Stuck in the mud, the lights turned out, three crossbars rattled and nothing to show for it.

The Springside-Chestnut Hill boys soccer team could have just decided it wasn’t their night – and in all those ways it wasn’t.

But that turned entirely when SCH got its breakthrough with 18 minutes to play from senior Peter Kapp and the Hillers streamrolled from there as defending champion Springside-Chestnut Hill Academy defeated Hill School 3-1 in the Pa. Independent Schools Athletic Association championship Wednesday night at Immaculata University’s Draper Walsh Stadium.

Final: Springside Chesnut Hill 3, Hill School 1, PAISAA boys soccer championship. Burckhardt strikes twice as @HillersSoccer repeat as champs pic.twitter.com/VxvAXiUhD1

— Austin Hertzog (@AustinHertzog) November 15, 2018

Senior midfield standout Phil Burckhardt scored twice – he also scored two goals in last year’s title game, a 2-0 SCH win over Hill – while Kapp gave SCH the long-sought leveler after Hill School freshman Noah Toole put the Blues on top in the first half.

As the front-running teams of the PAISAA tournament over the last two years, an unexpected rivalry has formed between SCHA and Hill.

“Last year, Hill beat us in the regular season so they had an edge on us. This year we beat them in the regular season so it’s been back and forth,” Burckhardt said, “but at this point for me and the seniors, this being my final game … I love these guys and we’ve been through a lot. But we’ve been on a roll here lately and finally beating Hill again is an amazing feeling.”

Hill School (13-8) settled for silver for the second straight year while maintaining its run of reaching the final in all but one year of the PAISAA’s existence – champions in 2013, 2014 and 2016; finalists in 2011, 2012 and 2017. Hill entered riding an eight-game win streak that featured a perfect run in the Mid-Atlantic Prep League, the Blues’ first league trophy since 2013.

“It was a tough time for us to not play one of our better matches, but considering we were (3-6) to come out of that and rattle off as many straight as we did, we hoped we had one more half in us,” Hill School head coach Chris Drowne said. “Unfortunately we come up one half short.

“Everybody says that you have to appreciate the journey. A lot of people that just consider it a birthright to be in the final four of this tournament, or the final match, don’t appreciate how much work it takes or how many quality teams there are in this draw that you have to go through.”

Springside-Chestnut Hill Academy’s Sean Stackhouse battles Hill School’s (15)Chance Antonio for the ball in the first half of the Pa. Independent Schools Championship at Immaculata University Wednesday evening.

The day seemed like it was adding up bits of adversity for the Hillers: their team bus got stuck in the mud on the way to Immaculata. A chance-filled first half was only broken up by a power outage of the stadium lights in the 18th minute. Once back on after a 15-minute delay, both teams were on their games, junior forward Zach Barrett and senior midfielder Hale Lombard leading the Blues’ charge while seniors Dane Harmaty, Luke Greenberg and Burckhardt led the Hillers’ thrust.

Greenberg hit the crossbar shortly after the restart and was frantically cleared by Hill, which led to a counterattack that saw freshman substitute Toole carry down the right side and go near post for the 1-0 advantage.

Barrett was inches from making it 2-0 when Lombard played him behind the defense but his shot on the breakaway hit the left post.

“The first half and right through halftime I thought we did a great job in all three thirds of the field,” Hill coach Chris Drowne said. “We created some chances but didn’t finish enough of them and when you leave a team that is that dangerous in the match, they are going to break through. They deserved the breakthrough.”

Hill School’s (4) Zach Barrett tries to thread the Springside-Chestnut Hill Academy defense in the first half of the Pa. Independent Schools Championship at Immaculata University Wednesday evening.

Hill’s senior center back pair Euan Forrest and Aidan Sullivan were strong throughout, but as the game wore on, the Hillers were stronger – provided the goal frame would finally cooperate.

“I kept on looking at the clock and the time kept ticking on down,” said Burckhardt, who will play at Drexel next year. “But then when we got the first one, it was an amazing feeling especially when my fellow senior and one of the best friends gets it. I knew with the crowd going wild that at that point we were gonna get another and finish it for sure.”

Once Kapp got SCH on level terms, the Hillers were on fire. Burckhardt missed a great chance with 13 to play, but made good minutes later on the follow of a left-footed shot from Harmaty, who got himself some space with a beautiful Cruyff turn on the edge of the penalty area.

SCH sealed it on a give-and-go counterattack breakaway between Burckhardt and Scott Bandura to put the game to bed.

The celebration was on for the Hillers and their large student section and capped a 16-4-1 season. The SCH senior class included Burckhardt, Harmaty, Kapp, Greenberg, goalkeepers Owen Elliott (2 saves), Kieron Cook (1 save) and Nate McDowell, Patrick McHugh, Nick Dolente and Jack Myers.

Hill graduates an accomplished senior class that featured center backs Euan Forrest and Aidan Sullivan, plus Chance Antonio, Alberto Fernandez, Hale Lombard and Aiden Woolley.

“It’s the smallest senior class we’ve had in my time as coach, but certainly impactful in terms of how they led every single day and the final results they knew they wanted to post, how hard they worked to make sure everybody appreciated the level it takes to do so,” Drowne said.

Notes >> Hill goalkeeper Alan Kim had five saves. SCH led in shots on goal 8-4 and total shots 21-14. … Hill’s path to the title game featured wins over Friends Central (1-0 on Oct. 31), Penn Charter (3-0 on Nov. 6) and Mercersburg Academy (2-0 on Nov. 8) in the semifinals. … Springside-Chestnut Hill, the No. 3 seed, bested Germantown Academy (1-0 on Nov. 2), Malvern Prep (3-0 on Nov. 6) and Kiski Prep (1-0 on Nov. 8) to position itself for a PAISAA repeat.

When Sam Holt took over the Radnor soccer program in 1984 from his mentor Bob Siemons, among the things he was bequeathed was a pile of papers, the detritus of two decades running a team.

Mike Barr’s role as unofficial historian around that time was more unspoken. Chris Jones, the first coach of a unified Strath Haven, had written it all down in the early 1980s – goalscorers, all-state picks, schedules, records. So Barr decided to follow suit?

The pair didn’t set out to add “chronicler” to their resumes. It wasn’t even posterity that they had in mind, per se. Holt didn’t organize Radnor’s history so that four decades later, he’d be on email chains with members of the 1980 state runner-up team, in locations around the globe. Barr didn’t seek to become the keeper of knowledge for one of Pennsylvania’s greatest programs at Strath Haven.

The dual intent wasn’t necessarily to have their protégés use that info to build on their legacies. But that’s how it transpired at both Radnor and Strath Haven.

Since the program debuted in 1965, Radnor boys soccer has had only five head coaches. Four of them — from left, Alan Mezger, Joe Caruolo, Sam Holt and Kyle Shilcock-Elliott — gathered in 2016 to dedicate part of the soccer field at Radnor High in Holt’s honor. Caruolo, with Shilcock-Elliott as his assistant, will coach the Raiders in Saturday’s PIAA Class 4A final. (Submitted photo)

This weekend marks the first time that two Delaware County boys soccer teams have played for PIAA championships in the same season. Strath Haven will take on West Allegheny in Friday’s Class 3A final; Radnor will meet Wilson in the Class 4A championship Saturday, both at HersheyPark Stadium.

It’s no coincidence that those two are the only Delco programs to ever have made a PIAA final, and the reason involves the legacies that Holt and Barr left at their respective programs, and also the freedom for successors to apply their personal spin on that heritage.

“It’s pretty cool, because you don’t know that it’s happening as it’s happening,” Holt said Thursday. “There wasn’t any structure when you were making it happen. It just happened, and it’s a real positive.”

Holt was revered through the decades at Radnor. Siemons founded the program in 1965; Holt began working his way through the middle school ranks in 1968, after three years in the army stationed in Alaska and Vietnam. He filled every role up the ladder before taking over the Raiders varsity.

When he took over, Holt saw the way in which programs like Lower Merion, Upper Darby and Barr’s Strath Haven operated, incorporating the past into the present.

“It seemed like the thing to do,” Holt said. “When you build a history and current players see the older players come back and make the hall of fame and they come back to the induction at the yearly banquet, there’s just a connection.”

Even the notoriously feisty Barr knew it, and his respect for Holt speaks volumes.

“It’s easy for me to hold animosity toward some coaches because sometimes that drove me to be more successful,” Barr said. “But for Sam, I admired him from the time I met him. …

“Sam had never gotten into states – I think they only took three teams from District 1. They were playing large schools like we were, we were playing for the championship of District 1, and I remember watching his face when Radnor clinched third place to get into states, and him hugging his son, Eric (a two-time All-Delco goalie who graduated in 1993). I almost felt like this is better than me winning districts.”

“Strath Haven was really who planted the flag, and the rest of us were really intent on competing with Mike and his teams,” Holt said. “Right now, that we’re rooting for each other is really cool.”

Were that history hermetically sealed like a ship in a bottle, it would make for a good reminiscing and little more. But at both programs, it’s a living, breathing history. Radnor has only had five head coaches in program history. Alan Mezger, the 1990 Daily Times Player of the Year, took over for Holt. Kyle Shilcock-Elliott, another former Holt player, followed, leading Radnor to the 2004 PIAA Class AA title. Now, Joe Caruolo is in charge, with Shilcock-Elliott as his assistant, a pairing which brought home a Class AAA district title two years ago.

Caruolo didn’t play for Holt, but rather earned All-Delco honors playing at Carroll. Holt raves about “a screaming goal” Caruolo scored against Radnor back in the day.

But like his four predecessors, Caruolo teaches in the district. After the Raiders advanced to the final Tuesday, Caruolo thanked Holt for preserving the history that he’s imparted to the team.

“To be a part of history and make your own history, that’s kind of what differentiates us from a lot of programs,” Caruolo said. “Credit to Sam Holt who kept record of the history dating back to 1965 and allowed you to play for something special … to play a role in history.”

The line of descent is more direct at Haven. Ryan O’Neill was the 1995 Daily Times Player of the Year, fueling one of Barr’s five state titles. He joined the staff and took over when Barr resigned in 2006.

O’Neill, whom Barr bestows the utmost praise as “the biggest overachiever in high school soccer that I ever saw” for his slight frame and immense skill, has been at the helm of the Panthers for 13 seasons. O’Neill succeeded early with the nucleus handed down from Barr. But as the landscape has shifted with the advent of developmental academies, few schools have been as hard hit by recruitment as Haven.

Radnor coach Ryan O’Neill

Yet O’Neill has found his way to pen a new chapter with this year’s District 1 title, and he’s mobilized the platform of its illustrious history to do so.

“You couldn’t ask for anything else,” O’Neill said. “It shows the kids how much history is behind it all, how important it is to the team, the school and the community, the alumni. And they’ve really seen that in the support they’ve received in the last couple of weeks.”

Holt said that of all the buzz he’s heard from former players, the most excited are the 1980 team, which lost in the final to Fleetwood. Several members plan to drive to Hershey, many of whom met and talked to the current varsity squad a few years ago when they were in town for a reunion.

It’s further evidence of the transformative power that occurs when individuals meld as a team on a deep states run. That journey creates the history that fosters more of it, as Barr and Holt once did, and as close friends O’Neill and Caruolo are now doing for untold future generations.

“I don’t think there’s a more joyous moment playing soccer than going to a state championship,” said Barr, who went to six of them. “… I did send a text to Ryan yesterday to remind his kids that winning a state championship is something that’s going to last forever for these kids and tie them together for the rest of their lives. We’ll forget who won state championships, but those kids will always remember and it’ll tie them into the future together.”

“At the end of the day, we’re into being a part of something, and that has been a key for me,” O’Neill said. “It’s been a long time to get to winning at this level, but I think when you make it about the enjoyment of the experience and when I can reach each individual player across the whole program, when that becomes the ideal goal, everything else comes together.”

HERSHEY — Late in the second half of the PIAA Class 3A boys soccer final Friday night, Strath Haven conjured a great look at the West Allegheny goal. Jacob Zweier collected the ball at the 18, faked one way, then turned and rifled a shot. The attempt had Braden Wurst at full stretch, and the Indians’ keeper tipped it onto the crossbar. The ball glanced away.

Down three goals at that point, if the Panthers had any doubt it wasn’t going to be their night, that doubt was now gone. Their wild ride to the state championship, one that included a two-goal comeback in the semifinals and an overtime victory in the first round, ended at HersheyPark Stadium in a 4-0 loss to West Allegheny. It was the Pittsburgh-area school’s first state title.

Strath Haven goalie Noah Atsaves tries to make the save on a penalty kick by Nathan Dragisich of West Allegheny in PIAA Class 3A boys’ soccer final at Hersheypark Stadium Friday. Dragisich scored this goal as part of a hat trick. (Mark Palczewski/For Digital First Media)

Strath Haven’s misfortune wasn’t limited to the crossbar. The Panthers were without starting defender Harris Hardy, who left the semifinal game against Archbishop Wood with a concussion. Midway through the first half, center midfielder Emmet Young came out of a challenge with an injured leg. He was helped off the field and eventually left the stadium in ambulance. Not too long after halftime, Gavin Birch took the worst of a 50-50 ball, and he also wouldn’t return to action.

