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BOYS’ SOCCER: Come Behind Victories & Another Batch of Shutouts Make Up This Week’s PCL Round-Up

By John Knebels, 09/22/17, 1:00PM EDT

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PHILADELPHIA CATHOLIC LEAGUE:

   Father Judge’s soccer team approached certain defeat on Tuesday afternoon. The visiting Crusaders trailed Archbishop Carroll, 2-0, late in the first half, and their offense was nowhere in sight.

   Enter Marcelo Ibarra.

   Cliché as it might be, Ibarra carried his teammates on his broad shoulders. He scored three consecutive goals, the decisive tally with 15 seconds left in regulation, to lift the Crusaders to a stunning 3-2 victory.

“This was a huge confidence boost for me and for the team, especially leading up to the big games against Roman and La Salle,” said Ibarra. “The team is growing up and we're coming together as one strong team who is ready to take it all on.”

   With the Patriots leading, 2-0, Ibarra scored on a breakaway with 15 minutes left in the first half and then tied the game in the second half on the rebound of a saved penalty kick. 


Father Judge's Marcelo Ibarra #11 - PSD Photo by Sal Tommassello

About 30 seconds of added time resulted in a Judge throw-in. Senior Sean Van Dewater executed the heave perfectly, and Ibarra headed the game winner into the back of the net.

   “It was a great feeling running to my bench and cheering with my whole team,” said Ibarra.

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After two straight league losses, Bishop McDevitt needed a spark. The Lancers received one in the form of a 1-0 triumph over Lansdale Catholic.

  “We turned in a complete team performance with our guys doing everything they could to win every 50-50 ball, something I've been stressing all season,” said McDevitt coach Allen Heintz, “This is the first time this season where I think we won the majority of them.”

   Senior Dan Fiorella scored the lone goal off a feed from junior Matt Duddy. Senior goalie Shane Harter and the defense did the rest.

   “Shane played very well in net,” said Heintz of Harter’s first shutout. “The back four played a great game as well keeping the LC attack at bay. All five of them really put in one of the most complete defensive efforts I have coached.”

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Archbishop Ryan toppled Conwell-Egan, 3-0, on goals by seniors Will Stackhouse, Georg Montag, and Will Griffin. The goaltender duo of senior Adam Young and junior Bryce Fadako orchestrated the shutout.

   Raiders coach Ryan Haney said his team “played good defense and created plenty of opportunities and finished three of them.”

   Stackhouse agreed. 


Archbishop Ryan's Will Stackhouse #14 - PSD Photo by Sal Tommassello

“It was a good away win and we hope to keep on winning and shock some people in the Catholic League,” said Stackhouse. “We need to keep up our intensity as a team and work hard for what we want. We want that (championship) plaque.”

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 Roman Catholic remained perfect at 4-0 by dispatching Cardinal O’Hara, 3-0. 

“This was a team effort,” said Roman junior Jared Dillon, who had scored the Cahillites’ only goal in last week’s 1-0 win over St. Joseph’s Prep. “We played hard.”

    Junior Kieran Boyle, junior Eric Williams, and senior Joe Tarducci supplied the offense. Among others, junior Mark Iannacone contributed a solid all-around game. 


Roman Catholic's Jared Dillon #27 - PSD Photo by Kevin Murphy

“Anytime you can come away with three points playing on the road, you obviously take it,” said Roman coach Ray DeStephanis. “I think we are capable of showing much more as a cohesive unit though. With that said, we do have a couple of guys who have stepped up and are not only deserving of playing time, but are really starting to lead by example.”  

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The Catholic League’s other 4-0 squad is La Salle. The Explorers’ 1-0 victory over Archbishop Wood wasn’t particularly memorable, but it kept them undefeated.

   “We came out slow to start,” said senior Chris Metzler. “I think it is always a concern being up one against a good team like Wood, but (senior goalie) Brett Werner, (senior Bobby) Bohner, and the rest of the defense did a great job limiting Wood’s chances and made great plays.”

   Senior Jacob Mittman downplayed his fifth goal of the season, which was assisted by Bohner and occurred at the 30-minute mark of the first half.

   “It was not the prettiest of goals, but it was one that consisted of hard work and desire,” said Mittman. “It was not the best game we played all year, but we worked hard for all 80 minutes and got the job done.”


La Salle's Jacob Mittman #8 awaits a corner in game vs. SJP on Sept. 7 - PSD photo by Bryan Kelly

Werner said nail-biters provide intangible benefits. 

   “Playing in close game always gives us confidence boosts,” said Werner. “It makes you feel like you can play with anyone at any time, which is definitely uplifting. And whether you win or lose the matchup, there's always something to take away from it.”

 

 (John Knebels can be reached at Jknebels@gmail.com or on Twitter @johnknebels.)

Catholic League Standings (through September 21): La Salle 4-0; Roman Catholic, 4-0; Archbishop Wood 3-1; Archbishop Ryan 3-1; Father Judge 3-1; Bonner-Prendergast 2-1-1; St. Joseph’s Prep, 1-2-1; Bishop McDevitt 1-2; Lansdale Catholic 1-3; Cardinal O’Hara 0-3; Archbishop Carroll 0-4; Conwell-Egan 0-4.