Round 9: North Defeats LaSalle, 2-1

EARLY GOAL ERASED FOR FALCON VICTORY

North hosted LaSalle today in a pivotal PCL Red Division soccer clash at Archbishop Ryan. North was undefeated in regular season action while LaSalle was sitting tied for third place after 8 games.

As has been North's trend in important games this year, they found themselves behind very early in the match. On a corner kick in the third minute, a miscommunication between keeper John McCarthy and his defense led to LaSalle's score from a few yards from goal.

You could not describe this first half as clinical soccer, but North seemed to be gathering some momentum as the end of the half approached. Junior forward Juan Pablo Martinez had a couple scoring opportunities late in the half, but to no avail. Senior midfielder, Carl Essenthier continued his outstanding play by creating several attacking opportunities for North but the half ended with LaSalle still in front 1-0.

The second half was completely different from the first. North commanded the game and the pace of play. The ball remained on the pitch most of the half, mainly on LaSalle's side of the field. North had several scoring opportunities. Senior midfielder, Pat Greer was thwarted by LaSalle's keeper early in the half. A couple of crossing balls into the penalty area were unable to be knocked home. About ten minutes into the half North even the score. Essenthier received a ball, low in the box on the right side of the field. He was able to dart on a diagonal toward goal going right to left, cut the ball to his right foot and hammered a hard shot that somehow found the inside of net between the right post and the goaltenders head.

North continued to put pressure on the LaSalle defense throughout this half. Head coach, Jerry Brindisi opted to attack with three forwards rather than the customary two to try to win the game in regulation. LaSalle was able to survive, and regulation ended with both teams still knotted at 1 goal apiece.

In the first sudden death (victory as PIAA would like it to be known) period, the play was identical to that of the second half with North attacking and LaSalle defending and countering. About 5 minutes into the period, Senior midfielder, Mike Gredzlik gained possession of the ball near midfield. He pushed forward and found an unmarked Carl Essenthier on the right sideline. Carl saw Juan Pablo Martinez streaking into the box on an inside run. Carl one timed a pass into his path which Juan Pablo took to goal. A touch later, he slid a low shot in the far right corner to give North the victory.

DID YOU SEE...........

SUPERFANS abounded at this contest, as usual Tim Murphy was in attendance along with his brother Bob. Bartender of the Century, an honest man if he says so himself, Mr. Leo Filewicz was also made an appearance. Former North standout, Alby Hewitt also took an early day and watched his Falcons. Finally, Mr. Chris Campbell of Port Richmond fame was in attendance. Chris is the Head coach of Friends Central. As an alumnist of North, especially the soccer program, Chris has been integral with our success, thanks Chris.

Scroll down for the review of our Alumni Game last Saturday. Over 30 Alumnists came out for a day of soccer, camaraderie and friendship. While 30 sounds like a lot, itis small when you know there are a couple thousand soccer alumnists. We know we have some work to do and can use your help. So grab your wife, your kids and/or your grandkids and come root North on, we can use your support.

For schedules and all the results go to: www.northcatholicsoccer.com

You Really Had To See IT To Believe IT!

At the Falcon Nest, we usually only post about one column per game, and we usually reserve this space for the varsity team. But, since I make up the rules, I have decided to add a story about something I saw today and just had to share with the Falcon community. It all started when I left work a bit early to get to the eye doctor in time to pick up my new glasses. I ended up getting done earlier than expected and I got a reminder from my phone that the JV football team was playing Lansdale Catholic at Wissinoming Park. So, being relatively close to my house, I decided to catch as much of the game as possible.