The situation meant that Haven was down three starters and, with 32:05 to play, three goals.

“I thought we started off well,” midfielder Andrew Lowman said. “We kind of teetered off toward the middle of the game. A couple of tough calls went against us, and we had to battle back.”

Indeed, the most important referee decisions came at the Panthers’ expense. The first came 20:39 into the game, when Zweier went in hard on a slide tackle. He won the ball but cleaned out Jaxon Ervin in the process. The official deemed it “reckless,” carded Zweier and spotted the Indians a free kick in a dangerous area. Nathan Dragisich delivered a cross to the six where Antonio Fiorfilino headed the ball home.

Some 15 minutes later, Dragisich doubled the lead with some quick thinking. He curled one in from 30-plus yards when Haven was unsettled following a foul.

“The free kick was called. I saw the goalie and the defenders arguing with the ref, and the net was wide open,” Dragisich said. “I sprinted up to the ball, and I knew I had a chance to put it in. And I did.”

WA strikes first! Antonio Fiordillino the header off a very soft call on Jake Zweier. 1-0 in the 21st. pic.twitter.com/ASiAGDAJId

— Matthew De George (@sportsdoctormd) November 17, 2018

It wasn’t his first attempt at the move in his scholastic career, but it was his first successful one. And it told the story of the match. If the Panthers were somewhat unlucky, West Allegheny capitalized on its opportunities.

For the game, the Indians put nine shots on target to Haven’s four, although Zweier’s chance was the only one that really troubled Wurst. On the other side, Noah (16-7-2) Atsaves did all he could to keep the opponents at bay. He parried a Fletcher Amos scissor kick over the cross bar when the score was still 1-0. Atsaves stoned Amos again at the 38:45 mark of the second half. But while the goalkeeper stayed strong, the Panthers’ vaunted offense couldn’t get going.

The Panthers were shut out for the first time all season. Even Nate Perrins, he of 15 postseason goals, struggled to influence things in the attack.

Strath Haven’s Nate Perrins, left, heads the ball ahead of West Allegheny’s Nathan Dragisich in Friday’s PIAA Class 3A boys soccer final at Hersheypark Stadium. Dragisich’s hat trick led the Indians to a 4-0 win. (Mark Palczewski/For Digital First Media)

“It was just one of those nights. Soccer is a cruel sport,” Haven coach Ryan O’Neill said. “(Perrins) helped create some of the early chances. We just didn’t capitalize. At a certain point, it was like, we had to push him back a little bit.”

When the Panthers did push the ball forward, West Allegheny (23-2) won it back and broke into space.

“They played very much on the counterattack,” Dragisich explained. “Doing that, they opened up a lot for us. Out on the wings, we had a lot of space, so we tried to find that as soon as possible and as much as possible.”

Amos led one such break after a Haven free kick was cleared away. He eventually cut into the Panthers’ penalty area where Vincent Palermo fouled him. Haven didn’t like the call. Dragisich buried the ensuing spot kick eight minutes into the second half.

Dragisich added his third with 12:12 to play, completing a terrific hat trick.

“They’re great players, man. Hats off to them,” Lowman said. “They’re good on the ball. They move well.”

Only a sophomore, Lowman is one of a handful of underclassmen who saw game action in the final. A special word should go to junior defender John Holstein, who filled in admirably for Hardy, winning tackles and clearing danger.

“Experience,” Lowman said when asked what he’ll take away from the defeat. “Especially in this game, when things don’t go your way, you have to battle back. (In the) semifinal game, throughout this whole year we did a great job of that.”

O’Neill, a Haven soccer lifer, will remember something else.

“The support we’ve gathered. The way we’ve fought back every time,” O’Neill said. “We’re down four goals, and they’re not giving up. The boys themselves, just coming together for a common goal and playing great soccer. Coming on the bus today, it was great. To step out of our school today, and to have almost the entire school in the back, cheering us on … what they’ve created is history.”

HERSHEY — Nate Perrins was reluctant to receive the silver trophy for PIAA runner-up from Dr. Robert Lombardi Friday night. But having been there before, Vincey Palermo stepped up.

The 4-0 loss to West Allegheny in the PIAA Class 3A boys soccer final at HersheyPark Stadium isn’t the first time Palermo has been on the wrong side of a state final, with his twin brother Nicky not far away. But the macro view of those accomplishments – runs to the PIAA championship games in lacrosse and soccer in the same calendar year – is something very few ever get the chance to achieve. And even through the disappointment of Friday’s loss, that level of attainment rang true to both twins.

“Certainly both seasons we enjoyed a lot,” Vincey said. “This soccer season, this whole year, we’ve had a lot of support, and that’s made it worthwhile. And it’s really just cool in school when we have the whole school behind us.”

The brothers were heavily involved in both state final runs. Vincey split time down the middle with Will Brake in goal in lacrosse, helping the Panthers make the state final last spring before falling to Bishop Shanahan. Vincey was in net for the second half most often, meaning that a double-overtime win in the District 1 third-place game to get to states and the overtime victory against Mars Area in the state semis were on his goaltending watch.

That Mars win was clinched by Nicky’s goal, the midfielder finishing fifth on the team in scoring with a penchant for showing up in the biggest games.

Strath Haven defender Vincey Palermo kicks the ball away from in front of the Panthers goal against West Allegheny in PIAA Class 3A boys soccer final Friday.
(Mark Palczewski/For Digital First Media)

Soccer is the first sport for the twins, who celebrated birthdays last week, the product of growing up in an Italian family. Lacrosse was a later adoption, but one they’ve taken to.

With their state finals experience, the Palermos helped Strath Haven get off to a fast start Friday, albeit not one they could sustain against West Allegheny. Nicky provided a couple of dangerous runs from his left wing spot, but they didn’t manifest into shots on target. The Panthers had just four shots that found the cage, none seriously troubling goalkeeper Braden Wurst until a Jacob Zweier effort was tipped off the crossbar in the second half.

“A lot of kids were definitely nervous today because it’s the first time playing in a state championship game,” Nicky said. “But I think me and Vincey were more prepared to play in it. I think we came out strong, our whole team actually, and we had a couple of shots, then one of our players got hurt and it went all downhill from there.”

“They obviously set the tone,” Perrins said. “They send a message to the other team and our team that they’re ready to play the whole time they’ve been here, and I couldn’t ask for more.”

In a game where Strath Haven (16-7-2) struggled to find the balance between smartly physical and dangerously aggressive, both Palermos were caught up in the fray, each earning yellow cards. Center back Vincey could’ve gotten a caution for a tactical foul late in the first half. Instead, West Allegheny’s buzzing playmaker Nathan Dragisich served the free kick quickly from 30 yards out, catching the defense by surprise with a wonderfully taken set piece that glided by the outstretched arm of goalie Noah Atsaves in the 37th minute.

Vincey did get his yellow by taking down a counter-attacking Fletcher Amos in the box in the 48th minute, which Dragisich converted easily from the spot to make it 3-0. Dragisich would complete his hat trick with 12 minutes to play, giving the Indians (23-2) a comprehensive victory.

The Palermos know, however, that the final game isn’t what they’ll remember most from a trip through states. Just in the same way that their lacrosse run wasn’t defined by the last three quarters being comprehensively dismantled by Shanahan, Friday’s humbling by West Allegheny isn’t the final word on what this Strath Haven team accomplished. From fifth place in the Central League to a District 1 championship and a PIAA final – the program’s seventh and first since 2001 – the Panthers’ success to this late juncture of the season wasn’t exactly expected.

That surprise element adds to the gratification players like Nicky feel.

“We make brothers on the team,” he said. “We definitely get a lot closer. During the regular season, I’m not close with some of the younger kids, but then as we start playing through playoffs and then states, we get to play and make a brotherhood and a family.”

The silver trophy that Vincey so reluctantly cradled Friday isn’t the one the Panthers hoped to tote home. But that trophy’s value increases with every day of distance from the night’s disappointment, a token of what this group accomplished.

The Palermos know that from experience, something they’ll pass on to their teammates in time.

“It took so much effort from the team, from the support from our parents, from our coaches, and that’s all that matters,” Vincey said. “We came out here to prove ourselves, and we ended up doing it.”

“It’s definitely the journey,” Nicky said. “I’m happy how far our team went. I remember a teammate said on the bus the other day about how we lost to Ridley in the summer league, and then we came all the way to the state championships. It’s really exciting.”

To contact Matthew De George, email mdegeorge@21st-centurymedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @sportsdoctormd.

HERSHEY — Charlie Bernicker stood, eyes wide, mouth agape, as though he’d seen a ghost. What triggered the Radnor midfielder’s disbelief was, in the moment, perhaps even more terrifying.

As the clock at HersheyPark Stadium ticked under 30 seconds to play Saturday night in the PIAA Class 4A boys soccer final, Radnor and Wilson seemed destined for overtime of a taut affair. But by a margin that no one seems quite sure of — nor can they agree the margin even existed – overtime was never to be.

Instead, midfielder Lucas Sarge played a hopeful ball wide though a dummy run. Wilson winger Victor Vottero gained a step and shot from a sharp angle, though the legs of Radnor goalie Henry Cooke, toward retreating defender Josh Savadove, who stumbled by the most minute of margins as he scrambled for the line, the difference in a measure that will forever, in the minds of those wearing Radnor white, remain in question.

Wilson’s Patrick Ndambo heads a ball while almost taking the head of Radnor’s Bobby Hydrisko Saturday. Radnor’s Eliot Hayes is right on top of the play while Ben Verbofsky (10) has a view from the cheap seats. (Bill Rudick/For Digital First Media)

Vottero scored with 17 seconds left off an offensive move that materialized from nothing and the ball inched (millimetered?) over the line just before right back Savadove’s clearance, the only goal in Wilson’s 1-0 win.

“I saw Sarge get it, and he just barely got it across to me, and it just guided its way through,” Vottero said. “Devven (Frey) barely let it, I don’t know if he tried to miss it or what. I was there, and the goalkeeper barely got a piece. But I guess it was just good enough in that moment.”

“We were just trying to get to overtime because they had the pressure on us,” Savadove said. “They got one in. I had to get back. It went through Cooke’s legs, and it didn’t go in.”

The illusion was that some part of the ball crossed the line. Savadove covered ground quickly but stumbled just a fraction before sweeping the shot back toward the field of play, striking the underside of the crossbar and suggesting by its trajectory that the ball started further in the net. But with broadcast camera angles and a scrambling referee who didn’t get to the end line to judge such a microscopic margin, the illusion might be just that.

“It was a 2-on-1, and I thought I played it right,” Savadove said. “Cooke came out, made a good save. I thought I got it out.”

Didn’t cross, sadly pic.twitter.com/VdLnhrY1q4

— Austin Hertzog (@AustinHertzog) November 18, 2018

The only definitive answer was that Vottero had a gold medal around his neck and the game ball snuggly in his grasp as the Radnor players trudged off the field with a silver trophy.

The expectation of overtime didn’t just dawn in the final minute. Close contests have been the norm in these championships – four of eight finals were decided in an extra session, while Wilson’s win joined the Class 3A girls finale in requiring a game-winner in the final 10 minutes of regulation. Wilson (20-3-2) didn’t allow a goal in four states matches. Radnor allowed two markers in the opening 27 minutes of its states run – on this same turf against the Cumberland Valley side that vanquished Wilson for the District 3 title – then allowed just one more in the next 292 minutes, until the clocked showed 79:43 Saturday.

So a stalemated midfield affair should’ve shocked no one. Radnor’s first shot on target was an easy scoop for Ben Sulsky on a Jackson Birtwistle free kick from 35 yards in the 47th minute, and Radnor’s best chance was a Bernicker volley in the second half that rattled the crossbar.

Wilson wins it!!! What a heartbreaker for Radnor. Wow. pic.twitter.com/H5EDDLR9NR

— Matthew De George (@sportsdoctormd) November 18, 2018

“The ball just kind of showed up and coach preaches to us, ‘always expect the ball,’” he said. “And I expected it and I just put it one foot high and it hit the crossbar. From there, I had to forget about it, move on to the next play.”

Wilson limited Radnor’s set-piece chances, conceding just two corners and few long throws for Bobby Hydrisko, a product of the Raiders’ need to stay compact at the expense of attacking the flanks.

Wilson tightened the screws in the second half with seven corner kicks, but Radnor repelled them. Bennett Mueller blocked a half-dozen shots with his rangy frame, and Ben Verbofsky bested speedy winger Patrick Ndambo, who threatened but rarely latched on to through balls in dangerous areas.

The best Wilson chances were confined to shots from midfield, like a Tyler Dell volley that Nate Congleton dove to corral through a tangle of legs in the first half, or a Cooke save on a Sarge effort after the break.

