The 1987 LM Aces boy’s soccer team holds the distinction of being the first Aces athletic team, in any sport, to win an official PIAA State Championship. And, to this day, they remain the only LM soccer team to have won the State Crown.
Despite a gaudy 22-1-5 final record, still the most wins in a single season in LM boy’s soccer history, it wasn’t until the last Central League game of the season, against undefeated, and nationally ranked Strath Haven, that this Aces team secured their District 1 playoff berth. Win, and they would share the league title with Haven at 8-1-1, lose, and they would drop to 5th place, at 7-2-1, and their season would be over. That's how tight the first 5 teams in the Central League were. LM scored in the first 5 minutes of the game, and made it hold up for a very tense, and deliciously rewarding, 1-0 victory.
In the District 1 Playoffs the Aces had to settle for a 3rd place finish, losing in the semi-finals on penalty kicks to Central Bucks East, and was forced to watch while archrival Strath Haven beat C.B. East in the finals to win the District One Crown. LM, playing as District One's 3rd seed (they beat Downingtown 2-1 in the District One 3rd place game) then won their first two State Playoff games to set up a rematch with archrival Strath Haven in the State semi-finals. Haven was also the defending State Champion, and it promised to be quite a game.
Played in Lebanon, in front of a huge crowd, and in windy snowy conditions, the first half saw Haven strike first, with the Aces tieing it up just minutes later. It was a hard-nosed physical game, between 2 teams that respected, but didn’t particularly care much for each other. There would be no more scoring in regulation, or overtime, and the victor would have to be decided by penalty kicks. With each team converting on 3 of their first 4 kicks, it would come down to each team’s high scorer, both chosen high school All-Americans that year; the Aces Drew Misher and Strath Haven’s Jason Luzak. Misher went 1st, and, after already having scored a PK during the game, again buried his shot in the upper left corner. Luzak was next, and even though Aces keeper Jason DiLullo got a piece of the ball, it still found the net, and it would be on to sudden-death PK’s. First up was LM's junior defenseman Andrew Sherman. As the Panther keeper dove left, Sherman’s kick found the right side of the net, and the pressure was back on Haven. DiLullo made a brilliant save on Haven’s attempt, and the Aces would advance to the State final against District 7 champion Fox Chapel.
This time the Aces got on the board early, which was the 1st goal allowed by Fox Chapel in their 8 playoff games. However, later in the 1st half the Foxes tied it up, and then the defenses took over. There was no more scoring in regulation, but in the 1st overtime LM was awarded a penalty kick, as midfielder David Alten was pulled down in the box. Up stepped Drew Misher, and he drilled it top left, his favorite spot, and the Aces captured the PIAA State Title.
Two of the tri-captains, Drew Misher & Matt Fine would be chosen to the All-Central League 1st team, with the other, Greg Knepper, along with David Alten, would be 2nd team picks. Misher was also tapped for All-State and High School All-America honors, the first ever from LM.
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