A Must Win

The Marple Newtown Tigers came into this Central League match-up having allowed only 2 goals in their 1st 7 league games, while the Aces have averaged almost 4 goals per game in their 7. Something had to give.

Just 2 minutes into the game, it was the Tigers who blinked first. LM's Noah Blodget noticed that Marple's goalie had been playing way off his line, and from 45 yards out he turned quickly with the ball and put a bullet over the helpless keeper's head, 1-0 Aces. Only 60 seconds later LM almost doubled their lead when Ben Hriscu took a thru ball and chipped it over the keeper's head once again, but it sailed just over the crossbar. 1-0 Aces at halftime.

In the 2nd half the Tigers came out strong and took away LM's momentum, even getting a couple of scoring opportunities of their own, but it was a case of the Aces defense bending but not breaking. When Hriscu got loose in the box 10 minutes later, and from a difficult angle ripped a shot past the diving Marple goalie, the game was as good as over. This took the life out of the Tigers upset hopes, and LM came away with a 2-0 victory.

This win brought LM's overall record to 11-1, 7-1 league, and gave them their 8th shutout of the season. Unfortunately Conestoga also won their game, beating Strath Haven 1-0 in the last 2 minutes of the game (their 3rd 1-goal win in a row), and stayed 1 game ahead of the Aces in the league title race. Both teams have 3 league games remaining.

LM is off until next Tuesday, when they travel to Harriton for their 1st night game of the season (7:00 PM).