Golden chance goes begging for Jake Lee. Halftime: Wilson 0, Radnor 0. pic.twitter.com/aG6GKgklQ3

— Matthew De George (@sportsdoctormd) November 18, 2018

That is, until those fateful final seconds.

For a select group of 30-some players, that final play will be dissected like the Zapruder film over the coming days and weeks. What is much more definitive is that the Raiders’ run will be recalled for much more than how it ended. From the fifth seed in District 1 and powered by a core of 11 contributing seniors, the Raiders ousted three district champions. They reached the program’s first big-school final since 1980 and the first of any kind since winning Class AA in 2004.

No camera angle of that postseason jaunt leaves any doubt about those achievements.

“It’s just amazing how much they’ve affected me as a sophomore and how much I’ve learned from them,” the sophomore Bernicker said of the senior class. “This year, playing behind kids like Eliot Hayes and Bennett Mueller and Evan Majercak and Ben Verbofsky, those kids never stop fighting. We came into this playoff and for me, it was every game, oh, maybe we’re going to lose this game, and then for someone that’s one of those seniors, they have all of us believing, no, we are not losing this game.”

“They played their hearts out for each other, and they love each other as a family,” coach Joe Caruolo said. “The fact that they’ve gotten this far, they’re going to go down in history and have one of the most memorable experiences they’ve ever had in their lives. And not just how they’ve impacted each other, but the school and the community and everybody around them. The fact that they had the power to do that and made the run, they’ll always remember that.”

HERSHEY >> Fleetwood’s return to mountaintop was a long time coming.

A traditional small-school soccer power rich in history, the Tigers played for six state titles between 1978 and 2000, winning two outright and sharing a third — in their last appearance, 18 years ago against Quaker Valley, when four overtimes couldn’t settle the issue during an era without penalty shootouts. 

Since then, nothing. Until Saturday. Once there, though, in the PIAA 2A final, the Tigers made it all the way back.

When Aiden Negron one-timed an entry pass from Haydyn Zagorksi and roofed it to upper right-hand corner midway into the first overtime against Deer Lakes, it delivered the first state title to Fleetwood since Hersheypark Stadium sported grass 18 autumns ago.

It is Fleetwood’s first outright crown since the 1980 Tigers clipped Radnor for top honors during the one-classification days.

Negron sent a ball at 89:46 — a potluck offering into the box from the pacey Zagorski — off his right foot from about 12 yards out to cleanly beat Deer Lakes goalie Jesse Greyshock high and to the corner of the frame for a 1-0 final verdict and with it, the first gold add to the school’s trophy case since Saturday’s seniors were infants, if they were around at all.

The best part? The Tigers don’t have to share this one.

“Haydyn ran around three or four defenders,” an emotional Negron said, “and I just came in from behind and poked it in. It was just a reaction. I tried to put my foot out and win this game. I’m really just speechless and I don’t know what to say right now.”

Fleetwood’s journey back, as the second seed coming out of District 3, was one of determination and resulting dominance. The Tigers won their three state games by a combined 14-3 margin, including a 6-2 thrashing of Midd-West in the semifinal. The vaunted wing attack, paced by Zagorski on the right side, was in high gear.

But after some early promise in Saturday’s final against the Lancers, the wing attack crossing pressure fizzled a bit. Fleetwood could not find that final connection to trouble or beat Greyshock. So despite Fleetwood’s superior movement,  the WPIAL’s third-place seed was able to fend off the challenges.

“They were really stingy in the back and they were dedicated,” veteran Fleetwood head coach Keith Schlegel said of Deer Lake’s back line. “It was one of those things where we just had to keep on going. The first part of the second half turned into more of a direct kick, direct kick for them and we couldn’t get any rhythm going for a good portion of it. … We don’t want to be in that. We want more flow.”

Schlegel also broke through, in a way, with Saturday’s result.

“I’m Fleetwood through and through,” he said. “I bleed it and I was part of it as a player and now as the coach, I’m humbled.” 

Fleetwood was hampered by the injury loss of senior center mid star Abraham Jalloh, who tweaked an ankle in the state semifinal. Jalloh tried gamely to give it a go, but had to retire to sidelines for good early in the second half. Without Jalloh and his distribution skills in the lineup, those snarling Tigers were at times reduced to hopeful wimperers. 

“I tried to pull through but it did not not work out,” Jalloh said. “I’m glad that my teammates pulled through. I’m grateful to my teammates to pull through and to fight and to give it everything they had today. I was a little emotional that I couldn’t stay in there and help and fight with my teammates and for my community, but I’m glad they won this for us. I’m super happy.”

However, at the other end, Deer Lakes could not string together any sustained attack. The Lancers looked most threatening off set pieces, with specialist Nick Caro delivering a heavy and accurate ball each time.

After having lunch handed to them during the first 40 minutes but escaping it without conceding, Deer Lakes looked the more dangerous side down the stretch, compiling six corners after the break to Fleetwood’s two.

But the Tigers were able to keep things relatively clean in front of goalie Sam Schappell to quell the threats and move the contest to overtime.

PIAA 2A championship

at Hersheypark Stadium

Fleetwood 1, Deer Lakes 0 (OT)

First overtime

F – Aiden Negron (Haydyn Zagorski), 89:46

Shots on target

F 6, DL 5

Corners

F 6, DL 7

Saves

F (Sam Schappell) 5, DL (Jesse Greyshock) 5

HERSHEY — Soccer is a cruel game, Strath Haven boys coach Ryan O’Neill was saying Friday night. He could’ve interchanged any number of modifiers into that sentence an evening later and had it ring painfully true for Radnor.

It can be heartbreaking or devastating or utterly baffling, as Radnor felt at HersheyPark Stadium, after Wilson’s Victor Vottero scored a maybe-but-maybe-not goal with 17 seconds left to decide their PIAA Class 4A final.

That contest also was something else that Radnor was unlikely to appreciate in its haze of disappointment: Thrilling.

The Radnor-Wilson game was the perfect capstone for the weekend in Hershey. Four of the eight finals required overtime. A fifth, Villa Joseph Marie’s Class 3A girls triumph, was decided in the final 10 minutes of regulation. And then there was Radnor’s controversial classic.

Radnor’s Jackson Birtwistle dribbles upfield while Wilson’s Ethan Stitzel sticks with him Saturday during the PIAA Class 4A title game. (Bill Rudick/For Digital First Media)

Not since 2013 (two of six finals) have multiple OT contests been required in the same year. Before that, 2007 was the last multiple-overtime championship weekend, and before that, 2000, in the ill-conceived era of co-champions.

The explosion in classifications skews the numbers, but more championships seem to breed more parity. The other factor exerting its gravity on the weekend’s competition was unseen and more consequential: The Developmental Academies.

The best players in Pennsylvania, flatly, don’t play scholastic soccer, particularly in the central and eastern parts of the states. Beyond the Philadelphia Union Academy, which only accepts boys players in the high school ages, organizations like PA Classics (boys and girls), Continental (formerly FC Delco, which is DA for boys only) and Penn Fusion (girls only) are siphoning many of the best players to DA competition, a schedule which posits high school games as merely lost practice time.

The pro-and-con list is the subject of fierce debate (and millions of dollars in fees sloshing through the system) that this space could hardly do justice to. As it pertains to high school soccer, it means that Pennsylvanians with the best chance of playing professionally will rarely get there via Hershey. The loss of high school’s team aspect is, in theory, aimed at building more complete players via the more intensive and consistent academy tutelage.

But it also means that the state championships are less a playground for the old guard of talent pipelines and instead open to more first-time participants. And if this weekend was any indication, it’s created immensely entertaining finals.

Four of the eight champs didn’t win their district tournaments. In nine states games featuring teams from the same district, the higher-seeded team won just five times. The game’s inherently slim margins foster the balance, no doubt, but it’s still remarkable.

The cast of 16 finalists featured some customary powers. Villa Joseph Marie won its 11th title. Strath Haven played in its seventh final, albeit its first in 17 years. Fleetwood won its third title, though the first since 2000. Nine programs were making their finals debuts; five of the eight champs toted home the gold trophy for the first time. (Villa Joe, for what it’s worth, was the only non-boundary finalist.)

Then there’s Bedford, representing District 5, which comprises the strip of land between Chambersburg and the Pittsburgh suburbs along the Maryland line, 22 schools in total in Fulton, Somerset and Bedford counties. That district had only won three titles in teams sports since 1990 – Meyersdale baseball in 2017, Fannett Metal softball in 2012 and McConellsburg girls soccer in Class A in 1991.

That it’s a different caliber of players and a rotating population of programs in Hershey doesn’t diminish the on-field stakes. You could see it in the jubilation of Averie Doughty, who capped a historic week with the clinching overtime goal to lead Souderton over rival Pennridge (after she had scored the equalizer, and overtime game-winner in the semifinals and hit a clutch penalty kick in the quarterfinal shootout). You could see it in the haunted face of Josh Savadove, who believed he had done enough to swipe Vottero’s shot off the line in the final minute. It was evident in how former Radnor coach Sam Holt described how many of his players from the 1980 team, which lost to Fleetwood in the state final, fired emails to each other about plans to watch the final, in person or in digital commiseration.

“It’s special to me too because there’s so much criticism directed toward high school soccer with the academies, and I don’t think there’s a more joyous moment playing soccer than going to a state championship,” Mike Barr, who won five state titles at Strath Haven and is the coach of Kennett, told me last week. “… We’ll forget who won state championships, but those kids will always remember and it’ll tie them into the future together. It’s quite a moment.”

The days of major college scouts making the PIAA championships a recruiting priority might be over. But schools have adapted. And those that have are granted a clearer path to a state-championship journey, an unforgettable – or at times, unforgettably cruel – ride.

PLYMOUTH >> Sunday was a day for new perspectives.

For some, it was finding common ground while joining forces with longtime opponents. For others, it was getting a dose of the real world. And others still, seeing and passing the finish line of their high school careers – not just the players, either.

That was all on display from the representatives of the Pioneer Athletic Conference and the rest of the region at the Southeastern Pa. Soccer Coaches Association Senior All-Star Classic at the Proving Grounds in Conshohocken Sunday.

The annual Thanksgiving-weekend event staged All-Star games between leagues throughout southeast Pa. In PAC results, the PAC All-Star girls fell to the Suburban One League Continental All-Stars 3-1 while the PAC All-Star boys drew 2-2 with the Philadelphia Catholic League/Suburban One League American All-Stars in the afternoon. Owen J. Roberts’ Sam Smith set up both PAC goals, the first for Upper Merion’s Trevor Looby and the other for Methacton’s TJ Taylor.

Seniors from the Pioneer Athletic Conference participated in the Southeastern Pa. Soccer Coaches Association Senior All-Star Classic at the Proving Grounds in Conshohocken on Nov. 25. (Courtesy Tommy Meehan – tommymeehan.com)

Seniors from the Pioneer Athletic Conference participated in the Southeastern Pa. Soccer Coaches Association Senior All-Star Classic at the Proving Grounds in Conshohocken on Nov. 25. (Courtesy Tommy Meehan – tommymeehan.com)

Work hard, play hard >> Phoenixville senior Morgan Wineburg scored the PAC girls’ lone goal as part of a busier day than most of her fellow participants.

Wineburg, twin sister Madison and fellow Phoenixville senior Leeza Galli served as event organizers, handling communications and administrative tasks as part of their senior projects in conjunction with the Southeastern Pa. Soccer Coaches Association and president Tim Raub, who recently stepped away as Phoenixville girls’ head coach.

“We really wanted to do something soccer-related (for our senior projects),” said Morgan Wineburg, who is set to continue her soccer career at Wilson College in Chambersburg. “We’ve loved soccer since we were really little. The idea of helping to show the senior All-Stars off to their friends, family and everyone was a good opportunity to incorporate everything into one.

“I definitely feel like I got more professional. Sending out emails and handling the communication, it helped with college next year and knowing how to deal with people professionally.”

The PAC’s Josh Fonder (Owen J. Roberts) plays a long ball forward. (Austin Hertzog – Digital First Media)

End of an era >> While the players at the SPSCA All-Star Classic were putting bows on four-year high school careers, Bob McCabe had a few years on them. Sunday marked the end of McCabe’s 25 years as coach at Perkiomen Valley, the last 22 as head coach.

His son, PV senior Matt McCabe, was capping his own high school career simultaneously, the younger McCabe being thankful for the chance to change the final note of his scholastic career from a penalty kick miss in the Vikings’ season-ending loss in the first round of the District 1 playoffs.

“I didn’t want that to be the last thing I did,” said Matt McCabe, who will play next fall at Arcadia.

Finding a happier punctuation mark after the ‘free and fun’ contest was more fitting after the high notes of the past two falls that included becoming the first large-school PAC team to qualify for the PIAA Championships in 2017 and a PAC championship in 2018.

“It ended the way we envisioned it ending. You always plan for how you’d like things to do, but that’s never a given,” Bob McCabe said. “Last year’s run to states came out of nowhere and was one of the things on my coaching bucket list. That was a dream season and then this year, these guys had never beaten Spring-Ford since they were freshmen so the goal was to beat them once. It just so happened it was in the final. For me, that was how I wanted to go out.”