As I’m watching the game, I’m chatting with Ed Glackin about this and that, while the scoreless game went on in front of us. Although it was a decent JV game, it did lacked scoring late in the game. The Falcons, at one point, had a first and goal inside the 10, but failed to score on four plays. A couple of people on the sidewalk wondered why North didn’t try for the chip shot field goal. But, I guess the coaches felt that we were moving the ball well enough to go for the touchdown. After Lansdale Catholic got a first down on their next possession, their drive stalled. The Falcons had one last shot at a score on the Lansdale Catholic side of the field. But, after 3 plays, the Falcons couldn’t make the first down and were faced with a 4th down at the Lansdale Catholic 23. And, to the bemusement of the crowd, the coaching staff decided to try a 40 yard field goal. Now, kicking a 40 yard field goal in college or the pros is not a big deal. Hell, even some varsity high school teams routinely attempt field goals from that distance. But, to attempt a field goal from 40 yards in a JV game is just down right lunacy. And, the following paragraph will show you why I’m writing this story and not coaching.

Did you ever see those eastern European weightlifters that are like 17 years old and they lift more weight than anyone thought was possible at the Olympics? It's usually because they have no idea that their not supposed to lift that much weight, or maybe nobody ever told them so. Well, enter Andrew “Noodles” Pierson (he hates that nickname, but it’s kind of caught on, so it stays). Noodles runs out on the field like he’s kicking an extra point. I really don’t think this young man understood that he’s being asked to do something that may have never happened in the 81 previous seasons at a NC JV football game. He’s being asked to kick a football 40 yards, through the uprights, while be rushed by a real live defense. As I’m in the middle of saying, “these guys are out of their minds,” the ball is snapped and placed perfectly on the kicking block, and Drew steps into it and blasts a perfect end over end kick that splits the uprights right down the middle, with a good 5 yards to spare, to give the JV Falcons a 3-0 win. I said, “Are you kidding me? I think that was like 40 yards.” Well, from my vantage point, I couldn’t really tell, so I walked over to the one person on the field who I was certain would know the exact distance……..Drew Pierson Sr, Andrew’s dad. He proudly told me that the ball was placed right on the 30 yard line. Wow! This kid, who got his start playing football on this very field about 10 years earlier, at Wissinoming Boys Club, comes back as a high school player and wins a game with an unbelievable kick. Fortunately, Drew played soccer for many years as a youngster, and he’s also a martial arts champion. You have to believe that this combination helped him with his kicking ability. (Editor’s Note: Please don’t let the soccer coaches know about this, as they may want him to try out for their team next season.) It was truly a sight to see.

After the game, I had to go down on the field to ask young Drew about that kick. When asked what he was thinking immediately after kicking that ball, he responded with, “I didn’t get my whole foot on the ball.” If that’s not getting his whole foot into the ball, I’d love to see what he can do when he really gets a hold of one. Drew then asked me if I was going to write about him. I told him that he’s getting his own article. Great job, Drew. I’m looking forward to seeing you kick for the next year and a half and writing about it.

Week 5 - Falcons shut out Lansdale Catholic 13-0

We’re not quite sure where to begin this week. The Falcons traveled up to Wissachickon high school on Friday night to take part in Lansdale Catholic’s first ever regular season game as a new member of the Philadelphia Catholic League. If anyone knows anything about Lansdale Catholic, you’ll know that this team has been a state power at the AA level for quite some time, including a state championship team in 2004. But, now the Crusaders are part of the AAA division of the Catholic League and they found out just how difficult this league can be. The Falcons defense was, in a word, stifling. They held the usually high powered Crusader offense to 130 total yards. The Falcons played a time consuming grind it out type of offense on Friday, as Eugene Byrd (29-158, 2 TD) quietly gained 158 yards in the 13-0 shutout, which gave the Falcons a 4-1 record. This is the first time since 1987 that the Falcons football team got off to a 4-1 start.

Click here for a little background on Eugene Byrd.
Profile of Eugene Byrd

Click here for story by Ted Silary featuring Eugene Byrd about the big win.
Game Summary from Daily News

The real star of this game (no disrespect to Eugene) was the defense. When the team needed a big play, the entire defensive unit stepped up and made that play. When a pass needed to be knocked down, one of the defensive backs always seemed to be there. Leading the team in tackles this week was junior Linebacker, Davide Williams, who accounted for 10 tackles (5 solo), and Joe Mascino, who accounted for 8 tackles (2 solo). Both players seemed to be wherever the ball was on Friday night. Kyle Fellenbaum had one sack and Curtis Wilson and Blake Graham each had a half sack. The entire defensive unit, represented by Joe Mascino, received the game ball.

