North - LaSalle Settle for Scoreless Draw

Here is how a real reporter sees PCL soccer from today's Inquirer

Catholic League Boys’ Soccer - May Be Region’s Best
By Matt Gelb

INQUIRER STAFF WRITER

An incredible save on a point-blank shot with time about to expire in overtime, three posts hit by laser shots and trash talking with some pushing and shoving after the final whistle.

And this is just the beginning of the Catholic League race.

"I think it's going to be tighter than ever," North Catholic keeper John McCarthy said. "Like, one point, two points, three points between first, second and third place. It's a real good league this year."

La Salle and North Catholic played to a thrilling 0-0 tie on George Todt Field at Archbishop Ryan Tuesday night, the opening salvo between these squads so very familiar with one another.





It's just another story to add to the intrigue of what should be another close race in the Red Division of the Catholic League. With some perennial area powers down this season and few clear dominant teams, the Catholic League looks like it possesses some of the area's best soccer - especially at North Catholic, La Salle and Father Judge.

Both La Salle (4-1-1) and North Catholic (4-1-1) will take the crucial point from the tie, especially North Catholic, which was outplayed for the majority of the game.

Father Judge remains undefeated with a 6-0-1 record. They beat La Salle last week, 2-1, and coach John Dunlop said he is impressed with his team's play so far. Emmanuel Kollie is averaging a goal a game, and Dunlop said he has been able to use his bench effectively.

"It's been interesting so far," Dunlop said.

Tuesday night, McCarthy once again bailed out North Catholic.

With time winding down in the second overtime period, La Salle's Darius Madison broke free from the North Catholic defense and had a clear shot on McCarthy. The goalie challenged Madison and made a spectacular diving save to his right.

"That's a game-winner right there," La Salle coach Bob Peffle said. "You're on fumes in overtime. That's a game-winner. And as a forward you look back and yeah, you're going to be upset because you should put that away."

Just minutes later, as the teams started walking toward one another to shake hands, Madison was yelling at some North Catholic players, and there was some shoving before the referees and other players intervened.

The teams were separated and then lined up to shake hands with the officials closely watching.

Later, after he addressed his team, Peffle held back Madison, a sophomore, and talked privately with him for five minutes.

"That shouldn't happen," Peffle said. "He's just got to be quiet. Things were said that shouldn't be said. He's got a ways to go on a lot of things."

McCarthy was one of the players who rushed in to break up the scuffle, yelling at his own teammates for losing their composure. He described it as "a little smacking and pushing."

"I just have to keep my team under control," McCarthy said. "I'm the leader on this team, so I should be able to keep my team the way they're supposed to be. We shouldn't be down to someone else's level."

The entire match was spirited as both teams met for the first time since last season's Catholic League championship game, won by North Catholic, 1-0.

La Salle dominated much of the play, hitting three posts and testing McCarthy with some good balls. But the only one that went in the net didn't count - a throw-in by John Whitman from near the corner that didn't touch anyone on the field. And throw-ins need to be touched.

This was North Catholic's first game since losing, 1-0, to St. Benedict's (N.J.), which is fifth in the nation in the NSCAA/adidas rankings. In that game, McCarthy made 27 saves.

"I don't think anyone doubts that we have the best keeper in the area," North Catholic coach Gerry Brindisi said.

That may put North Catholic over the top eventually, but that remains to be seen. One of the game's many observers, Archbishop Ryan coach George Todt, could only shake his head in amazement over the play of both teams after the game was over.

"This is round one," Peffle said with a smirk. "It was a great Catholic League game."