PAC goalkeeper John Wagner (PJP) comes out to collect the ball. (Austin Hertzog – Digital First Media)

Full circle >> Sunday’s perspective was more of a renewed one for Spring-Ford’s Ray Fortebuono. The Rams’ goalkeeper was between the posts at the Proving Grounds, a spot he was very familiar with while playing at the Developmental Academy-level with Continental FC, which calls the Proving Grounds home.

Fortebuono opted to join Spring-Ford as a senior and helped the team qualify for the PIAA Championships for the first time and go 18-4-3.

“I used to train here everyday for like eight years,” Fortebuono said. “It was a lot different (playing high school), especially with the high school games and the big crowds and the kids. The cheering and the craziness, all of that doesn’t happen in the academy (level). It was a lot of fun, more fun than in my previous academy years, and it was topped off with a really good team that made states for the first time.”

The All-Star game also featured many college coaches scouting uncommitted players, a category Fortebuono is included.

“It was a lot of fun having us together as a community, as well as getting to see some of the talent in the other leagues and having the college coaches watching us play,” he said.

The PAC’s Trevor Looby is congratulated after scoring a goal during the SPSCA All-Star Classic. (Austin Hertzog – DFM)

The Sunday finale was a high note for Upper Merion’s Looby, a multi-year All-PAC first team selection who is headed to West Chester, after making the most of a 4-14 season for the Vikings.

The PAC’s Steven Schaefer (Phoenixville) and Catholic League/SOL American’s Colin Asper (Upper Dublin) compete for a header. (Austin Hertzog – Digital First Media)

“This was really fun. It was good playing with the guys and meeting new people,” Looby said. “High school season was fun, and to be around the top players in our league was a really good experience.”

The Phantoms’ Madison Wineburg may have summed up the All-Star experience best.

“It was a lot of fun because we got to play with people I hate playing against during the season because they just frustrate you on the field,” she said. “So it was fun getting to play with them and experience how they play with you on the field. And since we got to play with many of them growing up, it was fun having everyone together for the last time and playing all together.”

PAC participants >> The PAC girls team included Owen J. Roberts’ Kylee MacLeod, Kenzie Milne, Mia Baumgarten, Bailey Hunt, Simone Karustis, Gretchen Harken; Boyertown’s Cassidy Landis; Phoenixville’s Gabrielle Perrotto, Galli and the Wineburg sisters; Methacton’s Kendall Ozorowski and Liz Greene; Upper Meroin’s Kaleigh Myers, Ananiya Jones, Colleen O’Brien; Perkiomen Valley’s Taylor Reiff, Ali Devers, Sydney Marasco, Kate Liotta; Spring-Ford’s Claire Sites, Jill Quigley. The team was coached by Phoenixville’s Raub and Methacton’s Bret Smith.

The PAC boys team included Owen J. Roberts’ Josh Fonder, Beckett Houck, Sam Coroniti and Smith; Methacton’s Logan Rambo, Trevor Rambo and TJ Taylor; Perkiomen Valley’s Max Chamorro and Matt McCabe; Boyertown’s Colin Brisbois; Spring-Ford’s Fortebuono and Aiden Hudon; Pope John Paul II’s John Wagner, Salvatore Marano, Brett Leighton; Phoenixville’s JT Stevens and Steven Schaefer; Upper Perkiomen’s Ian Costanzo and Upper Merion’s Trevor Looby. The team was coached by McCabe and Owen J. Roberts’ Eric Wentzel.

The PAC’s TJ Taylor (Methacton) tries to control the ball under pressure from a PCL/SOL American All-Star. (Austin Hertzog – Digital First Media)

It’s a testament to the depth in the Central League this season that the two teams to make PIAA finals had just one representative each on the All-Central first team.

Strath Haven’s Nate Perrins and Radnor’s Bobby Kirsch were the honorees for the finalists in the Class 3A and 4A finals, respectively. Perrins was the league’s runner-up MVP, winning a tiebreaker with Conestoga goalkeeper Luke Smith.

Harriton’s Alex Kades was named the league MVP, while the Rams’ Biff Sturla earned coach of the year recognition. The Rams and Conestoga each garnered three first-team nods each, and Lower Merion added two.

Joining that contingent on the first team was Haverford’s Will Gardner and Penncrest’s Max Brown. Below is the full list of All-Central honorees.

Note: All-Central teams are selected by league coaches. The Daily Times and papreplive.com has no influence in the process.

League MVP: Alex Kades, Harriton

Runner-Up MVP:  Nate Perrins, Strath Haven and Luke Smith, Conestoga

Coach of the Year: Biff Sturla, Harriton

First Team

Jason Ivey, Conestoga
Matt Rossi, Conestoga
Luke Smith, Conestoga
Nate Xu, Conestoga
Mikkel Andersen, Harriton
Alex Kades, Harriton
Evan Tracy, Harriton
Will Gardner, Haverford
Harrison Bloch, Lower Merion
Isaac Brainsky, Lower Merion
Max Brown, Penncrest
Bobby Kirsch, Radnor
Nate Perrins, Strath Haven

Second Team

Jack Murphy, Conestoga
Jared Scheffler, Garnet Valley
Zach Signorello, Haverford
Aidan Tripler, Haverford
Ethan Blouin, Lower Merion
Theo Carmichael, Marple Newtown
Henry Cooke, Radnor
Ben Engstrom, Radnor
Evan Majercak, Radnor
Keah Tobey, Ridley
Andrew Lowman, Strath Haven
Alex Cueva, Upper Darby

Honorable Mention

Conestoga: Ryan Davis, Jake Silverstein
Garnet Valley: Aidan Robinson
Harriton: Filip Barun, Robert Fleming, Justin Nachman
Haverford: Cam Morse, Duncan Reigler
Lower Merion: Shane Brown, Wyatt Joseph, Cole Sanchez, Andrew Weitz
Marple Newtown: Daniel O’Brien
Penncrest: Ethan Emery, Brian MacCurtin, Stephen Woolery
Radnor: David Azzarano, Nate Congleton
Ridley: Adam Louriki, Zach Ritz, Mease Tobey
Springfield: Steven East, Colin Gallagher, Chris Walters, Billy Watson
Strath Haven: Gavin Birch, Nick Palermo, Emmet Young
Upper Darby: Majid Kawa, Phil Nmah

Ben Verbofsky

The senior defender was the Raiders’ Most Valuable Player, and his stellar defense throughout the PIAA 4A state tournament was key to Radnor holding opponents to one goal in a stretch of 292 minutes in the tourney, all the way to the final seconds of the championship final. The versatile Verbofsky received second team All-Main Line soccer honors last fall, playing center back, center mid and forward. Off the pitch, he is a member of the Radnor Fishing Club.

Q: As a senior, how did you see your leadership role on the team this fall, particularly in fostering communication among the defense? Can you share with us an example in the 2018 PIAA state tourney where this communication paid off?

A: Having played for four years, I’ve learned that the best way to communicate is in quick commands, like “Evan, right shoulder.” The back line was always communicating, using those quick commands. It especially helped when the other team played a ball over top; communicating about who’s going to chase and clear, and who’s going to cover. During the game against State College, the player on my side made a run across the back line. I talked to my center back closest to me, “Man coming”. He immediately picked him up and covered his run. It was really cool to see our communication pay off so well. 

Q: What is your sharpest memory of the PIAA state tourney this fall?

A: The whole post season kind of flew by, but I remember the end of the first game in States. With a lead and under five minutes to go, the pressure is very heavy on the defense. I remember just a ton of balls down our throat. We did a good job marking runs and clearing balls.

Q: Tell us a little about your start in soccer, and what sparked your inaugural interest in the sport. What position(s) did you originally play? Do you have a favorite position (and if so, why)?

A: I started playing soccer around age 5-6 with house soccer. I think I liked it just because I got to run around so much. I started off playing striker but ever since I made the switch to defense I’ve enjoyed that much more. Outside back is my favorite position because there’s a lot of 1v1 defense and I like the challenge.

Q: What do you think is the strongest aspect of your game? What part of your game are you working on the most currently?

A: I think the strongest aspect of my game is the ability to read the game. Knowing where different runs will go or where the ball is going makes the game easier. I am currently working on getting more involved on offense. Having an extra attacker on offense makes a team much more dangerous.

Q: Tell us a little about your pre-game preparation the day of a game.

A: The day of a game usually starts out with a team stretch followed by a team breakfast at Minella’s. This gets us ready by fueling up with a good meal and getting our bodies prepared for the game. After this, I go home and hydrate while watching soccer or just hanging out. I try not to get too focused on the game because I don’t want to over complicate the game.

Q: Who have been your biggest soccer mentors, and what was the most important thing you learned from each of them?

A: Rodrigo Nogales was my coach for most of my travel soccer seasons, at around ages 11-15. He was a great coach and a great player. He focused on technical aspects of soccer and being a well-rounded player. I learned a lot about the game from him, specifically reading the game, which is very important and hard to teach. Andrew Brady was my coach while I played for FC Philly. He taught me detailed parts of the game, like body position while receiving the ball. He also taught me how important passing is in the game of soccer. All my high school coaches, including Taylor Sims, Joe Gangl, Tim McGrawth, Andrew Cirino, Kyle Shilcock-Elliott, and Joe Caurolo taught me the different strategies and formations. Also, they taught me the physical aspect of soccer is important, like strength and endurance.

Q: Who is your favorite soccer player, and why?

A: My favorite player is Marcelo. He’s a great leader and a world class defender. 

Q: You wear uniform jersey No. 10 for Radnor. Why did you pick this number – does it have any special significance to you?

A: 10 is my lucky number. It’s just a number I like.

Fun facts – Ben Verbofsky

Favorite book: Fight Club.

Favorite TV show: Big Mouth.

Favorite movie: The Breakfast Club.

Favorite athlete: TJ McConnell.

Favorite pre-game pump-up song: Don’t Stop Me Now, by Queen.

Favorite team: Philadelphia Eagles.

Favorite pre-game meal: Açaí Bowl.

Family members: parents Howard and Cindy, brother David, sister Sarah.

(To be selected as Main Line Boys Athlete of the Week, a student-athlete must first be nominated by his coach).

The Pa. Soccer Coaches Association and NSCAA released their All-State and All-America teams on Nov. 27 and 28.

Roman Catholic senior forward Jared Dillon was named PSCA Player of the Year and was joined on the NSCAA All-America team by Abington senior Sean Touey. 

Central Bucks West goalie Dylan Smith.

Others named to the NSCAA All-Region team were Harriton’s Alex Kades, Holy Ghost Prep’s Nikosi Graham and Central Bucks West goalkeeper Dylan Smith.

Representing southeast Pa. on the All-State team were honorees:

Bicentennial Athletic League: Holy Ghost Prep senior forward Nkosi Graham, The Christian Academy junior forward Jesse Brittain

Central League: Harriton senior forward Alex Kades, Strath Haven senior forward Nate Perrins 

Chest-Mont League: Unionville junior midfielder Michael Hewes, Henderson senior midfielder Sam Martin

Friends School League: Germantown Friends senior defender Jacob Sternberg-Sher, Shipley School senior midfielder Johnny Lenart

Pioneer Athletic Conference: Spring-Ford junior forward Colin Trainor; Pottsgrove junior forward Ethan Pace

Philadelphia Catholic League: Roman Catholic senior forward Jared Dillon, Archbishop Wood senior forward Dakota Taylor

Suburban One League: Abington senior forward Sean Touey, Council Rock North senior defender Zach Saifer, Central Bucks West senior goalkeeper Dylan Smith

2018 MALE STATE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

2018 NSCAA REGION II 
MALE ALL AMERICA TEAM

2018 NSCAA ALL REGION II (EAST) MALE TEAM

PSCA ALL-STATE TEAM

PAC Citizen Award

All-Academic Teams

The end of the PIAA Class 4A boys soccer final between Radnor and Wilson featured a historic dose of controversy. It may have been just the beginning, though.

Wilson fielded an overage player on its state-title winning team, the school district’s superintendent shared in an announcement Thursday, and the school and PIAA are investigating.

“On Tuesday, we discovered a discrepancy between records regarding the age of a student athlete on our Varsity Boys Soccer team,” Wilson superintendent Dr. Richard H. Faidley wrote. “Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) rules clearly prohibit a student athlete from participating if they have reached 19 years of age before July 1 of the immediately preceding school year. Upon further review, we found that the student and his guardian failed to disclose his correct date of birth on several required documents, including the PIAA Comprehensive Initial Pre-Participation Physical Evaluation. The District’s internal inquiry, assisted by its solicitor, revealed that the student knowingly entered an incorrect date of birth, and his actual date of birth renders him ineligible to participate in interscholastic activities.

“The Wilson School District recognizes that we have an obligation to report the infraction to the PIAA. We are also taking corrective actions to ensure against a recurrence. Once the PIAA has reviewed our situation, we will provide an update to our community.”