Cheap Shot? We think not!
After the game, I’m standing at mid-field with some reporters, who are waiting for Eugene Byrd to finish his interview with the Philadelphia Daily News. One of the reporters says something to the affect that if the cheap shot by the North player would have been called, the outcome could have been a lot different. I was intrigued, so I listened in as this reporter and a reporter from the Philly Inquirer discussed it. The Inquirer guy said that from his vantage point in the press box, it didn’t look like a late hit. I said that I’d like to help, but from my vantage point on the NC sideline, I couldn’t tell. But, the guy mentioned that it was “the long run” by the LC QB. A quick check of my charts showed only one “long run” by Dan Plummer, the LC QB. The tackle was credited to Freddy DiMascia. Now, for anyone who doesn’t know Freddy, I’ll tell you straight up that although he’s a tough and hard-nosed football player, he’s one of the nicest and fairest young men on the team. (For some of you older guys out there, Freddy is the son of former All Catholic QB, Al DiMascia). I can’t honestly say this is the same guy, but the next day in the Bucks County Courier times, a story by reporter Rick Woelfel, described the play like this, “With his team down two scores in the fourth quarter, Plummer scrambled 15 yards for a first down at the Falcons 32. He was well out of bounds when a Falcon defender hit him but there was no flag on the play and the Crusaders ran out of downs at the North Catholic 24." I was thinking that maybe I’d go watch the film and see what this guy was talking about, but the next morning I got the answer that I was looking for. You see, the photo below, by Mike Cabrey, which was posted to TheReporterOnline.com, clearly shows that Mr Woelfel was more of a “homer” than an objective reporter at this game. Or, maybe it means Mr Woelfel needs new glasses. Note the position of DiMascia’s body (he’s finishing his hit) and notice the position of Plummer’s feet in relation the the sideline (he’s still in bounds). But, if a Bucks County reporter needs to grasp for excuses to explain how Lansdale Catholic lost a game against the former doormat of the Catholic League, then it is his reputation which will suffer in the long run. But, we’ll still remember him in our prayers at Northeast Catholic.

Did You notice…..
….that the rain was just enough to drive stats guys like myself batty? Actually, we’ve always been a little batty, but the misty rain really didn’t help.

….there are no hash marks or painted line markers on the field? My guess is that the soccer or lacrosse teams have more pull up at Wissachickon than does the football team.

…..the LC people at the concession stand are some of the nicest people we’ve encountered all season. There’s a bunch of them and they all seem to be smiling all the time.

….speaking of the concession stand, did you notice that someone forgot the mustard? Of course, I didn’t learn this until after I paid for my hotdog. I don’t want to accuse anyone of being un-American by not having mustard for the dogs, as I’m sure it was an honest over-sight on someone’s part.

….That Tina Fellenbaum, the better half of Mr & Mrs Fellenbaum, had a similar red and white striped shirt to her husband’s shirt (see week 1 “Did You Notice” report). After the loss to Coatesville in week 1, Carter Fellenbaum decided to retire his shirt. The team has gone 4-0 since.

…..Some of the player’s numbers didn’t match the roster? This only happens during the weeks where the team wears the white jerseys. It’s kind of a long story here.

Faces in the Crowd…
I have to confess that I didn’t do as much smoozing this week as I normally do. I was actually on the Daily News payroll for the game, so I needed to make sure I had stats for both teams and I needed to secure a player for an interview after the game.

…..I did speak with Father Kilty for a brief moment during half time. He and I had the same complaint about scheduling. You see, some of us football guys are actually fans of the NC soccer team too, but it seems as though the soccer games and the football games always seem to be scheduled at the same time. But, there’s enough season left to catch the booters as they embark on the second half of the season. By the way, we don’t always mention it here, but when there is no conflict, you can often catch some of the soccer guys at the football games.

