Sunday, November 28, 2010

Looking Back on 2010

With the LM boy's soccer award's banquet coming up on Wednesday, December 1st, another Aces season will go into the books. And what an exceptional season it was. Let's take a look at how special this team was.

* It was the 1st time in the 86 year history of LM boy's soccer, that an Aces team never gave up a goal in the District One soccer playoffs, which they participated in 33 times.

* They tied the record, set by the 1944 team, of recording 6 consecutive shutouts.

* They won LM's 7th District One Championship, after losing 8-9 starters from the year before.

* And their 19 wins were the 4th highest in LM boy's soccer history.

Congratulations to the team, and the coaching staff, for an exceptional season.

Saturday, November 20, 2010

2010 State Final

District 1's C.B. East lost a heartbreaker to District 3's Hempfield 2-1 in OT for the 2010 PIAA State Title.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

LM Soccer Alumni News

LM grads Strong, Packel find Ace soccer kinship with Julian Aoyama

Lower Merion grads Bill Strong (left) and Ed Packel (right, but not pictured as photo was to big for this blog), who went on to play soccer for Amherst College, join a fellow LM grad, Julian Aoyama, who is currently starring for the Amherst soccer team.

When Lower Merion High School graduates Bill Strong and Ed Packel (both from the Class of 1959) recently attended the 50th anniversary reunion of the 1960 Amherst College men’s soccer team (which was undefeated), they had a pleasant surprise in meeting another Lower Merion grad on the current Amherst squad, Julian Aoyama.

It turns out that Aoyama, who scored the game-winning goal that day in a 2-0 win against Connecticut College, plays the same position as Packel — attacking left midfielder (known as left wing back in Packel’s time) — and wears the same jersey number (6).

Aoyama scored the winning goal last weekend against Plattsburgh in the NCAA Division III tournament, helping Amherst advance to the round of 16.

“We found Julian to be a delightful young man and were extremely impressed by the skills he showed on the field,” said Strong.

Packel and Strong played on the 1958 Lower Merion team that won the Suburban One and district titles, and lost by a goal in the Eastern Regionals (the equivalent of the state championship, since there was no high school soccer in Western Pennsylvania at the time).

Strong and Packel were the only sophomore starters on the 1960 Amherst squad, and were co-captains of the 1962 team.

After graduating from Amherst, Packel went on to get his doctorate in mathematics at MIT and has been for many years a tenured professor of mathematics and computer science at Lake Forest College, north of Chicago, including a stint as chairman of the department. He also served as men’s soccer coach in the 1970s, and is an elite runner, having won a number of age-group titles in long-distance races.

Strong received masters degrees in communications (from Annenberg School) and political science from Penn. Following a 13-year career in broadcasting with CBS/Westinghouse Broadcasting, starting at KYW-TV and covering six cities from coast-to-coast, Strong moved into the sports business as a senior executive in sales and broadcasting with the Pittsburgh Penguins for 12 years (and two Stanley Cups) and, more recently, for 17 years with the Texas Rangers and Dallas Stars (and one Stanley Cup).

In 1986, Strong watched as his son’s Quaker Valley High School team won the PIAA state soccer championship, ironically after having upset Lower Merion in an early-season ELCO tournament.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

State Final

C. B. East, who defeated the Aces in the State Quarter-Final and are the lone District 1 team left in the State playoffs, beat Central Dauphin 2-1 in the semi-finals and will move onto the State Championship game against Hempfield from District 3, a 2-0 winner over Pittsburgh Central Catholic. This is C. B. East's first ever appearance in the State Final game.

The ACES (19-2-3) were ranked 2nd in both the Inquirer & Southeastern PA Coaches final Soccer Polls, behind C.B. East (17-5-3).

Sunday, November 14, 2010

LM vs. C.B. East - State Quarter-Finals

LM took on a hot C.B. East team last night, a team that had only lost 1 game in the playoffs thus far (a 1-0 heartbreaker to Conestoga in the District 1 semi-finals). With only 9 minutes played the Patriots opened the scoring when their long throw-in inadvertently bounced off the head of an Aces player and into the net. With both teams playing strong defense each goolkeeper registered only 2 saves in the 1st half, which ended 1-0 C.B. East.

