Big Finish

The Aces finished their regular season in style last night by defeating highly ranked Unionville 1-0. Matt Lindheim got the goal from an assist by Kenny Lassiter. This brought LM's overall record to an impressive 15-2, with 10 shutouts. The Aces now wait for tomorrow's District 1 playoff seeding meeting to see who their 1st round opponent will be. LM will definitely be hosting a 1st round game this coming Tuesday at 3 PM on the turf at Arnold Field, and should they win, will host a 2nd round game on Thursday at 3 PM. All the 1st round match-ups will be posted here by tomorrow evening.

PA Boy's Soccer Playoff History

The District 1 playoffs began in 1954, with the 2 best teams in the district playing for the title. There are now 28 teams competing for this coveted "AAA" District 1 Title each year. District 1 playoffs have also been added for smaller schools, "AA" and "A". Lower Merion has won 7 "AAA" District 1 Titles in all, including the very 1st one in 1954, and last year as well (see picture above) while finishing 2nd 6 other times.

Also in 1954 the Inter-District playoffs were added (and were played until 1972), where the District 1 champion would play against the District 3 champion for the unofficial "State Championship" (as these 2 districts were by far the strongest soccer districts in the state at that time). Lower Merion won 1 Inter-District Title (in 1968), and finished 2nd 3 other times.

The PA State playoffs, between all the soccer-playing district in PA, began in 1973, and an official PIAA State Champion was declared. Since then state playoffs have been added in both the "AA" & "A" classes. Lower Merion won the PIAA "AAA" State Title in 1987, with 2 runner-up finishes in 1984 & 1988.

To see the results of every Lower Merion playoff game, from 1954 thru 2010, visit the LM Soccer Alumni website at: lmsocceralum.org. Click on "The Record Book", and then on "Playoff Records". While you're there check out all the other records; composite records over the years, records against opponents, all-league selections, individual records, team records, Hall of Fame, even JV & Freshman records, and much more.