Can you say "WOW!?" Once again, the little school that could achieves another crowning moment by capturing the 2008 Philadelphia Catholic League title by defeating LaSalle in sudden death by the score of 1-0. Think about this for a moment. In the span of only 6 months, North has captured three PCL titles: Basketball, Wrestling and now Soccer. I cannot think of any other Archdiocesan High School that has accomplished this feat with so little students and arguably, so little resources. As special shout out goes to Athletic Director, Tom Kaiser because it has been Tom that has gone to battle and bat for the athletic programs. Tom understands that this winning tradition is the most effective form of marketing North. Our success is directly correlated to the school's success.
AT STAKE
North was the second seed in the PCL Red Division this year, while LaSalle was the sixth seed. North defeated Ryan and Wood by the scores of 3-0 and 3-1. LaSalle upset the number three seed, St. Joe's Prep in a penalty kick shoot-out, 4-3 and then knocked off defending league champ, Judge by the score of 1-0. Not only that, LaSalle has been the darling of the press with its Cinderella story. In regular season action, North beat LaSalle by identical scores of 2-1. As the old saying goes, it's hard to beat a team three times in one season. Add to that the fact that North has never beaten LaSalle in a championship match. North came into the game ranked fourth in the area in the SE PA Coaches Poll, fifth in the Philadelphia Inquirer's ranking and thirteenth in the NSCAA/Adidas Poll in the New Jersey/PA region.
THE ACTION
Pictures tell 1,000 words as the saying goes and last night and the site of the Falcon soccer team taking a lap for its fans pretty much said it all. At a packed Archbishop Ryan High School, North defeated LaSalle by the score of 1-0 to earn its league leading 22nd Catholic League championship.
The goal climaxed a great season and a very entertaining, if not tense, game. After a scoreless regulation, senior Carl Essenthier found the net off a free kick just outside the penalty box with only one minute gone. Early in the second half, Essenthier hit the cross bar that could have put North ahead but his shot was a preview of things to come in that half.
There was chill in the air and a pretty strong breeze to start the game. North, as has it been its pattern all year, came out fast. The first ten minutes of the game was dominated by North possession in its offensive zone. Freshman, Kristian Hall nailed a hard shot in the fifth minute over the cage. After ten minutes, the game started to settle down, and LaSalle seemed to get energized. About the twelfth minute, a LaSalle forward was able to break free about 25 yards from goal. Junior and All Catholic keeper, John McCarthy sprung like a cat and dove at the ball about 15 yards from goal. McCarthy was able to stop the shot with his foot and North was able to clear the ball. The rest of the half was equally shared between the teams but North was clearly ahead in shots on goal.
At halftime, Coach Brindisi reminded the boys that for many of them, this could be their last high school game and he challenged them to not let this happen. North came out on fire in the second half. After Essenthier hit the cross bar 30 seconds in, North began to dominate possession and forced the Explorers to defend and clear, trying to isolate one of its forwards against the defensive backs. As has been the story all year, the play of juniors Tyler Ward, senior Jim Griffen, Mark Pugliese (All-Catholic), Pat Greer (All-Catholic) and sophomore Mike Zolk (All-Catholic) was stellar. Between them, they allowed LaSalle only 3 recorded shots which McCarthy handled. North pressed to win the game in regulation but LaSalle was able to get behind the ball and defend with a purpose.
In PIAA overtimes, there are two, 15 minute sudden death (victory) periods and if tied, the game goes to penalty kicks. North did not want any part of this. From the start, North again commanded the action. From the midfield, a ball was lofted to Hall about 22 yards from goal in the center of the field. The LaSalle defender challenged the play and fouled Hall. Essenthier place a bending ball over the wall that was dipping towards the lower left hand corner. The LaSalle keeper was able to dive and get his hands on the shot, but his momentum took him to the ground where the ball came loose and bounced upward. In an attempt to grab the ball while on the ground, he hit the ball toward and into the goal. The ball barely made it over the line but crossed it nevertheless.
DID YOU NOTICE........
- Once again, a standing room only crowd, some estimate close to 1,000 fans.
- Speaking of the crowd, what was the story on the cow bells and the LaSalle fans, did they think we were in Tampa?
- How great the field conditions were after the down pours of Saturday and Sunday.
- How the North student fans were able to get under the skin of the LaSalle players.
- That certain coaches where the same outfit, can you say superstitious.
- How great was it to witness the sheer joy of winning and how its affect on people.
- Could you hear the national anthem, if you couldn't she did a fantastic job.
DID YOU KNOW??????
- The last City Championship Game was in 1979 before the debacle of Title IX.
- The last City Soccer Championship was between North and George Washington.
- That North won in 1979 by the score of 1-0 and also won in 1978 by the same score.
- Since Coach Brindisi's tenure (1998), North has played in 5 PCL Title games, winning 4. If this was baseball, he would be in the Hall of Fame.
DID YOU SEE??????
E V E R Y B O D Y ! ! ! !
This win was for you, thanks for all your support.
NEXT UP: CITY TITLE GAME
WHEN: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31
WHERE: NORTHEAST HIGH SCHOOL
FOE: GEORGE WASHINGTON HIGH SCHOOL
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