….While going to the restroom at half time, I spotted former NC head football coach and current Lansdale Catholic principal, Tim Quinn. This is the second game in a row where a former NC football coach was in attendance. Last week, at the Pennridge game, Bill Saybolt was on top of the press box filming the game. Coach Saybolt coached the team most of the 1980’s.

North Soccer Alumni Game: See What You Missed

One of the interesting differences from other sports is soccer’s annual anniversary we call our Alumni Game. I rarely see any other sport hosting such an event and makes soccer unique and this is no different at North. In fact, I don’t have this as a fact but I would bet you that North is the primary reason for high school soccer alumnus reunions, just another way we have and are trendsetters.

It did not seem possible, first that North’s varsity team would be played on Friday night and second that the Annual Alumni Game would take place on Saturday given the rain this area accumulated since Thursday night and what was forecasted through Sunday, but as luck would have it, both of events took place and more importantly were successful for the soccer program. As most of you know, the Falcons vanquished Roman on Friday night by the score of 2-0 (see www.northcatholicsoccer.com and www.thefalconnest.com). Now, the highlights of the Alumni Game.

Under the leadership of North’s Soccer Alumni Association, the soccer program took a pro-active, albeit risky, approach by having its game at Danubia Soccer Club. Typically, throughout the years, this funfilled game was played at North’s practice and game fields. In recent years, that has been Torresdale and Devereaux. Previously, the tandem of Scanlon Playground and Kensington Ramblers Club played host to the game and the place to talk and lie about the past. However, in the past several years the number of Alumni coming to play was decreasing at an alarming clip. The idea of taking the game to a soccer only venue, while novel, posed the risk that many former Falcons might not want to leave the neighborhood.

With over 25 players to play and many more in attendance, the game was a huge success with representation from the 60s into this century throughout the day. Hall of Famers Hugh McInaw and Ed Blaney along with Paul Duddy, Mike Huckle and Dennis Drumm represented the 60s. Hall of Famer, Ed Sheridan, Joe Steffa, Mike Hines, Bob Strom and Ed Stangler (in from Boston for the game) were the faces of the 70s. The 80s players were: Jim Hooven, John “Bird” Regan and John Frisky (with his son of course). The 90s included: Tony Rod, Anthony Noel, Mike "Primo" Primavera, Chris McKenna, Mike Bednarz,Chris Ochs, Paul Hollinger, Anthony “Hoody” Hood, Tim O’Neil, John Burns, Danny Morris. The youngsters of 00 were: Matt (I am not Leo) Filewicz, Tim Greer, Joe Rotan, Joe Blaney, Matt Stricker, Alby Hewitt, Joe Rudolph, Ryan Sullivan.

The game was divided between odd and even graduation years. The score of the game did not matter (6-1 for the evens) but the events leading up to the game are something to talk about. Former soccer stud Tony “I need to train for a marathon” Rod bragged of scoring four goals minimum. Well he did tally one, but officially it was an own goal (so that doesn’t count Tony). His flubbed shot hit off the backside of the defender past the laughing goalie. He also missed a breakaway, but he did keep the ball in the park as it hit a tree behind the goal. Ron Noel kept the game in check, issuing no “red” cards which surprised many on the sidelines. The goal highlight came from Anthony “Hoody” Hood. Hoody commandeered a ball about 40 yards from goal and smacked a rocket of a shot passed the stunned Pat Zolk (he of Frankford fame) in the second half. Afterwards, Head Coach Jerry Brindisi got Hoody to pose for the shot with his new “disposable” camera. Now all he needs to do is get the film developed, the heck with technology! There were thankfully no injuries in the game, not even egos, but Mouse Hines did deliver some hospital balls that posed the threat of injury. I was going to ask Mouse about these balloon balls after the game, but as usual, he slinked out of the affair, unnoticed with his usual excuse “I have to get something I left in the car.” What we do know though is who the real Hines is and that would be Sean Hines. Not only did Sean hang out and watch every second of the game, he hung out in the beef n’ beer till the Danubschwabans asked him to leave which was well after Grandmaster Hans was seen pacing the hall saying “I need the check!”