Faidley contacted Radnor’s administration about the issue as part of the disclosure process.

Per the PIAA’s By-Laws’ “Maximum Age Rule,” “A student shall be ineligible for interscholastic athletic competition upon attaining the age of nineteen years, with the following exception: If the age of 19 is attained on or after July 1, the student is eligible, age-wise, to compete through that school year.” Waivers can be sought on a per-sport basis but require certain conditions and procedures that apparently were not followed in this instance.

The final’s ending at HersheyPark Stadium was controversial enough. Wilson’s Victor Vottero won the game with 17 seconds left, his shot judged to have fully crossed the goal line in the eyes of a trailing ref before being swept away by Radnor defender Josh Savadove. The goal stood, the only marker in a 1-0 decision for Wilson.

The use of an overage player can force Wilson’s forfeiture, but it is unlikely to afford the trophy to Radnor. The PIAA’s By-Laws, Article XIII, Section 3D, governing “Penalties” states that, “If a Team required to forfeit a Postseason Contest has won a Contest … following the final Inter-District Championship Contest, the championship in that sport will remain vacant for that year.”

Wilson’s home district, District 3, and the PIAA main office in Mechanicsburg will handle the investigation, per two sources with knowledge of the process. Only then would District 1 or Radnor be involved.

In addition to Player of the Year Nate Perrins of Strath Haven, the All-Delco team includes:

Trevor Manion, Episcopal Academy: The junior goalkeeper owned the job, emerging to help the Churchmen start the season on a 16-game unbeaten streak en route to 13 wins. Manion averaged one goal allowed per game, keeping six shutouts, including four in 10 Inter-Ac outings for runner-up EA. He made eight saves in a blanking of Lawrenceville, then stopped eight to beat Penn Charter. He impressed with seven saves in a 2-1 win over Haverford School in the teams’ first meeting and added a seven-save clean sheet against Springside Chestnut Hill.

Episcopal Academy goalie Trevor Manion makes a save in a game against Haverford School this season. Manion kept six shutouts and allowed just 20 goals all season for the Churchmen. (Pete Bannan/Digital First Media)

Evan Majercak, Radnor: Paired with Bennett Mueller, the senior center back forged a sturdy pairing in the middle of the field that powered the Raiders to the PIAA Class 4A final. Along the way, the Raiders kept 12 clean sheets and allowed 19 goals in 26 games while deploying rotating goalkeepers in a 20-win campaign. In eight postseason games, the Raiders posted three clean sheets and allowed just seven goals (six-and-a-half, depending on how you regard the Wilson goal that just barely squeaked over the line with 17 seconds left in the state final). Majercak added a goal and an assist, setting up fellow All-Delco Eliot Hayes in the regular-season finale.

Jared Scheffler, Garnet Valley: The senior center back found a way to make his presence felt on both ends of the pitch for the Jaguars, putting out fires at the back and using his long strides to bound into the attack. He scored a goal and an assist in a 3-2 win over Springfield, tallied the game-winner in overtime against Marple Newtown and produced a wonder strike from outside the box on a mazy run from central defense in a victory over Penncrest.

READ: The full list of All-Delco Boys Soccer honorees

Griffin Wada, Haverford School: The senior midfielder led the Fords to the Inter-Ac title, earning league MVP and all-state honors along the way. Wada did it all for the Fords. He was an attacking asset with six goals and three assists. He asserted control over the middle of the pitch, helping the Fords to 13 wins and national recognition against one of the toughest schedules in the area. The Fords’ defense kept seven shutouts in 19 games and outscored opponents 44-15. Wada scored in the first meeting with Episcopal and added a goal in a PAISAA quarterfinal setback in PKs to Kiski School. Wada’s career will continue at the University of Chicago.

Radnor midfielder Eliot Hayes, right, fending off Spring-Ford’s Sal Ibarra in a postseason game, was one of the Raiders’ top performers in a run to the PIAA Class 4A final. (Thomas Nash – Digital First Media)

Eliot Hayes, Radnor: The 6-4 central midfielder saved his biggest contributions for last, consistently one of the steadiest players on the Raiders’ run to the PIAA Class 4A final. Hayes formed a formidable spine to the team with Mueller and Majercak, his aerial presence key to the Raiders’ 20-win campaign. Hayes provided five goals and five assists, a large share of them in the postseason. He scored in the regular-season finale against Wissahickon and set up Ben Engstrom’s goal in the district-opening vicotry over Henderson. Hayes scored twice, including the game-winner in the 76th minute, to complete a two-goal comeback and oust Cumberland Valley in the states opener, and he set up Ben Engstrom’s goal in the state semifinal triumph over Seneca Valley.

Harrison Malone, Episcopal Academy: The senior midfielder orchestrated the Churchmen’s offense on the way to 13 wins and a runner-up finish in the Inter-Ac. Malone finished with five goals and 11 assists for the season. He dished three assists in a win over Peddie School, added two assists vs. Parkwood (N.C.) and a goal and two helpers against Shipley. His goal and assist in the second half against Penn Charter powered a come-from-behind win, while he also scored the game-winning goal against Springside Chestnut Hill. The two-time All-Delco selection and first-team All-Inter-Ac pick is weighing his college options.

Andrew Markopoulos, Bonner & Prendergast: The Friars required Markopoulos to play in central defense this season, and he obliged. Markopoulos also scored three goals to go with two assists. He netted the only goal in a win over Archbishop Ryan and also found the net in victories over Conwell-Egan and Bishop McDevitt, the last in overtime in the season finale to earn the Friars the 10th and final berth to the league playoffs. The All-Catholic first-teamer will continue his career at West Chester.

Episcopal Academy’s Sam Wilson heads the ball away from Haverford School’s Mitchell Hark. Wilson scored twice against the Fords that day, part of a 21-goal season for the forward. (Pete Bannan/Digital First Media)

Will Gardner, Haverford: With the Fords missing two key seniors pieces (Alex Reardon and All-Delco Cam Morse) for most of the season due to injuries, Gardner’s steadfast play propped the Fords up and led them to the District 1 Class 4A playoffs. Gardner led the team with nine goals and added four assists. He tallied game-winning goals in overtime against Strath Haven and Ridley as the Fords won 11 games and earned the 20th seed in the District 1 field. Gardner earned first-team All-Central recognition.

Sam Wilson, Episcopal Academy: The senior forward was one of the Inter-Ac’s premier hitmen, burying 21 goals for the Churchmen and earning first-team all-league honors. He had six multiple-goal games, including hat tricks against Shipley and Hill School. Eight of his goals came in league play, helping the Churchmen finish second in the standings. He hit Haverford School for two markers to decide their first collision and added a brace against Malvern Prep. Wilson has signed a letter of intent to play at Colby College.

Romario Sterling, Penn Wood: The Del Val League MVP paced the Patriots to the league title, earning top league honors from Del Val coaches. He garnered that title via 21 goals and 22 assists, remarkable production even for the wide-open nature of the Del Val. Sterling bagged four goals in a win over Glen Mills and hat tricks over Bonner & Prendergast and Strath Haven as well as a goal and two assists to get by Interboro late in the season. The Patriots made another appearance in the District 1 Class 4A tournament, losing to eventual states qualifier Unionville in the opening round.

Will Micheletti, Haverford School: The senior forward was the goal-scoring engine that made the Fords go all the way to an Inter-Ac title. An all-league pick, he scored 12 goals to go with 11 assists. Micheletti had a goal and an assist in a crucial league win over Malvern Prep, the only marker in a draw with Penn Charter and capped the season with a rivalry-day brace against Episcopal Academy to clinch the title. Micheletti will play next year at Franklin & Marshall.

NETHER PROVIDENCE — Fifth-grade Nate Perrins didn’t fully appreciate the message or who was delivering it. Only in time would it fully sink in.

Perrins hoped his group of friends on the Nether United U-11s to U-13s teams would grow together, someday comprising the nucleus of Strath Haven’s storied high school program. As for the coach, well, at that point, he was little more than a teammate’s father; he was Larsen’s dad, and his wisdom sunk in.

“They really instilled it in us when we were younger to always play together,” Perrins said this week. “And they knew we were going to go to high school together.”

In retrospect, the source of that tutelage would grow more poignant. Larsen’s dad was John Hackworth, who at that point had been the manager of the Philadelphia Union, had coached the U.S. Under-17 squad and been an assistant for the senior national team, who stayed in Philly after the Union let him go in 2014. Larsen, a senior at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., and a UNC-Asheville commit, grew up a close friend of Perrins and many members of the nucleus of the 2018 Panthers squad.

Strath Haven’s Nate Perrins celebrates after scoring the game-winning goal in overtime of the Panthers’ 3-2 win over Holy Ghost Prep’s in the District 1 Class 3A boys soccer final at Upper Merion High School. (Mike Reeves/For Digital First Media)

Even when the Hackworths moved on from the school district — Hackworth is the coach of USL champion Louisville City FC; all three of his sons attended Strath Haven at some point, though not all played varsity — the lessons Perrins learned from John have endured.

“I may have taken it for granted because I didn’t know what it meant at that time,” Perrins said. “But now I’m really appreciative of that, and he taught me a lot of things. I wouldn’t be the player that I am today without him.”

The trip to the past indelibly resonates to the present for Perrins and his Panthers. The team made a historic run through the 2018 season, winning the District 1 Class 3A final and reaching the PIAA final, the program’s seventh state final and first since 2001. The primary driver for that success was a collective toughness that made the Panthers a nearly impossible postseason out. That cohesion traces to players’ youth days, under the guidance of Hackworth and others.

“This team has a lot of resilience,” Perrins said. “We’ll always keep fighting, and I think that showed. … It proves that we will never put our head down and just keep fighting.”

It also helped that they had Perrins, who scored 28 goals to go with 10 assists in a prolific season. That’s why Perrins is the 2018 Daily Times Boys Soccer Player of the Year.

Joining him on the first team are the Episcopal Academy trio of Trevor Manion, Harrison Malone and Sam Wilson; the Haverford School duo of Griffin Wada and Will Micheletti; Radnor stalwarts Evan Majercak and Eliot Hayes; Garnet Valley defender Jared Scheffler; Bonner & Prendergast midfielder/defender Andrew Markopoulos; Haverford midfielder Will Gardner and Penn Wood forward Romario Sterling.

Malone and Perrins are each making their second appearances. Seniors hauled down 11 spots, with the junior Manion the only underclassman. The All-Delco team is selected in consultation with area coaches.

• • •

The Panthers approached the postseason looking like anything but a budding state finalist.

READ: Radnor’s Hayes, Majercak headline senior-heavy All-Delco boys soccer team

Strath Haven’s Nate Perrins is the 2018 Daily Times Boys Soccer Player of the Year. (Pete Bannan/Digital First Media)

Forget that they tied with Haverford for fifth in the Central League. Knowing they were locked into the second seed in the District 1 Class 3A tournament, they entered the finale against Penn Wood with little to play for … and promptly got smacked, 6-2, by a Patriots team needing a win to sneak into the District 1 4A field. Add in an early injury and coach Ryan O’Neill felt it best to throttle back and rest his regulars.

The result wasn’t indicative of his team, Perrins knew. But saying that and internalizing that message across 20-plus players are two different pursuits, which is where the resilience reserves clicked in.

The response to that message was instantaneous in the postseason. Perrins scored in a 4-1 win over Upper Moreland. He tallied five goals — including a four-minute natural hat trick — to blitz undermanned Upper Perkiomen, 10-1. That statement win permanently banished the travails of an uneven regular season.

“After the 10-1 win, I knew that we could do what we did,” Perrins said. “I knew this team had fight, and we never stopped fighting. That’s the one thing that really made me proud this year.”

Perrins didn’t stop, either, accentuating his flair for the dramatic. He scored twice, including the overtime game-winner, to beat top-seeded Holy Ghost Prep in the district final despite the Panthers twice coughing up leads.

In the state tournament opener against Mechanicsburg, the Panthers trailed into the 74th minute. Then Perrins knotted the game at one and side-volleyed home the OT clincher. He pumped home the first two goals in a 5-1 thrashing of District 4 champ Athens, which had only conceded five goals all season, and supplied the game-winner in the semifinal triumph over Archbishop Wood, in which Haven trailed 2-0.

“I think showing them how good we could be really brought us in together and it brought us together as a team,” Perrins said. “Seeing how we can compete with a Lower Merion kind of brought everyone together, seeing that we really could make a run this year.”

READ: The full list of All-Delco Boys Soccer honorees

Adversity is baked into Perrins’ soccer journey. He tore ligaments in his knee early in his sophomore campaign, costing him nearly a year on the sidelines. He still sported a heavy knee brace that he only began to shed late this season, two years post-surgery.

Perrins, who committed to Catholic University during the postseason, knew how that adversity informed his hunger. The core of the team felt it as well.

“I do think to a degree it did play into that,” he said. “They know this is my No. 1 sport and I’d do anything for them, and they’d do anything for me now.”