Seven minutes into the 2nd half it looked like the Aces had tied it up when they put the ball past the East keeper, off a David Rosenfeld free kick, but LM was charged with goalie interference and the goal was called back. Eight minutes later East struck again, once more coming from a long throw-in, 2-0 East. It was a story of executed restarts, and as this was usually the Aces strength all season, it was C.B. East who capitalized tonight. The game ended 2-0, and LM's storybook season, along with their 14-game winning streak, was finally over.

It will take some time, but this year's Aces team will eventually realize just how special their 2010 season was. After losing 9 starters to graduation, they finished a very close 2nd to Conestoga for the Central League Title, they won the school's 7th District 1 Championship (by winning all 5 of their District Playoff games by shutouts), and they put together 2 amazing streaks; 14 consecutive wins (2nd only to 1965's record of 17), and 6 straight shutouts (tieing the record set by the 1944 team).

C.B. East was the only District 1 team to win their quarter-final game, as Conestoga lost 3-2 to defending State Champion Central Dauphin, and Pennsbury got thumped by Hempfield 3-0.

Friday, November 12, 2010

ESPN Rise National HS Boy's Soccer Rankings

Saturday at 5:45 PM the Aces will put their 19-1-3 record, their #1 Inquirer Top 10 ranking, their #13 National ESPN Rise soccer ranking, and their school record 14-game winning streak on the line against C.B. East in the 2nd round of the PIAA State Playoffs. GO ACES!

Thursday, November 11, 2010

2010 LM Boy's Soccer Hall of Fame Inductees

David Urban - Class of '86

David was a 3-year varsity letter winner for Lower Merion’s soccer team in 1983, 1984, & 1985. He started every game in his junior & senior years at sweeperback, with the team going 34-6-7, and winning 2 Central League titles. LM went to both the District One & PA state playoffs both those years, losing in the state final 1-0 in his junior year, with David voted LM’s Most Valuable Defensive Player. He was also instrumental in many wins as he was the team’s designated penalty kicker. In his senior year he was the team’s captain, MVP, and was chosen to the 1st team All-Central League team.

Upon graduation David went on to play at Eastern University (formerly Eastern College), where he was a 2-time captain, a 2-time MVP, and a 1st team NCCAA All American.

After college David was able to come back to Lower Merion High School and coach in the boy’s soccer program, spending 1 year as the Freshmen Coach, 4 years as the Assistant Varsity Coach, and 1 year as the Head Varsity Coach. He then went back to Eastern to become the head Women’s Soccer Coach and Assistant Men’s Soccer Coach for 5 years.

David continued to stay active in coaching, helping out with the Marple & Liverpool club teams. He presently serves as Vice President for Enrollment at Eastern University, and lives in Newtown Square with his wife Carolyn and three children, Madison, Annika, and JD.

Chris Schreiner - Class of '89

Chris was a 3-year varsity starter for Lower Merion’s soccer team in 1986, 1987, & 1988. The team’s record during those years was 61-7-14, while winning 2 Central League Championships, a District One title, and a PIAA State crown. For the 3 years Chris recorded 24 goals & 22 assists, and in his senior year he was a co-captain, MVP of the team, and was chosen to the 1st team All-Central League, the All-State team, and was named a high school All-America pick. He still holds the LM school records for most games played in a career, 81, and most playoff games played in a career, 24. And amazingly this was in 3 years, as freshman weren’t allowed to play varsity at that time.

Upon graduation Chris attended Mercer College, where as a freshman, in addition to many other accolades, he was chosen 1st team All-American. After leaving Mercer he played for St. Mirrin F.C. in the Scottish 1st division for 2 years, and then for Aberdeen F.C. in the Scottish Premier League until he was injured and had to return to the states.

After his playing career was over Chris was an assistant coach at Cabrini College for a year, assistant varsity coach at LM for 4 years, head coach for another 5 years, and then coached the Harriton girl’s soccer team for 5 years.

