Round 13: North Edges Prep, 1-0

AT STAKE:

North and the Prep were tied in points as the regular season comes to an end. At the conclusion of the match, each team will have one regular season game remaining. The winner would take sole possession of 2nd place in the PCL Red Division and have home field advantage in the chance of meeting in the playoffs.

THE GAME:

There is an old saying that goes “sometimes, it is better to be lucky than good” and arguably this game could be proof of that statement. It was a home game for the Prep. Many of you might be surprised to know where the Prep plays its home games for soccer. Unlike its football team that travels to Plymouth-Whitemarsh to take on nationally ranked programs, or its basketball team that plays in a relatively brand new field house. The soccer team hosts games at Fairmount Park’s Dairy Fields right off of Kelly Drive, near Boat House Row, a City recreational park but I digress.

The playing conditions are below average, its dimensions are inadequate and its site lines poor. It would be akin to North playing its home games at Torresdale & Devereaux but we don’t. These types of fields have a direct impact on the style of play, the flow and how appealing it looks to the fans.

Coupled with the fact that North was down a few players with illness, the game took on a defensive tone from the start and remained that way for most of the day. The length of the field is short by soccer standards; therefore the ball was mainly being knocked between the 18 yard lines. Goal kicks by either goaltender were reaching the other’s 18 yard line. The Prep had most of the advantage throughout the day. It had more opportunities and more shots. What North had this day and most days is a “hot” keeper and an ability to score goals.

While only having two good opportunities all day, sometimes you need just one. With 5minutes remaining in the game, junior defender, Tyler Ward won possession of the ball at the midfield line. Without hesitating, he lofted a diagonal ball into the penalty area where senior midfielder, Mike Gredzik was able to volley the ball off a bounce into the lower corner of the net for the only, and winning goal. Throughout the game, junior goalkeeper, John McCarthy was called upon to make save upon save, some easy, many very difficult. By all counts, John made about 12 total saves. Many of these were acrobatic to say the least and a few in the dying minutes saved the game for North.

GAME ENVIRONMENT- Nasty and Dangerous

One of the great things about playing schools like the Prep, are the fans who come out to root for their school. None of us would argue that the Prep fans are passionate, boisterous and emotional and no one would ever accuse North fans from backing down and we are guilty at times at pushing behavior to the limit but what happened on Tuesday, perpetrated by Prep students was a disgrace. Ingenious with their preparation, The Prep student body knew names and numbers of North players. Insults after insult were hurled at our players that were vile, racist and just mean spirited. There was no regard or respect to any player or fan and in some instances it became dangerous atmosphere to be a North fan. There was no authority figure or security to reign in this behavior. It was so bad, that when the final whistle blew, Head Coach Jerry Brindisi took the team to the sidelines to protect our fans before the customary shaking of hands.

PCL soccer is regarded in many circles as the most competitive soccer around but this game was an embarrassment to the League and damages the reputation that we strive to maintain. I have to remind people that the C in PCL stands for CATHOLIC and our actions on and off the field should represent these standards both as fans, student athletes and coaches. Sometimes, we need to take a deep breathe and remember that.

Next game: Final Game of Regular Season vs. O’Hara @ Ryan on Friday, 10/17 @ 5PM.