LM stays close to Stoga in title chase

While the Aces were beating Strath Haven 4-2, league leading Conestoga managed a closer than expected 2-1 win over Radnor, keeping them 1 game ahead in the race for the Central League title. Unscored upon Marple gave up their 1st league goal in 6 games in a 1-0 loss to Springfield, and with 5 league games remaining it looks like it's a 2 horse race.

6-0-0, Conestoga (plays Strath Haven next Wednesday, 10/5)
5-1-0, LOWER MERION
3-1-2, Strath Haven
3-2-1, Harriton
3-2-1, Springfield
2-1-3, Marple Newtown
3-3-0, Haverford
2-4-0, Garnet Valley
2-4-0, Ridley
1-3-2, Radnor
1-4-1, Upper Darby
0-6-0, Penncrest

Despite a 3-0 record last week the Aces went from #2 to #6 in the Philadelphia Inquirer soccer poll, which pretty much mirrors the Southeastern PA Coaches poll. Below are the top 10:

1 - Conestoga (8-0)
2 - Holy Ghost Prep (7-0)
3 - LaSalle (8-1), host LM this Saturday at 11:00 AM, non-league game
4 - North Penn (6-0-1)
5 - Haverford School (7-0)
6 - LOWER MERION (9-1)
7 - Central Bucks South (7-1)
8 - Wissahickon (5-2)
9 - Central Bucks East (5-2-1)
10 - Malvern Prep (4-1)

Haven Triller

This afternoon LM hosted rival Strath Haven in a key Central League contest. With the Aces defense only allowing 4 goals in their 1st 9 games, it promised to be a low scoring affair. However, that would not be the case today.

Haven jumped out on top midway thru the 1st half with a pretty goal coming off a perfect cross. LM tied it up just 4 minutes later when Tyler Niles headed a long free kick over the head of the Panther's keeper. That would repeat itself only 3 minutes later as it was Niles again heading in a Shane Votto free kick, and it was the Aces back on top 2-1. With the 1st half winding down, Haven got a free kick at the edge of the goalie's box with just 50 seconds remaining. With a wall screening LM's keeper Connor Yu, the kick was perfect and the 1st half ended 2-2.

Just 10 minutes into the 2nd half the refs called for a 30 minute lightning break. When play was resumed the Aces took the game over, and got goals from Matt Lindheim & Kenny Lassiter to defeat the Panthers 4-2. This improved LM's overall record to 9-1 (5-1 league).

They resume their schedule on Saturday at LaSalle, who is currently ranked #4 in the latest Southeastern Coaches Poll. Despite a perfect 3-0 mark last week, the Aces remained at #6.

Perfect Week

The Aces completed a 3-0 week with a 5-0 rout of non-league opponent Archbishop Carroll. Connor Yu, and the LM defense, recorded their 6th shutout of the season behind goals from 5 different players; Ben Hriscu, Matt Lindheim, Tyler Niles, Kenny Lassiter, and Alex Buckman.

Next week the Aces face 2 strong opponents in Central League rival Strath Haven (Tuesday @LM 3:45), and Saturday @LaSalle 11:00 AM. With Haven & Marple playing to a 0-0 tie last Thursday LM moved into 2nd place in the Central League standings, 1 game behind Conestoga.

5-0-0, Conestoga
4-1-0, Lower Merion
3-0-2, Strath Haven
2-0-3, Marple

Close one with Upper Darby

The Aces traveled to Upper Darby yesterday for their 5th Central League contest of the season. The Royals, coached by LM soccer alum Tom Farr, always seems to play LM tough, even this year with a team that's only returning 2 letter winners from last year. It wasn't pretty, but goals from Ben Hriscu & Kenny Lassiter gave the Aces a 2-1 win, as they improved their record to 7-1 overall, and 4-1 in league play. Tomorrow LM hosts Archbishop Carroll on the turf at Arnold Field at 10:15 AM.

Central League Standings

With a little over a third of the Central League season played, it's looking like a 3, maybe 4 horse race for the Championship. Below are the up to date standings:

4-0-0 - Conestoga
3-0-1 - Strath Haven
3-1-0 - Lower Merion
2-0-2 - Marple Newtown
2-1-1 - Harriton
2-2-0 - Garnet Valley
1-1-2 - Radnor
1-2-1 - Springfield
1-2-1 - Upper Darby
1-3-0 - Haverford
0-4-0 - Penncrest
0-4-0 - Ridley

Notes: Strath Haven's tie was 2-2 with Springfield, and they have not played either Conestoga or LM as of yet; Marple is unscored upon in their 4 games, with 0-0 ties with Radnor & Harriton, but haven't played any of the top 3; and Harriton's loss was 2-1 to Strath Haven.