How about this for a table, Paul Duddy, Ed Blaney, Hugh McInaw and Ed Sheridan. Mouse was seen hovering around the table, lobbying for a committee to study the idea of a JV Hall of Fame. This will be no surprise but the bar area was two rows deep and that wasn’t because of a football game on the tube nor was it because of the Columbian soccer game.

There were a few MIAs which provided more opportunity to talk about them. These men of mystery are obvious to many of us but I don’t want to keep you in suspense, they are: Mike “Call me Robbo” Robinson, Rusty Bono and the O’Donnell’s. There is no question that the ODonnell's have a legitimate reason, but let me tell you about Robbo’s. He was heard telling Joe Steffa that he traveled to Utah and thought he couldn’t make the day. The problem was the trip to Utah was 10 days before the day. I guess it must be the time change and its impact on Mike. Rusty had to mind his grandchild. I guess it did not dawn of him that he could have brought the child with him. And where was Chris Brunetti? Rumor has it, he was camping, yes camping, with his girlfried somewhere in Pennypack Park. Thanks Chris!

How about this, there was a guy there that no one knew. Joe Steffa, acting as our bouncer approached to guy to find out who he was and was he armed. He told Joe that he grew up in New Jersey but his dad went to North. He saw an ad in paper about the game and beef n’ beer and wanted to support us for his dad. I don’t know if he played soccer, but who cares, he came to support us. Now that is a good man better than many who went to the school and his name is Hugh McHugh.

It would not be an Alumni Game without some representation from our brothers at Frankford. Once again, Pat O’Neil was a prominent player and this year he was joined by Pat “My Left Foot” Zolk and no, you don’t need the name Pat to play if you are from Frankford. If you don’t know, Pat O’Neil is one of North’s most avid supporters. His brother Timmy led North to the 1999 PCL Championship and Pat has stayed with us ever since. In fact, in 2007, North Soccer awarded Pat the “Fan of the Year.” Pat Zolk is the JV coach and the Uncle of Mike “Zoom” Zolk, a major player on this year’s Varsity team. Most of the Zolk boys were there. Pat wearing his North shirt, brother Mike in Phillies regalia and brother Steve impersonating John Elway in a bright orange jersey. You can always count of the Zolks for their support, thanks guys.

There were other former stars seen such as Joe “Dunser” Dunlevy. Joe spends much of his time organizing and leading a golf group when he is not protecting the campus of Temple University.

I have always said that if any clothing item says “North” on it, then people will want to have it. Case in point, Head Coach Jerry Brindisi met with AD Tom Kaiser the other day. Tom showed Jerry some old jerseys from teams from the 60s and 70s. He told Jerry that he was going to toss these uniforms. Jerry asked Tom if he could have them for the Alumni Game, he was sure that someone would want one or two as a memento. Jerry also brought along form vintage sweatshirts, tees and hats from the past several years. Guess what, almost all of it went. You had to see these old uniform tops. I know boys today are bigger and faster than my generation but there were a couple of shirts that my 9 year old might find tight, but we sold them nonetheless, once again, true Falcons with Falcon memories. We need to send a special thanks to the non-soccer supports of North as well. Mr. Frank Wolldonger has been generous in his support of the program and Joe "Bo-Bo" Foley spent the day with us as well, thanks guys.

Finally, Saturday was the first day to nominate past players for Hall of Fame consideration. Our event brought a couple of names to the nominating committee. If you have anyone in mind, please see the website for criteria and how to nominate. The deadline for nominations for consideration is November 1. If you run into Mouse Hines remember,there is no JV Hall of Fame.