To Jerry Blaney, Sammy Lee and Joe Bradley of Lighthouse Soccer Club for allowing North to host its quarterfinal contest versus Ryan, thanks guys, you have always been there for us. To Mr. Ron Tompkins, a soccer guy through and through, who has taped our games for the past decade. Ron's work has been an invaluable resource in our program's success. To the mothers of all the boys, especially our seniors as they conclude their high school career.
The Buildup
The two most successful programs in PCL history were to meet again in the PCL Red Division playoffs. This is the first year of the Catholic League's entrance into the PIAA. Unlike other sports, soccer will have only one champion. The Red Division seeds six teams (1,2,3,6,7 &8) and the Blue Division two (4&5). North and Ryan met twice this year during the regular season. In the first match, North defeated the Raiders 3-0 while in the second game, they battled to a 0-0 draw. In some circles, the North/Ryan soccer rivalry is the same as North/Frankford football. You can throw the record books away because each team will battle to the final whistle blows. If you remember last year, it was Ryan who knocked off a depleted North squad in the semi-finals. North is currently ranked 7th in the Southeastern Pennsylvania's Coaches Poll and 6th in the Philadelphia Inquirer's rankings.
The Game
By all accounts, it was standing room only (of mostly North fans)for this former Northern division clash of rivals. Parking was hard to come by and the snack stand was five lines deep for most of the night.
North played well from the tap seeming to keep the momentum it had from the end of the regular season plus the teams’ confidence against the Raiders from the regular season. North plays an attacking style of soccer, looking to push the ball up the field offensively and to deny the ball defensively. This strategy worked to perfection this night. About twenty minutes into the game, North opened the scoring. From a corner kick, senior Mike Gredzik netted the first and winning goal on a ball served by senior, Jim Griffen (The Griffenator, as he likes to call himself). Gredzlik easily beat the Ryan keeper. The score remained 1-0 into the half but North had several opportunities that it could not capitalize.
One of the keys in North’s attack is defending the other teams’ transition. Senior’s Mark Pugliese and Pat Greer patrolled the midfield and seem to deny almost all of Ryan’s attack. Defenders Tyler Ward (junior) and sweeper, Mike Zolk (sophomore), along with Jim Griffen was mostly flawless in keeping Ryan off the board. Junior keeper, John McCarthy was steady in the nets as usual.
The second half started as the first half ended, North continually applied pressure in Ryan’s defensive zone. About the fifteen-minute mark, senior, Carl Essenthier won possession from a Ryan defender about twenty-five yards from goal, just inside the left flank. Pushing toward the goal, he spotted an overlapping Jim Griffen who drove a low hard ball into the goalmouth and onto the feet of Gredzik to increase North’s lead to 2-0. About ten minutes later, junior Ira Woodruff, from about the spot that Griffen served the second goal, drove a blistering cross onto the head of freshman Kristian Hall to conclude the scoring. With the game in hand, North substituted freely. McCarthy earned another clean sheet for the shutout.
Cub Reporters findings....
Professionally they are known as stringers and they get paid, my sources are just news hounds with love for the dramatic with only hopes to get paid. They remain nameless to protect their identity but they are everywhere.
Games like this bring out true North supporters and in numbers. Hall of Famers Pete Hess and Ed Blaney were spotted in attendance. Mr. Hess was chaperoned by his son Joe. North greats Joe Steffa and Russ Bono were seen at the field, but not together. SuperFans Tim Murphy and Ed White brought their customary good luck to the game. Harry Niemann and his grandson Cailean (yes, some self-promotion) were there to root the Falcons on travelling from Bucks County into the City. Former North players Jimmy Kane and Bugsy Wurtenburg were in attendance along with Vince Market and John Kane.
Did You Notice....
- North was awarded a penalty kick in the first half, its first of the season which was missed;
- There were three referees instead of the customary two;
- How the field was thankfully shielded from the winds; and
- How neighborhood rivals can play a competitive game at a high level and still be respectful to one another.
Next Up: Semi-Finals Vs. Wood on Saturday at Ryan at 2 PM.
Please visit our website for more information on North soccer: www.northcatholicsoccer.com
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