This week's Inquirer top 5:

1 - Conestoga (6-0)
2 - Lower Merion (5-1)
3 - Holy Ghost (5-0)
4 - LaSalle (6-1)
5 - North Penn (6-0)

Sluggish Start

This afternoon LM hosted the Haverford Fords in a Central League contest at Arnold Field. During the 1st 30 minutes the Aces attack was too predictable, trying to force balls up the middle to forwards who were double, and sometimes triple teamed. With only 3 minutes left in the 1st half LM received a gift that helped turn the game around. Matt Lindhein took a 45 yard free kick that was misplayed by the Fords keeper, and it sailed into the net for a 1-0 halftime Aces' lead.

LM began creating more offensive opportunities in the 2nd half by carrying the ball thru the offensive third, forcing the Ford defenders to come off their marks and play the ball. This opened up the thru balls, and with 10 minutes gone these scoring chances created the 1st penalty kick of the season. Ben Hriscu got the call and LM doubled their lead. Just 5 minutes later it was Hriscu again, this time with a 20 blast that made it 3-0 Aces.

Meanwhile, in the defensive end, the Aces' Tyler Niles, Noah Blodget, Mark Abi-Khatter, and Will Podrasky put up a net around keeper Connor Yu, and LM recorded their 4th shutout in 6 games with a 3-0 victory. On Thursday the Aces travel to Upper Darby for another key Central League match (3:15 PM), and on Saturday host non-league opponent Archbishop Carroll (10:15 AM).

In the Southeastern PA Coaches Poll this week, because of their heartbreaking loss to Conestoga last Thursday, the Aces fell to #6. "Stoga moved up to #2, with North Penn at #1, Holy Ghost #3, LaSalle #4, and Central Bucks South at #5. No other Central League team are in the top #20.

LM Soccer Alumni Weekend

Thanks to those LM Soccer Alumni who came out today for the LM Soccer Alumni Weekend festivities. The tour of the new LMHS went very well, thanks to our tour guide Jaime Wilsker, one of the LM varsity soccer team managers.

The annual Alumni Game turned into a shootout, with the LM Aces Alumni coming out on top 7-6, behind the stellar goalkeeper of Mike Mandarino ('91). Other alumni standouts were; David Bloovman ('97), Jim VanDusen ('89), George Chovanes ('73), Tim Lord ('99), Juan Munoz ('98), Ryan Courtney ('01), Chris Schreiner ('89), Erki Abi-Khatter ('06), and Allan Greaves ('86).

At 3 PM the 2011 Aces played a down-to-the-wire non-league contest with Central Bucks West. The West side took charge of the game right away, with LM still suffering the effects of a 2-1 heartbreaking loss to Conestoga on an own goal last Thursday. With no scoring in the 1st half the Aces seemed to come out of their funk at times in the 2nd half, with a few sporadic scoring opportunities, but couldn't capitalize. The vaunted LM defense, and keeper Connor Yu, were tested several times, including a West shot off the post with 10 minutes left in regulation, but the score still reamained 0-0. With under 2 minutes left, Aces' junior Trevor Yu scored from a scrum in front of the West goal, and LM walked away with an opportunisitc 1-0 victory.

At halftime Walter (Bud) Lownes ('43) was inducted into the Lower Merion Boy's Soccer Hall of Fame. Bud's 1942 teammate Harry Olson presented the award to Bud's son Craig, daughter Debbie, and nephew Scott. For Bud's resume' & picture go to the LM Soccer Alumni website (lmsocceralum.org) and click on "Hall of Fame".

Battle of the Heavyweights

This afternoon the Aces hosted the very highly touted undefeated Conestoga Pioneers. It would be a good chance to see how the inexperienced LM squad would do against top competition. It didn't take long for the fireworks to begin, as 3 minutes into the game 'Stoga got on the board, scoring a beautiful goal coming off a long throw-in. Instead of hanging their heads the Aces came right back 3 minutes later on a highlite reel goal. Junior Kenny Lassiter took a ball down the right wing, beat 2 defenders and took the baseline. He then found junior Roberto Bonilla in the slot who blasted a one-time rocket past the helpless Pioneer keeper, 1-1.

Midway through the 1st half senior tri-captain Ben Hirscu found himself all alone in the middle of the 6 box but his header went high & wide. From that point on 'Stoga surprisingly seemed to go into a very defensive alignment, attacking with their 2 speedy wingers while keeping as many as 6-7 players back in the defensive third. With 10 minutes left in the 1st half the Aces made a big lack of communication mistake that would cost them dearly. The Pioneers played a long ball up through the middle into LM goalie's box, and with no "Stoga player within 20 yards of the ball an Aces defender headed the ball back toward keeper Connor Yu but missed his mark and the ball rolled into the LM net. 2-1 Pioneers at halftime.