Surmounting such obstacles eased Perrins’ ability to contend with the trifles of a season. Like the Panthers allowing 10 goals in consecutive losses to Conestoga and Radnor. Or when hulking center back Ben Wainfan left a game with Central League runner-up Lower Merion and Perrins dropped into central defense to preserve a 2-1 win.

The reward for his perseverance was a special season where Haven scored in every game but one and Perrins tallied 14 goals in seven playoff contests. That the ending, a 4-0 loss to West Allegheny, didn’t follow the script, seems more like a footnote than a defining conclusion.

“It meant the world, man,” Perrins said. “Obviously we lost in the state championship, but it didn’t take away from what we accomplished during the year. A district title is nothing to look down upon. It’ll always be in the high school on a banner. We’ll always have our names in the gym.”

First Team

Trevor Manion, Jr. GK, Episcopal Academy

Evan Majercak, Sr. D, Radnor

Jared Scheffler, Sr. D., Garnet Valley

Andrew Markopoulos, Sr. M/D, Bonner & Prendergast

Griffin Wada, Sr. M, Haverford School

Eliot Hayes, Sr. M, Radnor

Harrison Malone, Sr. M, Episcopal Academy

Will Gardner, Sr. M, Haverford

Sam Wilson, Sr. F, Episcopal Academy

Nate Perrins, Sr. F, Strath Haven

Romario Sterling, Sr. F, Penn Wood

Will Micheletti, Sr. F, Haverford School

READ: With resilient mates, Strath Haven’s Perrins pens peerless season

Second Team

Henry Cooke, Sr. G, Radnor

Zach Signorello, Sr. D, Haverford

Mitchell Hark, Jr. D, Haverford School

Bennett Mueller, Sr. D, Radnor

Ben Verbofsky, Sr. D, Radnor

Max Brown, Sr. M, Penncrest

Aidan Tripler, Jr. M, Haverford

Daniel Pitt, Sr. M, Academy Park

Nicky Palermo, Sr. M, Strath Haven

Nick Pippis, Sr. M, Haverford School

James Nmah, Jr. M/F, Penn Wood

Jesse Brittain, Jr. F, Christian Academy

READ: Radnor’s Hayes, Majercak headline senior-heavy All-Delco boys soccer team

Honorable Mention

Academy Park: Tahjay Swaby, Elijah Toby

Archbishop Carroll: Nick Frederick, Dom Massi

Bonner & Prendergast: Cillian Gilsenin, Nwabueze Onyemachi, Mike Perretta

Cardinal O’Hara: Jalen Hammond, Calvin Rolland, Luke Signora

Chichester: Cameron Flanagan, Logan Sullivan

Christian Academy: Caleb Chambers, Zac O’Brien, Grant Sareyka

Delco Christian: Josiah Bronkema, Cole Levis, Micah Metricardi, Henry Moon, Jason Woo

Garnet Valley: John Luke Buchy, Ethan Hensinger, Aidan Robinson

Glen Mills: Manuel Barajas, Jah’nique Hogan, Blake Humphrey

Episcopal Academy: Rowan Brumbaugh, Gabe Furey, Jack Pacera

Haverford: Cam Morse, Alex Reardon, Duncan Riegler

Haverford School: MJ Atkins, Will Boyes, Luke Macione

Interboro: John Ameyaw, Matt Hengey

Marple Newtown: Theo Carmichael, Daniel O’Brien

Penn Wood: Will Billy, John Kpankpa

Penncrest: Ethan Emery, Brian MacCurtin, Stephen Woolery

Radnor: David Azzarano, Jackson Birtwistle, Nate Congleton, Ben Engstrom, Bobby Hydrisko, Bobby Kirsch, Jake Lee, Josh Savadove

Ridley: Robbie Geddes, Adam Louricki, Zach Ritz, Keah Tobey

Springfield: Steven East, Colin Gallagher, Chris Walters, Billy Watson

Strath Haven: Gavin Birch, Andrew Lowman, Vincey Palermo, Ben Wainfan, Emmet Young

Sun Valley: Zach Montgomery, Jack Segool

Upper Darby: Alex Cueva, Majid Kawa, Lionel Kone, Phil Nmah, Sheikh Sirleaf

The following are the 2018 Ches-Mont League all-league teams, which are chosen by the league’s coaches and provided to Pa. Prep Live for publication. 

The Daily Local News will unveil its All-Area teams for the fall season beginning on Christmas Eve.