Chris is now a teaching assistant at Lower Merion High School and lives in Belmont Hills with his wife Rosemarie and his two little girls Sophia and Abby. He has still stayed active in the community soccer program as an assistant coach of the U-13 Lower Merion Magic.

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Saturday's Game Info

LM (19-1-3) will take on C.B. East (16-5-3) on Saturday at 5:45 PM. The game will be played at Souderton H.S.

District One dominates State 1st Round Games

District One flexed it's muscles last night as all 4 teams won their 1st round State playoff games.

The ACES, District 1's top seed beat Mechanicburg (20-2) 2-1.

Conestoga (District 1's 2nd seed) beat Easton Area (16-5-1) Distrcit 11's champion 4-0

C. B. East (District 1's 3rd seed) beat Coughlin (13-3-1) District 2's champion 4-0

Pennsbury (District 1's 4th seed), playing in the Western bracket, beat Dallastown (24-0) District 3's champion 3-2

St. Joe Prep (the Philadelphia Catholic League champion) and District 12 champion, lost to Central Dauphin (16-5) 2-1.

In the 2nd round on Saturday LM will play C.B. East, at a time & place still to be determined.

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Aces vs. Mechanicburg

The District One champion Aces (18-1-3) took their #1 Inquirer ranking & #2 Coaches Poll ranking into the 1st round of the State Playoffs tonight against District 3's Mechanicsburg, who had an impressive 20-2-1 record.

LM took immediate control of the game and just 12 minutes in got on the board with their sophmore connection. Matt Lindheim dribbled past 2 Mechanicburg defenders and sent over a nice cross that Kenny Lassiter drilled into the back of the net, 1-0 Aces. Junior Ben Hriscu, playing a very strong game, created several more scoring chances as LM kept the ball in their offensive end most of the 1st half. With just over 2 minutes left in the half Sasha Safavi took a free kick from Nate Diehl and was right on with a beautiful strike from 16 yards out, 2-0 Aces at the half.

With Michael Lemonick & David Rosenfeld playing their usual dominating games, and the team having their best tackling game of the season, things looked pretty good. Mechanicburg started to put a little pressure on the Aces in the 2nd half, but were limited to shots from well outside the goalies box that had little chance of beating LM's hot goalkeeper Emmett McConnell. As the clock wound down under 1 minute the Aces were headed for their 7th straight shutout. However, with only 42 seconds left, Mechanicsburg broke that shutout streak with a bullit from 20 yards out that McConnell had no chance on. Final score, 2-1 LM.

Of concern to the Aces going into the 2nd round game on Saturday is the fact that both Matt Linheim & Kenny Lassiter, who both had to leave the game with injuries in the 2nd half, never returned to the field.

With this 1st round win the Aces (19-1-3) move on to the State quarter-finals on Saturday night, and will play the winner of tonight's Central Bucks East (District 1) vs. Coughlin (District 2) game at a time & site to be determined. That info will be posted here tomorrow.

Sunday, November 7, 2010

The Aces (18-1-3) open their State Playoff run with an 8 PM game this Tuesday night at West Chester East. They will face Mechanicburg (20-2-1), District Three's 3rd seeded team.

Saturday, November 6, 2010

LM vs. Conestoga in District Final

The #2 ranked Aces took on the #1 ranked Pioneers with another title on the line, this time a much more valuable one. They were also out to avenge their only loss of the season, a 2-0 loss at Conestoga back in September. LM was all over 'Stoga for most of the game, with the Pioneer keeper standing on his head to keep his team in the game. With the score still 0-0 midway thru the 2nd half Aces keeper Emmett McConnell was the one making the big saves, and there was no scoring in regulation.

OT saw Conestoga take control of the game, and if not for McConnell, and the strong play of Mike Lemonick in the middle, the game would have ended there. But it didn't, and it was on to PK's (something each team had experienced in the playoffs this year, with neither team missing a kick).

