That’s right; North defended its City Title run with a 3-0 win over pesky George Washington last night at Charles Martin Field at Northeast High School. While the last City title game was 1979, when it ended North was back-to back-to back champions in 1977, 1978 and 1979 and now you can add 2008.
THE ACTION
The crowd was probably dimmed by the early start and I heard there was a parade in town, something to do with the Phillies. I can’t believe that the City and the Phillies would plan something that overlapped our game, but I digress…..
Twelve minutes into the game, the score was 2-0 in favor of North. This was our first experience this year playing on artificial turf. While we are a possession team and the carpet should allow for cleaner passes, the speed and the spin of the ball is different and it takeS some time to get a feel.
In the 5th minute, after gaining possession about 25 yards from goal, junior Juan Pablo Martinez took a low, hard shot stationed just outside the right post. The ball seemed to tick off a Washington defender about 10 yards from goal as the goalkeeper advanced to pick it up. Somehow, rather than cleanly picking up the ball, it stayed loose and freshman, Kristian Hall sprung like a cat and knocked the ball home.
Seven minutes later, holding possession just outside the penalty area, Martinez played a one-two ball to senior, Carl Essenthier. Martinez exploded into the box and was tripped by a Washington defender. The referee wasted no time in awarding North a penalty kick. Senior, Mike Gridzek powered a shot past the Washington keeper to make the score 2-0. Most of the play and shots was Norths', but these shots went wide or over the goal rather than in it.
Washington played a pesky brand of soccer. Certainly not the most disciplined team but they attacked the ball and played solid defense. North was never really threatened but the Eagles never seemed to lose focus. In the 72nd minute, senior Nick Stangler gained control of a ball from a free kick taken by sophomore, Mike Zolk just inside of midfield. Nick collected the ball about 16 yards from goal right of the right post and powered a low shot into the far corner to make the final score 3-0.
After the game, North was awarded the City Championship Plaque and the team took a victory lap to share it with its fans. It is fitting that North Catholic; the most pre-eminent soccer team in Catholic League history has the honor to represent the PCL in this millennium’s inaugural City Title game. Way to go Falcons!
OBSERVATIONS……….
• The turf is fast but the ball travels quickly and with certain spin depending on the kick;
• In his press conference the Washington coach is quoted as saying “we had them scared in the second half.” Let me elaborate for his benefit, he must have been caught up in the moment, the only thing that we were "scared of" was the safety of our boys. Maybe he couldn’t remember the score at the time 2-0, soon to be 3-0;
• The nets had holes in them, maybe it was from Wood’s game before ours where they scored 10 goals against Franklin Towne Charter;
• PCL teams defeated all the Public League teams by a combined score of 16-2;
• The officiating was, well just say, it was officiated;
• All season, North was assessed two yellow cards, somehow we received 2 last night and it was from the same official;
• The new balls used. PIAA mandates the use of Select brand balls while the PCL uses Brine balls. The difference, well for one, price. The Select balls are less expensive than the Brine’s;
• The circle of love for the coin toss; and
• Lack of fan support for the Washington team.
LOOKING AHEAD:
With the victory, North moves on to the next round in the PIAA (State) playoff system. The City champion will face off against the runner-up in District One (which is really the suburbs that border the City from the south, west and north) which will be decided on Saturday night (11/1) between Downingtown West and Neshaminy.
The game is scheduled for Tuesday night at Charles Martin Field @ Northeast High School with the time to be determined.
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