and that'll be a nuisance when we play the stronger teams later on. The team is taking the season game by game, trying to improve to become a stronger and more dangerous team, because we're lacking experience.

Cardinal O'Hara successfully defends a Judge corner - video by Sal Tommassello

“We're trying to build the team from the bottom up, and seeing what players best fit our system. As each game goes on the kids on the team are becoming more confident, and by the time the Roman, La Salle, and Ryan games come, we'll be ready.”

***

Bonner-Prendergast toppled Lansdale Catholic, 3-0, and then Conwell-Egan, 1-0, on Kaito Kitazawa’s clincher in a double-overtime thriller, cementing the work of senior goalie Tony Harper.

   “What has been leading our team so far is leadership from the upperclassmen and the returning players from last year,” said senior Matt Maselli. “Also, the depth from our goalkeeper all the way up through our offense allows us to play quickly and aggressively.”

   Senior Kevin Glatts agreed.

   “The key has really been working together as a team and having good communication and playing to each other’s strengths,” said Glatts.

***

Yet another squad off to a perfect start is Archbishop Wood, which upended Bishop McDevitt, 3-0, and then Father Judge, 1-0.

   Wood senior Jake Nubbs summarized the Vikings’ quick beginning.

   “As a team it’s all about working together and staying positive,” said Nubbs. “We have a talented group of guys who play hard and play for each other. Every game or practice we come to play. Nothing is given to anyone. We have great talent, and our energy is very high.”

***

Archbishop Ryan also started the season off strong defeating Archbishop Carroll 2-0.

The Raiders now sit tied in second with a 1-1 PCL record with St. Joe’s Prep and Father Judge.

   

Ryan scores off a penalty kick in 2-0 win vs. Carroll - video by Sal Tommassello