The Aces went first and both teams converted their first 2 kicks. After LM made their 3rd, the 'Stoga kicker put his shot over the bar. Lemonick and the Pioneer's 4th kicker traded goals, and LM led 4-3 with 1 kicker left. Senior co-captain David Rosenfeld, who also played his usual strong game at sweeper, could end it here and give LM their 8th District One Title. He calmly converted, and a throng of Aces players, students, & fans stormed the field in celebration.

This year's team had done something that no other Aces team has ever done. They won the District One Title, winning all 5 of their games by shutout. Amazing. They will open the PIAA State Playoffs on Tuesday night, with the details to be listed here as soon as they become available.

Friday, November 5, 2010

LM's District Playoff Record

Since the District One Playoffs began in 1954 (56 years ago), LM has qualified to play in those playoffs 31 times (more than any other District One High School). The Aces record in those playoff games is 52 wins & 26 losses, winning 7 Titles and finishing runner-up 6 other times.

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Headed for Redemption

The Aces will take on Conestoga Saturday night at 8 PM (at West Chester East H.S.) for the District One Championship. 'Stoga beat Central Bucks East last night on PK's 3-1, after the game ended 1-1. 'Stoga is the only team who beat LM this year, way back on September 21st, but will be facing a greatly improved Aces squad who seems to be on a mission (and a 12 game winning streak & 5 game shutout streak). "Stoga may have finished 1st to LM's 2nd in the Central League, but now it's the Aces turn to switch that up and take the District Title.

With 'Stoga ranked #1 in both the Inquirer & Coaches Soccer Polls, and LM #2 & #3 respectively, it certainly confirms the fact that the Central League is the best soccer league in the state.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

LM vs. Pennsbury in the District Semi-Final

Before the Aces started their bus ride to West Chester East this afternoon to take on Pennsbury, the new Inquirer soccer rankings came out. They had Conestoga #1 (18-1-1) and LM #2 (16-1-3). They now had to answer the question, "Are we that good...or are we better"?

LM once again came out strong and took control early. They dominated the midfield, and generated numerous scoring chances, from the field and from their patented long throw-in. However Pennsbury bent but did not break, and thru the 1st 20 minutes the game was still scoreless. Pennsbury began to step up their game a little with some excellent ball control and a pin point passing game, but they could not penetrate the Aces vaunted defense. The 1st half ended 0-0.

Just 3 minutes into the 2nd half the Aces took advantage of a great scoring opportunity. Michael Lemonick, playing flawlessly at center midfield, put a long throw-in across the Pennsbury goalmouth. After bouncing around a couple of times, the ball found it's way onto the foot of senior Matias Fernandez-Duque and he drilled it in the left hand corner, giving LM a 1-0 lead. After the play see-sawed back & forth for awhile, Pennsbury began to take control. Midway thru the 2nd half their speedy right winger beat an LM defender, took the baseline, and put a shot off the middle of the crossbar but it was then quickly cleared. The Aces defense quickly shored up once again and held on for a 1-0 victory.

This was LM's 12th win in a row, and the defense of Emmell McConnell (keeper), David Rosenfeld, Nate Diehl, Colin Eisenstadt, and Tyler Niles has yet to give up a goal in their 4 District One playoff games. The Aces now move on to play the winner of tonight's game between Conestoga (the only team to beat the Aces this year) and Central Bucks East for the 2010 District One Title. That game will be played at West Chester East, beginning at 8:00 PM.

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Soccer Playoff History

District One Playoffs
* These playoffs began in 1954 with the 2 best teams in the District playing for the title
* There was only 1 division
* Now there are 28 teams competing for this coveted "AAA" big school championship each year
* There are also Distrcit Playoffs in 2 other smaller divisions as well, "AA" & "A"

Inter-District Playoff Game
* This playoff game also began in 1954, and was played until 1972
* It was played between the champions of District 1 & District 3
* These 2 Districts were considered at that time to have the best teams in the state
* The winner of this game was considered the unofficial State Champion

PIAA State Championship Playoffs
* These playoffs began in 1973 between teams from all over PA
* One school was declared the official PIAA State Champion
* Since then, a State Champion is declared in each of the 3 classes;
* "AAA" = big schools, "AA" = medium size schools, & "A" = small schools