As the 2nd half began 'Stoga went even more defensive, challenging the Aces to score. With 10 minutes gone LM had a great chance off a corner kick but the shot went just over the top of the goal. 5 minutes later it was the Aces again with a great opportunity, but again missed just wide. The only shot the Pioneers put on goal in the 2nd half came from a 45 yard free kick, but their defense held on to give LM their 1st loss of the season 2-1.

Next up is Central Bucks West this Saturday at 3 PM on the turf at Arnold Field. Come on out and join us for "LM Soccer Alumni Weekend".

Aces roll on

The Aces traveled to Radnor this afternoon to play an important Central League contest against an up & coming Raiders squad. LM wasted no time getting on the board as early in the 1st half junior Kenny Lassiter took a nice pass about 30 yards out, turned toward goal, and ripped it past the helpless Radnor keeper. After that scoring chances were almost non-existent. In fact, LM's vaunted defense played so well that Aces keeper Conor Yu did not have to make a single save the entire game. The final...1-0 LM.

This was the 3rd straight shutout for the Aces defense & Connor Yu, in fact, in the 4 games so far they have only allowed 1 goal. This win brought LM's overall record to 4-0, with a 2-0 Central League mark. This Thursday the Aces host highly ranked, and defending Central League Champion, Conestoga at 3:45 on the turf at Arnold Field, with the winner being the odds on favorite for the league title.

Looking ahead to "LM Soccer Alumni Weekend", this Saturday the Aces host a very strong Central Bucks West team, who is currently ranked in the Southeastern PA Coaches top 10. Come out and join us for all the festivities on Saturday:

11:00 AM - tour of the new LMHS
12:30 AM - LM Soccer Alumni Game (we can always use more players)
2:00 PM - Lunch for all LM Soccer Alumni & families
3:00 PM - LM vs. Central Bucks West
3:45 PM (halftime) - All LM Soccer Alumni will be recognized, and the to the newest inducteeLM Soccer Hall of Fame will be honored
7:00 PM - Gathering at the Great American Pub in Narberth

Early Rankings

After 1 week of play here are 4 of the boy's high school soccer polls:

ESPN National Fab 50
#39 - LM

NSCAA Region III (PA & NJ)
#4 - LaSalle
#6 - Conestoga
#8 - LM
#10 Central Bucks East

ESPN Rise PA
#1 - Hempfield
#2 - LaSalle
#3 - LM
#4 - St. Joe Prep
#5 - Conestoga

Philadelphia Inquirer
#1 - LaSalle
#2 - LM
#3 - Central Bucks East
#4 - Conestoga
#5 - St. Joe Prep

Aces win league opener

Today the Aces hosted Ridley, their 1st Central League opponent on the 2011 schedule. Although Ridley showed a little improvement from last year, they weren't much of a test for the talented young LM team. When it was all over the Aces got goals from 6 different players, including Tyler Niles, Matt Lindheim, Shane Votto, Marcelo Pernot, Roberto Bonilla, and a red hot Ben Hriscu, scoring in his 3rd consecutive game. LM keeper Connor Yu registered his 2nd shutout in 3 games, helping himself with a beautiful save on a first half breakaway.

This 7-0 win brought the Aces record to 3-0 overall, and 1-0 in Central League play. Next week's games include an away game on Tuesday at Radnor (3:45 PM), home on Thursday (3:45 PM) against powerful Conestoga (the heavy favorite to win the Central League Title again this year), and Saturday they host Central Bucks West at 3:00 PM on "LM Soccer Alumni Weekend".

Aces Keep Rolling

This past Tuesday the Aces traveled to Bonner for another non-league contest, and despite the rain, was able to get the game in. Junior Kenny Lassiter got hot for LM and scored twice, while Senior tri-captain Ben Hriscu continued his scoring streak, notching his 3rd goal of the season. With an own goal added for insurance, the only question was if junior Connor Yu could pick up his 1st varsity shutout, and he did, behind a strong LM defense, in a 4-0 Aces win.

The Central League opener with Ridley, and 1st home game, was cancelled today and rescheduled for tomorrow at 3:15 PM on the turf at Arnold Field. The 2011 Aces are now 2-0 for the season, and have found themselves ranked in many pre-season polls.

Aces win 2011 opener

Last year the 2010 LM Aces won the District 1 Title game against Conestoga on the lighted turf field at West Chester East High School. Opening their season this year against West Chester East, they found themselves playing on East's grass practice field, in attempt to slow down the Aces' speed & ball control game.

Undeterred, the Aces came out strong and got good scoring chances from junior Kenny Lassiter & freshman Marcelo Pernot but couldn't connect. Midway thru the 1st half senior tri-captain Ben Hriscu took a perfect Matt Lindhein corner kick and headed it past the East keeper. With 8 minutes left in the game East tied it at 1, and the game would go into OT. Hriscu got his 2nd goal of the day to give LM a 2-1 victory.

With rain scheduled for Tuesday's game with Bonner, and also Thursday's game against Ridley, the Aces may not see action until next week.