BOYS SOCCER

National Division

1st Team

Jackson Muller, Junior, Avon Grove

Driss Benslimane, Junior, WC East

Toby Diaz Fraga, Junior, Downingtown West

Cesar May, Senior, Downingtown East

Rye Jaran, Junior, Downingtown West

Ben Delaney, Senior, WC East

Cormac Dooley, Senior, WC East

Sam Martin, Senior, WC Henderson

Matthew Eaglehouse, Senior, Shanahan

Luke Lagalante, Junior, WC East

Dan Good, Senior, Downingtown East

2nd Team

Zach DeLone, Senior, Downingtown East

Kevin Kiefer, Junior, WC Henderson

Nate McCourt, Senior, Downingtown East

Connor Bailey, Junior, Shanahan

Gavin Domsohn, Senior, Shanahan

Luis Saravia, Senior, Coatesville

Casey Englehart, Senior, Downingtown West

Chris Comber, Junior, Downingtown East

Chris Roberts, Senior, WC Henderson

Brendan Merten, Senior, WC East

CJ Dixson, Senior, Avon Grove

Honorable Mention

Mike Batisti, Senior, Downingtown East

Jeff DeVoll, Junior, Avon Grove

Zane Domsohn, Freshman, Shanahan

Joao Argolo, Senior, WC Henderson

Luke Albergo, Junior, WC East

Evan Cunningham, Freshman, Shanahan

Jack Cotellesse, Senior, WC Henderson

Jack Forgione, Soph., Downingtown West

Ethan Robinson, Junior, Downingtown West

Wesley Bernardo, Senior, Coatesville

Owen VanDyke, Soph., WC East

American Division

First Team

Axel Ayllon, Senior, Kennett

Ian Baughman, Junior, Oxford

Alex Dolce, Junior, Unionville

Dean Fitzgerald, Senior, Great Valley

Michael Hewes, Junior, Unionville

Tommy Kelly, Senior, Unionville

Alex Lopez, Senior, Kennett

Gavin McGinnis, Junior, Sun Valley

Garrett Pinkston, Junior, Unionville

Matt Scoffone, Junior, WC Rustin

Philip Wellener, Senior, Great Valley

Second Team

Evan Antonacci, Senior, WC Rustin

Andrew Di Stefano, Junior, WC Rustin

Zoller Gray, Soph., Oxford

Callum Grealy, Senior, WC Rustin

Juan Guerrero, Senior, Kennett

Daniel Kunzig, Junior, Kennett

Zach Montgomery, Senior, Sun Valley

Luke Nall, Junior, Kennett

Sam Price, Senior, Unionville

Joey Shapiro, Junior, Sun Valley

David Siguenza, Junior, Great Valley

Matthew Wellener, Soph., Great Valley

Honorable Mention

Matt Adams, Senior , Unionville

Cameron Baughman, Senior, Oxford

Tyler Emig, Soph., WC Rustin

Alex Flores, Senior, Kennett

Tyler Koenig, Freshman, Sun Valley

Nathanial McKay, Junior, Great Valley

Luke Needs, Senior, Unionville

Nick Pfau, Senior, Great Valley

Jack Segool, Senior, Sun Valley

Peter Schwarz, Senior , Kennett

GIRLS SOCCER

National Division

First Team

Emily Buckner, D, Junior, Downingtown East

Fiona Burke, D, Senior, Shanahan

Kayla DeTreux, G, Senior, Downingtown West

Kate Gordon, F, Junior, WC Henderson

Leah Greene, D, Senior, Avon Grove

Lauren Hatt, M, Soph., Coatesville

Lauren Kretzing, M, Senior, Avon Grove

Caroline McDonald, F, Freshman, Downingtown East

Alaina McLaughlin, F, Junior, Shanahan

Aliza Trasatti, M, Senior, Downingtown East

Ally Waite, M, Senior, Shanahan

Second Team

Evy Bruggeman, M, Senior, Shanahan

Mary Byerley, D, Senior, Shanahan

Kasey Coonan, M, Senior, WC Henderson

Maren Dougherty, D, Junior, Downingtown East

Maddie Greco, M, Freshman, Downingtown West

Sarah Huston, F, Senior, Coatesville

Megan Kristman, G, Junior, Avon Grove

Livi Lawton, M, Senior, Downingtown East

Natalie Miller, F, Senior, WC Henderson

Jamie Perkins, F, Junior, Avon Grove

Emily Wurzel, D, Senior, Downingtown East

Honorable Mention

Ashley Buchheit, G, Junior, Downingtown East

Meg Buckner, D, Junior, Downingtown East

Riley Cantando, D, Junior, WC Henderson

Emily Feeney, F, Senior, Downingtown West

Annika Francke, M, Soph., Avon Grove

Jess Gorr, G, Senior, Shanahan

Maya Moktan, F, Senior, WC East

Julia Morrone, M, Junior, Downingtown West

Natalie Osiecki, D, Senior, Avon Grove

Trinity Soto, G, Senior, WC East

Caitlyn Wolfe, D, Senior, Coatesville

American Division

First Team

Sara Darlington, F, Soph., Unionville

Hannah Fiment, D, Junior, Unionville

Emma Grey, F, Junior, Great Valley

Sarah Merriwether, D, Senior, Great Valley

Ashley Chisholm, D, Senior, WC Rustin

Jackie Oldham, M, Junior, Sun Valley

Mary Deitch, M, Soph., Great Valley

Grace Piona, F, Junior, WC Rustin

Lauren Seaman, D, Senior, WC Rustin

Alex Wilson, M, Soph., Unionville

Hayden Wilson, M, Soph., Unionville

Second Team

Jordan Barish, D, Junior, Kennett

Julia Capperella, M, Junior, Unionville

Gabbi Hoffmann, D, Junior, WC Rustin

Jackie Hug, M, Junior, Unionville

Melanie Landry, M, Junior, Unionville

Meg March, F, Senior, WC Rustin

Erin O’Leary, D, Junior, Unionville

Chiara Robinson, F, Soph., Sun Valley

Ashley Sullivan, D, Soph., Great Valley

Hailey Weinert, F, Senior, Kennett

Veronica Yonce, F, Junior, Great Valley

Honorable Mention

Lyndsey Barrett, D, Junior, Unionville

Lauren Birchler, G, Junior, Great Valley

Riley Boyd, M, Junior, WC Rustin

Makayla Bucci, D, Senior, Unionville

Paige Harlan, F, Senior, Unionville

Kassidy Lambert, D, Junior, Sun Valley

Jenny Osinski, D, Senior, Great Valley

Shannon Purfield, D, Junior, Sun Valley

Maie Seelaus, M, Senior, WC Rustin

Amelia Winters, M, Junior, Oxford

Gillian Yonce, D, Freshman, Great Valley

FIELD HOCKEY

National Division

First Team

Drew Taylor, Junior, Coatesville

JJ Smyth, Senior, Downingtown West

Mackenzie Thompson, Senior, WC East

Caroline Webb, Senior, Downingtown East

Paige Wolfe, Junior, Downingtown East

Lauren Bradley, Junior, Shanahan

Elizabeth Eisenhardt, Senior, Avon Grove

Olivia Griffith, Senior, WC Henderson

Celina Riccardo, Senior, Downingtown West

Anna Miller, Senior, Downingtown West

Amber Bryan, Senior, Shanahan

2nd Team

Gianna Cugino, Soph., WC Henderson

Siena Urbanski, Senior, Downingtown East

Claudia Jaszczak, Senior, Downingtown West

Tori Morris, Senior, Shanahan

Cianna Riccardo, Junior, Downingtown West

Bella D’Alessandro, Soph., Shanahan

Nicole Fredricks, Senior, WC  East

Leah Dobson, Soph., Coatesville

Sophie Paraskewich, Senior, Avon Grove

Sophia Mangasarian, Junior, WC East

Ava Irwin, Junior, Downingtown East

Honorable Mention

Lila McCulley, Soph., Avon Grove

Madison Parke, Junior, Shanahan

Madison Short, Senior, Coatesville

Rachel Swink, Junior, Downingtown East

Tatum Johnson, Junior, Downingtown West

Lauren Franco, Soph., WC Henderson

Kelly Daly, Senior, WC East

American Division

1st Team

Reese Canaday , Senior, Oxford

Maddy Miles, Senior, Unionville

Aiden Drabick, Soph., Great Valley

Sydney Thureen, Senior, Kennett

Shannon Drakley, Senior, Rustin

Mackenzie Hilditch, Senior, Great Valley

Emma Schwarz, Soph., Kennett

Amanda Panati, Senior, Unionville

Alexis Schambers, Senior, Rustin

Steph Oleykowski, Junior, Kennett

Meg Hadfield, Senior, Rustin

2nd Team

Erin Nearey, Senior, Sun Valley

Blaise Cugini, Senior, Rustin

Christine Ditizio, Freshman, Rustin

Tessa Liberatoscioli, Junior, Great Valley

Madi Holt, Senior, Unionville

Gill Iacobucci, Senior, Great Valley

Julia Gunzel, Senior, Oxford

Dani Panati, Soph., Unionville

Hildi Reiter, Senior, Kennett

Abby Harsh, Senior, Oxford

Claire Borman, Senior, Kennett

Ryan Curley, Junior, Great Valley

Honorable Mention

Carly Stello , Junior, Great Valley

Devon Johnson, Soph., Kennett

Brooke Rush, Junior, Oxford

Taylor Krafchick, Freshman, Rustin

Shalane Buck, Junior, Sun Valley

Ally Hoffman, Junior, Unionville

GIRLS TENNIS

National Division

Singles

Jordan Bradley, Senior, Downingtown West

Hannah Baxter, Senior, WC Henderson

Holly Koons, Senior, Downingtown West

Tali Levine, Soph., Downingtown East

Doubles

Hannah Baxter, Senior, WC Henderson

Jessica Liu, Senior, WC Henderson

Holly Koons, Senior, Downingtown West

Sophia Koons, Freshman, Downingtown West

Lauren Knopp, Junior, WC Henderson

Olivia Zoretic, Junior, WC Henderson

Tali Levine, Soph., Downingtown East

Nicole Dickson, Senior, Downingtown East

American Division

Singles

Eliza Wilks, Unionville

Leah Walter , Unionville

Saanvi Garg, Unionville

Cassie Hung, WC Rustin

Julie DiCampli, WC Rustin

Doubles

Bailey Santaguida, Unionville

Faith Ilgner, Unionville

Meera Sehgal, Unionville

Josie Liu, Unionville

Kate Dobbins, Unionville

Ava (Lovey) Black, Unionville

Anna Hedstrom, WC Rustin

Abby Kane, WC Rustin

Maddie Fowler, Kennett

Emma Schmidt, Kennett

FOOTBALL

National Division

1st Team Offense

QB, Ricky Ortega, Coatesville

RB, Garvey Jonassaint, Downingtown East

RB, Aaron Young, Coatesville

WR, Dan Byrnes, Downingtown West

WR, Dapree Bryant, Coatesville

OL, Weston Menzie, Downingtown East

OL, Connor Long, Avon Grove

OL, Ricky Santiago, Coatesville

OL, Mark Villano, Downingtown West

OL, Dylan Nichols, Coatesville

TE, Connor Noble, Downingtown East

Ath, Pierre Marchant, WC East

K, Than Hylen, Coatesville

1st Team Defense

DL, Max Hale, Downingtown West

DL, Tion Holmes, Coatesville

DL, Niko Lempke, Downingtown East

DL, Sean Pelkisson, Downingtown West

LB, Ryan Wetzel, Downingtown West

LB, Stuart Regitz, Downingtown East

LB, Nik Thompson, Coatesville

LB, Wyatt Kirby, Avon Grove

DB, Aaron Young, Coatesville

DB, Dan Byrnes, Downingtown West

DB, CJ Brown, Coatesville

DB, Jackson Scheck, Avon Grove

P, Pat Provence, Avon Grove

2nd Team Offense

QB, Will Howard, Downingtown West

RB, Tyriq Lewis, Downingtown West

RB, Zach Hamilton, Downingtown East

WR, Michael Gray, WC East

WR, Tyre Stead, Avon Grove

OL, Nick Pino, Avon Grove

OL, Alex Bilotti, Henderson

OL, Hugh Lemmon-Kishi, WC East

OL, Chris McBride, Coatesville

OL, Nick Schell, Bishop Shanahan

TE, Ryan Wetzel, Downingtown West

Ath, Ryan Cassidy, WC East

K, Cormac Dooley, WC East

2nd Team Defense

DL, Jimmy Limper, Coatesville

DL, Lenny Kresefski, Bishop Shanahan

DL, John Meeks, Coatesville

DL, Jordan Laudato, Henderson

LB, Kyle Eagan, Downingtown East

LB, Eric Yurkovich, Avon Grove

LB, Nick Woodward, Henderson

LB, Matt Walsh, Avon Grove

DB, Garrett Glendenning, Bishop Shanahan

DB, James Basilli, Downingtown East

DB, Michael Gray, WC East

DB, Jon Hamm, Henderson

K, Tyler Kingsbury, Bishop Shanahan

Honorable Mention

Max Paschall, Avon Grove

Dymere Miller, Coatesville

Chris Yaksich, Downingtown West

Kyle Cichanowsky, WC East

American Division

1st Team Offense

QB, Jake Prevost, Great Valley

RB, Michael Covert, Rustin

RB, Julz Kelly, Sun Valley

WR, Josh Burgess, Great Valley

WR, Mitch Kosara, Kennett

OL, Sam Blevins, Oxford

OL, Tim Dyer, Great Valley

OL, RJ Cleveland, Rustin

OL, Sean Durant, Rustin

OL, Dom Ellis, Sun Valley

TE, Sean Hopkins, Rustin

ATH, Garrett Cox, Kennett

K, Dominic Braithwaite, Unionville

1st Team Defense

DL, Sean Hopkins, Rustin

DL, Eli Lyons, Unionville

DL, Matt Montgomery, Rustin

DL, Dom Ellis, Sun Valley

LB, Alex Pellegrin, Unionville

LB, Garrett Cox, Kennett

LB, Owen Walsh, Rustin

LB, Josh Burgess, Great Valley

DB, Nick Schnaars, Unionville

DB, Mitch Kosara, Kennett

DB, Colin Hurley, Rustin

DB, Lance Stone, Sun Valley

P, Declan Boyle, Unionville

2nd Team Offense

QB, Brett Kochmansky, Oxford

RB, Tim Faber, Oxford

RB, Nick Madonna, Rustin

WR, Nick Schnaars, Unionville

WR, Dayon Belgrave, Sun Valley

OL, Nate Rodriguez, Oxford

OL, Cole Sheehan, Unionville

OL, John Colamarino, Kennett

OL, Declan Boyle, Unionville

OL, Jayvon Wilson, Sun Valley

TE, Josh Ploener, Kennett

2nd Team Defense

DL, Andrew DiSanto, Great Valley

DL, Tim Dyer, Great Valley

DL, Jay Morton, Oxford

DL, Mason Hager, Oxford

LB, Jake Wilsey, Rustin

LB, Jake Rupert, Great Valley

LB, Matt Julier, Unionville

LB, Josh Ploener, Kennett

LB, Danny Nearey, Sun Valley

DB, Brandon McWilliams, Oxford

DB, Connor Schilling, Unionville

DB, Pat Quinn, Rustin

DB, Dayon Belgrave, Sun Valley

Honorable Mention

Brendan O’Donnell, Great Valley

Sam Forte, Kennett

Xavier Myers, Oxford

Anthony Ellis, Sun Valley

Gabe McLaughlin, Unionville

Michael Burke, Rustin

GOLF

First Team

Matt Feeney, WC Rustin

Connor Bennink, Unionville

Ryan Dariano, WC Rustin

Roy Anderson, Unionville

Cole Shew, WC East

Zach Bruecks, Avon Grove

Jon Passarello, Unionville

Joseph Madden, Oxford

Richie Kline, Unionville

Joe O’Malley, Shanahan

Evan Drummond, Downingtown East

Griffin Lownes, Great Valley

Chris Skean, Unionville

Victoria Kim, WC East

Charlotte Scully, Unionville

Second Team

Will Bennink, Unionville

Eric Miller, WC Rustin

Matthew Todd, Oxford

David Starnes, Unionville

Nimah Narinesingh-Smith, Kennett

Justin Cinnamond, WC Henderson

Sofia Amoroso, WC East

David Turnbull, Avon Grove

Honorable Mention

Dan Muck, Great Valley

Jeremy Negron, Coatesville

Jake Leon, Downingtown East

Donovan Tate, WC East

Quraan Harris, Glen Mills

Matt Franjesh, Oxford

Jack Youhouse, Sun Valley

Jack Ryan, Kennett

Dylan Kochis, WC Henderson

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL

National Division

1st TEAM

Cara Shultz, Shanahan, Jr, Outside Hitter

Julie Gallagher, Shanahan, Sr, Libero

Julia Thomas, Shanahan, Sr, Middle Hitter

Jess Angeline, Downingtown East, Jr, Setter

Victoria Rudolph, Downingtown East, Sr, Middle Hitter

Aly Reardon, Downingtown West, Sr, Outside Hitter

Fiona Pyfer, Henderson, Sr, Outside Hitter

2nd TEAM

Michaela Devlin, Shanahan, Sr, Outside Hitter

Alysa Wright, Shanahan, Sr, Outside Hitter

Kaleigh Sheridan, Coatesville, Jr, Outside Hitter

Rachel Wertz, Downingtown East, Soph, Outside Hitter

Hailey Lewis, Downingtown West, Sr, Middle Hitter

Audrey Jones, Downingtown West, Jr, Outside Hitter

Amanda Ball, Henderson, Jr, Libero

HONORABLE MENTION

Taylor Dale, Henderson, Sr, Setter

Jordan Musantry, Downingtown East, Jr, Libero

Lacie Brown, Avon Grove, Fr, Setter

Rielly Ragni, WC East, Jr, Outside Hitter

Paige Polsin, D’town West, Sr, Outside Hitter

Kelly Christian, Coatesville, Sr, Setter

Alexa Burns, Shanahan, Sr, Setter

American Division

1st TEAM

Jennie Mullen, Great Valley, Sr, Setter

Alana Cunningham, Great Valley, Sr, Middle Hitter

Zoe Nguyen, Kennett, Sr, Middle Hitter

Emily Supplee, Rustin, Jr, Outside Hitter

Emma Nelson, Rustin, Sr, Outside Hitter

Hannah Vickers, Sun Valley, Jr, Setter/Out.Hitter

Sophie Brenner, Unionville, Soph, Outside Hitter

2nd TEAM

Lindsay Gal, Great Valley, Jr, Outside Hitter

Danielle Stackhouse, Oxford, Sr, Libero

Emma Klanica, Rustin, Soph, Outside Hitter

Morgan Bitzberger, Rustin, Jr, Setter

Rachel DiCarlo, Sun Valley, Jr, Libero

Kat Tuerff, Unionville, Jr, Middle Hitter

Elizabeth Sauerbaum, Unionville, Jr, Setter

HONORABLE MENTION

Megan Dion, Rustin, Jr, Middle Hitter

Emily Griffin, Oxford, Soph, Outside Hitter

Taylor Lindsay, Unionville, Sr, Libero

Sarah Karwoski, Great Valley, Sr, Outside Hitter

Savannah Applegate, Kennett, Jr, Middle Hitter

Kristine Guenther, Sun Valley, So., Setter/Out.Hitter

BOYS CROSS COUNTRY

1st TEAM

Aiden Barnhill, Downingtown West

Joseph Chamoun, Downingtown West

Payton Sewall, Downingtown West

Kevin Wagner, Downingtown West

Isaac Valderrabano, Downingtown West

Cole Driver, Unionville

Ethan McIntyre, Unionville

Cole Walker, Unionville

Josh Lewin, WC East

Calvin Pash, Henderson

2nd TEAM

Holden Betz, Downingtown West

Ben Datte, Downingtown West

Gavin Brophy, Henderson

Luke Miles, Henderson

James Conway, Unionville

Seth Hoffritz, Great Valley

Rahman Mohammed, Great Valley

Gavin Maxwell, Kennett

Domenic Moser, WC East

Luke Talham, Avon Grove

GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY

1st TEAM

Courtney Alexander, Henderson

Courtney Kitchen, Henderson

Jenna Mulhern, Henderson

Allyson Clarke, WC East

Michaela Schiele, WC East 

Sarah Coates, Unionville

Madison McGovern, Unionville

Taj Lanier, Oxford

Lauren O’Neil, Avon Grove

Aliza Thir, Downingtown West

2nd TEAM

Brooke Barfell, Avon Grove

Reagan Flannery, Downingtown West

Marcella Krautzel, Unionville

Meghan Smith, Unionville

Sammie Miller, Coatesville

Sofia Piccone, Rustin

Sonia Piombino, WC East

Emma Teneza, Henderson

Amy Willig, Great Valley

Charlotte Roumpz, Downingtown East

The Main Line high school boys’ soccer scene featured many noteworthy teams this fall, particularly Inter-Ac champion Haverford School during the regular season, and PIAA 4A state runnerup Radnor in the post-season.
Radnor (20-4-2), the seventh seed in the PIAA District 1 4A tournament this fall (Conestoga was ranked No. 1), edged fifth seed Lower Merion for the fifth and final spot in the PIAA state tourney. At States, Radnor relied on airtight defense, holding opponents to one goal in a stretch of 292 minutes in the tourney, all the way to the final seconds of the championship final.
Two-time defending PIAA 4A state champion Conestoga (16-1), undefeated during the regular season and the top seed in the PIAA District 1 4A tournament, shockingly lost its district opener, ending its post-season abruptly.
Other strong Central League teams were Harriton (13-3-1, 8-2-1), led by Central League MVP Alex Kades; Lower Merion (18-4, 9-2); and Haverford High (11-7, 7-4).
Haverford School (13-2-4, 6-1-3), led by Inter-Ac MVP Griffin Wada, was the Inter-Ac champion and was nationally ranked as high as 12th. Episcopal Academy (13-4-3, 5-3-2) finished third in the Inter-Ac loop.
The All-Main Line high school boys’ soccer teams are selected by the coaches. Because Main Line Media News covers 19 high schools, the Main Line Media News sports staff limits the number of spots available to first team, second team and honorable mention — but follows the priority of coaches’ selections.
What follows are the 2018 All-Main Line high school boys’ soccer teams:

FIRST TEAM
Luke Smith, Conestoga – Senior goalie, a first team All-Central League selection and the Pioneers’ MVP, surrendered just four goals in 17 games, posting 12 shutouts.
Matt Rossi, Conestoga – Senior striker, a first team All-Central League selection, was the top scorer of the Central League champions, tallying seven goals in 17 games.
Nick Bello, Devon Prep – Senior forward, a first team All-Catholic League selection, finished his Tide career with a school-record 61 career goals. Noted for his speed, ability to control the ball and mental toughness.
Samuel Wilson, Episcopal Academy – Senior forward, a first team All-Inter-Ac selection for the second consecutive year, was a potent scorer for the Churchmen, scoring 21 goals in 18 games (eight Inter-Ac goals).
Harrison Malone, Episcopal Academy – Senior midfielder and captain, a first team All-InterAc selection, was a fine all-around player, dishing out 11 assists and scoring five goals as well as providing strength in the midfield.
Alex Kades, Harriton – Senior striker, the Central League MVP and an all-state selection for the second consecutive year, scored 21 goals, finishing his Ram career with 70 goals and 29 assists. Will be playing for University of Pennsylvania next fall.
Mikkel Anderson, Harriton – Junior forward, a first team All-Central League selection, scored 12 goals and dished out eight assists this fall (has 22 goals for his career).
Will Gardner, Haverford High – Senior forward and captain, a first team All-Central selection, scored nine goals, including overtime game-winners twice. Also dished out four assists and provided strong leadership.
Griffin Wada, Haverford School – Senior midfielder, the Inter-Ac Most Valuable Player and an all-state selection, will play soccer at the University of Chicago next fall.
Will Micheletti, Haverford School – Senior striker, a first team All-Inter-Ac selection, scored 12 goals and dished out 11 assists for the Inter-Ac champions. Will play soccer for Franklin & Marshall next fall.
Isaac Brainsky, Lower Merion – Senior midfielder, a first team All-Central League selection, scored 11 goals and dished out 14 assists.
Harrison Bloch, Lower Merion – Senior forward, a first team All-Central League selection for the second consecutive year, tallied 15 goals and dished out four assists.
Zach Hurchalla, Malvern Prep – Senior midfielder/defender, a first team All-Inter-Ac selection, was the Friars’ MVP. Noted for his excellent ball winning, 1v1 defensive skills, leadership and versatility, the Bucknell commit tallied five goals and three assists.
Henry Cooke, Radnor – Senior goalie, a second team All-Delco and All-Central selection, allowed 0.7 goals per game this season to lead the Raiders’ red-hot post-season run. Noted for his consistent composure, excellent positioning and standout ability to read the game.
Ben Verbofsky, Radnor – Senior defender, the Raiders’ co-MVP and a second team All-Delco selection, was considered a lockdown defender, consistently shutting down the opponent’s best attacking threat.
Johnny Lenart, Shipley – Senior midfielder, a Friends’ School League co-MVP as well as a three-time first team All-FSL selection, was an all-state selection this fall. Noted for his versatility and leadership, he was the Gators’ MVP for the second consecutive year.

SECOND TEAM
Archbishop Carroll – Nick Frederick, senior forward; Dom Massi, senior defender.
Conestoga – Nate Xu, junior midfielder; Jason Ivey, senior midfielder; Jack Murphy, senior defender.
Episcopal Academy – Trevor Manion, junior goalkeeper.
Friends’ Central – Ingram Dillingham, senior center mid; Mason Davis, senior center back.
Harriton – Evan Tracy, senior defensive center midfielder; Justin Nachman, senior center midfielder.
Haverford High – Aidan Tripler, junior midfielder.
Haverford School – Nick Pippis, senior midfielder; Mitchell Hark, junior defender; Luke Macione, junior midfielder.
Lower Merion – Ethan Blouin, senior center back; Wyatt Joseph, senior midfielder; Cole Sanchez senior midfielder.
Malvern Prep – Kellen Fitzgerald, senior defender; Matt Lamond, junior forward.
Radnor – Evan Majercak, senior defender; Eliot Hayes, senior midfielder.
Shipley –Brian McDaid, junior center back; Jimmy Fallon, junior holding midfielder.

HONORABLE MENTION
Archbishop Carroll – Jake Langley, senior goalie.
Conestoga – Jack Davis, senior defender.
Devon Prep – Connor Kelly, senior forward; Alex Furtek, senior defender.
Episcopal Academy – Rowan Brumbaugh, senior midfielder; Jack Pacera, senior forward; Gabriel Furey, senior midfielder.
Harriton –Filip Barun, senior center back; Robert Fleming, senior center back; Zach Shulman, senior goalie.
Haverford High – Alex Reardon, senior midfielder; Zach Signorello, senior defender; Duncan Riegler, sophomore midfielder; Cam Morse, senior forward.
Lower Merion – Shane Brown, sophomore midfielder; Andrew Weitz, senior goalie.
Malvern Prep – Logan Cattie, senior defender.
Radnor – Ben Engstrom, junior forward; Jackson Birtwistle, junior forward; Bobby Hydrisko, junior forward.
Shipley – Jude Corr, senior midfielder.

– Eddie Levin contributed to this article.

The senior midfielder led the highly-ranked Fords’ soccer team to the Inter-Ac title this fall, and was named Inter-Ac Most Valuable Player, as well as all-state, first team All-Delco and first team All-Main Line. The University of Chicago commit is also an excellent student who is a National Merit Scholar semifinalist. Off the pitch, Wada participates in the Peanut Butter and Jelly Club at Haverford School, which makes lunches for homeless shelters in Philadelphia.

Q: What did it mean to you to be named the Inter-Ac Most Valuable Player?

A: It meant a lot, especially knowing the great players who have received the honor in the past few years. There were multiple players who put together great games throughout the Inter-Ac season, so to be chosen as MVP this year is a huge honor. Obviously, I would not be even be in the running for this award if not for my teammates and coaches who pushed me all year and put me in a situation to play comfortable, fun soccer. I think that our whole team really embraced the idea of selflessness and we worked to help each other out whether it be in practice or in big games. 

Q: What is your most vivid memory of this past season?

A: My most vivid memory of this past season came in our last game versus Episcopal Academy. We came into the game angry because we felt that we deserved a win the first time we played them, so we came out firing. We scored two goals in the first half and we had a few of our substitutes come on to end the half. One of our substitutes was senior Fran Radano, who had not gotten much playing time throughout the year, but nevertheless had worked himself into the role of a senior leader. Near the end of the first half, we worked the ball down the right sideline with interplay between Will Micheletti and Nick Pippis, and Fran gave his defender a body feint, slipped back post, and buried a cross into the net. I had little to no role in this play, but it will go down as my favorite memory on the Haverford School soccer team.

Q: Tell us a little about your start in competitive soccer – have you always played midfielder? What sparked your original interest in the midfielder position?

A: I started playing soccer competitively when I was 7 years old with the Lower Merion Sabertooth Rats, a club team that I am still a part of. I always played defense due to my size, but this fall at Haverford School we had two great junior center backs, Mitchell Hark and MJ Atkins, and those guys allowed me to step into a role in the midfield. I had a little trouble getting used to the positioning and work load that came with it; but thanks to Coach Keefe and Coach Poolman, I was able to put myself in situations to link our defense and our offense. Thought the year, we did only play with two center midfielders, so having Luke Macione slide into the middle with me helped to relieve a lot of the pressure and bridge the gap between our center backs and strikers. I am not sure if I will ever get the chance to move back into the midfield, so I am glad that I was given the chance to play a more attacking role in my last year of high school.

Q: What do you think is the strongest aspect of your game? What part of your game are you working on the most currently?

A: I think that the strongest aspects of my game come from my communication with my teammates (as well as referees) and my field awareness. I also think that my calmness under pressure is one of my greatest strengths. I think that playing midfield this year helped me to work on my positioning and movement on and off the ball. I would say that the part of my game that I am most working on is defending players who are faster or more agile than I am. 

Q: Tell us a little about your pre-game preparation the day of a game.

A: My teammates often get mad at me because I have a certain nonchalance and easy-going attitude on game days. I used to listen to angry music and try to hype myself up on mornings before games, but I realized that I play better when I calm myself down and let go of any stress. I do not have one predetermined pregame meal, and I have been known to take naps on the sideline before warmups. Throughout my time at Haverford, I have found that I play better and looser when I am having fun and when I’m cracking jokes with my teammates or referees. The one ritual that I have is always eating fast-food the night before a game, but none of my coaches know that.

Q: Who have been your biggest soccer mentors, and what was the most important thing you learned from each one?

A: I would say that I have three major soccer mentors. First, I have my Dad, who I have always competed with and who pushed me to be my best. I vividly remember him buying a whiteboard with a soccer field drawn on it when I was 6 years old in order to point out where I should be throughout the game. After my Dad, it was my teammates who taught me to play calm and trust in the people around me to make plays, win balls, and score goals. Finally, it was my coaches at Haverford who put me into a leadership role and pushed me to make the players around me the best that they could be.

Q: You wore uniform jersey No. 39 for Haverford this fall. Why did you pick this number – was there a particular reason?

A: I actually wear No. 13 on my club team, but there was one student a year above me who would take it every year at Haverford, so I decided to take random numbers like 25, 37, and 39, which I took sophomore, junior, and senior years, respectively. By this year, it kind of became a thing that my teammates, and other teams, would point at and laugh about, as it is usually freshman and sophomores who get stuck with larger less desirable numbers.

Fun facts – Griffin Wada

Favorite book: The Great Gatsby.

Favorite TV show: Brooklyn Nine-Nine.

Favorite movie: Inglourious Basterds.

Favorite athlete: Lionel Messi.

Favorite team: USC Trojans football.

Favorite pre-game meal: McDonalds sausage and egg McGriddle.

(To be selected as Main Line Boys Athlete of the Week, a student-athlete must first be nominated by his coach.)

The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) has vacated the Wilson boys soccer team’s state championship due to the use of an over-age player.

District 3’s Wilson defeated Radnor 1-0 for the PIAA Class 4A title on Nov. 17 at HersheyPark Stadium on a dramatic, controversial late goal. The District 3 runner-up Bulldogs’ run to the title also included wins over District 12 champion Roman Catholic, District 11 champion Freedom and District 1’s Unionville.

The 2018 Class 4A championship will remain vacant based on the PIAA’s By-Laws. Article XIII, Section 3D, governing “Penalties” states that, “If a Team required to forfeit a Postseason Contest has won a Contest … following the final Inter-District Championship Contest, the championship in that sport will remain vacant for that year.”

Wilson Superintendent Dr. Richard Faidley revealed the ruling in an announcement to the Wilson community on Dec. 11:

“We were notified yesterday by the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) that its governing Board of Directors took action on our self-reported age-rule violation by a member of the Wilson High School Boys Varsity Soccer Team.

“The PIAA Board’s decision means that our high school state championship season is forfeited under PIAA’s fair-competition guidelines.

“As stated two weeks ago, when I first brought this unprecedented situation to your attention, we were duty bound to voluntarily report the apparent PIAA violation as soon as it was discovered.

“While PIAA’s decision is mandated by the by-laws which all member schools agree to adopt, it is important to note that the PIAA Board of Directors determined the age deception was an ‘isolated incident,’ and that PIAA was ‘sympathetic’ to the Wilson School District since the misconduct was ‘initiated by the family and student providing the school with false, incorrect information.’

“In fact, the PIAA Executive Director said, in response to the District’s report, that ‘the respect I have gained for the administration of the Wilson School District is immeasurable.’

“Although the PIAA’s decision nullifies the victories this season and vacates the state title, it does not erase the incredible effort of the team. We remain proud of our student athletes, their families, and our coaching staff, led by Head Coach Massimo Grande.

“Clearly, neither the coaching staff nor any teammate had any idea that one of their players was older than the PIAA-mandated eligibility age. To their credit, our student athletes have nothing but compassion for their former teammate, whose actions were clearly motivated by a love of the sport and his fellow athletes. With that said, we accept the decision of PIAA and now look forward, with great anticipation, to next season.”

Faidley and Wilson self-reported the violation to the PIAA on Nov. 29, leading to the two week investigation.