Round 6: North 2, Prep 1

With the world financial markets crashing around us, it was nice to spend a quiet afternoon watching quality high school soccer. Once again, North hosted a Red Division game at Archbishop Ryan. In my previous descriptions, I think you understand how great a field this is and on Friday it was even better because it was just cut! The weather was spectacular with a little bit of an Autumn bite in it. The 5 PM kick-off kept the crowd sparse but those there saw a pretty good game.

THE GAME

This was the first, regular season game between the schools. Since joining the PIAA, the PCL realign its soccer divisions by the size of the schools. Both Prep and North are in the Red Division (larger schools)of the soccer league.

Prep opened the scoring early (5th minute) on by capitalizing on a mistake in the defensive zone of the Falcons. Prep played a through ball into the back third and North's sweeper was unable to cleanly pass the ball to an outside midfielder. The Prep forward was able to win and control the tackle and attack goal. He was joined by the other forward to create a 2 on 1. The forward slid a pass to the on rushing forward who was able to knock it into the empty net as Keeper McCarthy was caught in no man's land trying to defend the attack. Clearly, the momentum was on the side of the Prep. They controlled the midfield for a good part of the first half but were unable to add to the score.

The second half began the same way the first one ended. Prep controlled much of the midfield space and North countered. Froward Kristian Hall did yeoman's work in running down diagonal balls and setting up the Falcon's offensive thrust. Through the first 55 minutes, he was able to create three shots and countless passes in the offensive zone. Coach Brindisi toyed with some of his parts to counter what the Prep was doing and to see if North could get the tying goal. He moved sweeper Pat Greer from sweeper to defensive midfield and inserted Sophomore Mike Zolk to sweep. Pat has a great ability to get forward and Mike Zolk is effective anywhere you put him. Half-way through the second half, a Prep defender was given his second "yellow" card (warning) for grabbing the shirt and taking down Mike Gredzik as he attacked the Prep goal. This was the 2nd "yellow" card for this player. Two "yellow" cards means you are disqualified from the match. This gave North an 11 player to 10 player edge in the game.

The man advantage gave North more room to operate and allowed Coach Brindisi to bring more offensive thrusts to try to equalize the score. About 22 minutes into the second half, Jr. Juan Pablo Martinez received a pass from Sr. Mike Gredzik right outside Prep's penalty area on the right hand side of the field. Juan Pablo ran on a diagonal with the ball and powdered a hard shot ticketed for the far left corner of the goal. A Prep defender turned to block the shot and it caromed into the net passed the sprawled Prep keeper. North 1, Prep 1.

With six minutes to go. North was awarded a free kick right beyond midfield. Sr. Carl Essenthier knocked a cross field ball on the foot of Mike Gredzlek. Mike took a touch, found Juan Pablo Martinez at the corner of the penalty area. Pablo caught Pat Greer running into the box and slipped a ball to him. Pat kept his run going and beat a defender and nailed a hard, low shot passed the Prep keeper who was glued to the short-side post. North 2, Prep 1.

The final six minutes were frenetic as Prep tried to tie the game. After several free kicks into the box and defensive clearing by North's backs, the game ended. Keeper McCarthy played well in defending the net for North. Mark Pugliese was exceptional in managing North's defensive third and shutting down a strong Prep midfield. North's record improves to 4 wins, 2 ties and 0 losses in the Division for second place.

FACES IN THE CROWD

Even with a smaller than usual crowd because of the early starting time, some familiar faces were spotted. SuperFan #1, Mr. Tim Murphy was spotted cheering his Falcons. Three soccer SuperFans were also in attendance: Messrs. Robinson, Dunlevy and Hooven. These gentlemen make almost all home North games, here is a shout out to them. Finally, Mr Harry Niemann was spotted for the first time this year. Harry is my wife's father. He is a proud grad of Olney High School but has been drawn into North with my involvement. In the past 5 years, Harry has seen almost every home game and is a good luck charm for the team. Through this period of time, North has only lost one game. Thanks Harry.

Next up, North closes out the first half versus O'Hara on Tuesday at O'Hara. Game time is 3:30 PM. On Friday night, September 26th, Roman hosts North at Lighthouse Field at 8 PM to begin the 2nd half of the season.