Friday, September 28, 2012

Pressure Game

Last Thursday night LM traveled to Penncrest for still another key Central League contest. The Lions were winless in league play so far, and a win would put the Aces in a tie for 2nd place, with a chance to pass 1st place Harriton next week. However, things didn't work out in LM's favor, and after a 2-0 loss their hopes for a Central League Title are now a long shot.

With 5 Central League games left here are the current standings:

5-1-0 - Harriton
4-1-1 - Radnor
4-2-0 - Conestoga
4-2-0 - Upper Darby
4-2-0 - Strath Haven
3-2-1 - Lower Merion
3-2-1 - Springfield
3-3-0 - Haverford
1-2-3 - Penncrest
1-5-0 - Marple
0-5-1 - Ridley
0-5-1 - Garnet Valley

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

LM beats Haven in OT

With 7 minutes remaining in double overtime Senior Greg Levy found junior David Baer with a nice cross to give the Aces a key 1-0 Central League win over arch-rival Strath Haven. Goalkeeper Connor Yu had 4 saves to post his 4th shutout of the season. This was LM's 3rd straight win (all Central League games) and brought their overall record to 7-1-1, good enough to be ranked #6 in the Philadelphia Inquirer soccer rankings.

Monday, September 24, 2012

Alumni Weekend Madness

First let me bring you up to date on the 2012 Aces. Last Thursday LM recorded a convincing 2-0 Central League win against the Fords of Haverford, giving the young Aces their 3rd shutout of the season.

This past Saturday, in the middle of "LM Soccer Alumni Weekend", they took on Upper Darby in another Central League match that they had to win to keep their League Title hopes alive. With many Alumni looking on junior Tyler Robinson opened the scoring on a beautiful 1st time volley from a long throw-in by Greg Levy. With just 6 minutes gone in the 2nd half the Aces were awarded a PK and tri-captain Matt Lindheim converted to make it 2-0. The Royals, coached by LM Soccer Alumnus Tom Farr, were putting pressure on LM's goal all game and finally got one by keeper Connor Yu late in the game to make it 2-1. There was no more scoring and the Aces lifted their Central League record to 2-1-1 (6-1-1 overall).

This week it's Strath Haven away on Tuesday afternoon (3:45 PM), and a night game at Penncrest on Thursday (7:00 PM).
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LM SOCCER ALUMNI WEEKEND

Last Friday "LM Soccer Alumni Weekend" began with the 8th annual Steve Fountain Memorial Golf Tournament at Edgmont Country Club, with a group of almost 50 golfers taking part. Under sunny skies there was a lot of good golf, good food, and good fun, all for a great cause.

That same evening members of LM's 1987 PA State Championship Soccer Team got together to celebrate the 25th anniversary of that magical season, as well as their induction into the Lower Merion Soccer Hall of Fame. From left to right: Head Coach Bob Robinson, Will McIlvaine, Assistant Coach Bob Davidson, Dan Maas (in back), Michael Goldberg, Jim Swartz, Drew Misher, Jason DiLullo (in back), Greg Canally (in back), Chris Schreiner (in middle), Jim Van Dusen, Matt Fine, Brian Vernick, Greg Knepper, and Derek Goodman.
Also present at the event were '87 team managers Talia Wurtzel & Katie Callahan, as well as many family members & friends.

The next day, following the LM-Upper Darby game, the LM Soccer Alumni team took the field against a local Radnor club team in the annual "Alumni Game". During a very well played game each player exhibited those signs of greatness that made them the accomplished players they were "back in the day".

Front row L to R: Tim Lord ('99), Greg Canally ('88), Jim VanDusen ('89), Chris Schreiner ('89), Michael Goldberg ('88), Middle Row L to R: David Urban ('86), Luke Coyle ('00), Ryan Courtney ('01), Michael Canter ('82), Dan Maas ('89), Jim Swartz ('88), Greg Knepper ('88), Drew Misher ('88), Back Row L to R: Bart Brenner ('83), Andrew Sherman ('89), Will McIlvaine ('88), Kip Ferguson ('74), Ben Eisner ('78), Bob Robinson, Bob Davidson ('64). Missing from picture is John DePrince ('83)
As '87 managers Talia Wurtzel (left), Katie Callahan (center), & friends looked on, the Aces Alumni team jumped out to a 1-0 lead on a goal by Ryan Courtney. Radnor then scored 2 unanswered goals to take a 2-1 lead into halftime. Midway thru the 2nd half Jim VanDusen hit the crossbar off a long throw from Brian Vernick. A few minutes later Drew Misher got the equalizer and everyone knew the next goal would be huge. Unfortunately Radnor got the game winner with 7 minutes remaining, but it was quite a showcase for the LM Soccer Alumni that demonstrated they still had game.

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

LM Soccer Hall of Fame Inductees

Congratulations to the 1987 PA State Champion LM Soccer Aces, the 2012 inductee into the Lower Merion Soccer Hall of Fame. They will be officially inducted this Friday night, at Edgmont Golf Club, at the 25th year anniversary of their magical season. Their induction bio reads like this:


Sixth Inductee Class, September, 2012

The 1987 State Champion Boy’s Soccer Team:

As of the end of last season, the 1987 LM Boy’s Soccer Team was the 1st, and only, LM boy’s soccer team to win the PIAA State  Soccer Championship.

The ’87 Aces finished the season with an overall record of 22-1-5, a school record for both total wins in a single season and best overall record in a single season, both of which still stand today. They also recorded 14 shutouts, which at that time was also a school record but has since been broken. 

In a must win situation in the last Central League game of the season they defeated defending League, District, & State Champion Strath Haven 1-0 to earn a share of the Central League Title with Strath Haven. This represented LM’s 4th consecutive Central League Title. They then lost to Central Bucks East on penalty kicks in the District One semi-final before moving through to the PIAA State Tournament as District One’s 3rd seed.

In the State Tournament semi-finals they met arch-rival Strath Haven once again, and after 110 minutes of soccer ended in a 1-1 tie, they beat the Panthers on sudden-victory penalty kicks. In the State Final against Pittsburgh powerhouse Fox Chapel the ’87 Aces needed overtime again, after another 1-1 tie. With only minutes remaining in the 1st overtime period Tri-Captain Drew Misher connected on a penalty kick to give LM their 1st PIAA State Boy’s Soccer Championship.

Besides placing an unprecedented 8 players on the All-Main Line team, the ’87 Aces also put 7 players on the All-Central League team, 2 on the All-District One team, and 1 on the Regional All-America team. 

Many of these players went on to have stellar college soccer careers, and quite a few are still active, playing club soccer and coaching at various levels.

Sunday, September 16, 2012

Big Week

Thursday - Haverford High, away, at 3:45 PM

Friday & Saturday -
"LM SOCCER ALUMNI WEEKEND"

* Friday, 12 Noon - 8th annual Steve Fountain Memorial Golf Event
* Friday, 7:00 PM - LM Soccer Reunion Dinner
(both of the above events will be held at Edgmont Golf Club)

* Saturday, 10:00 AM - LM vs. Upper Darby
* Saturday, 11:45 AM - Annual LM Soccer Alumni Game
(both of the above events held at Arnold Field
* Saturday, 5:00 PM - Informal get together at Gullifty's
(the above open to all LM Soccer Alumni, family & friends)

If you would like to join us at any of the above LM Soccer Alumni Weekend events please email Bob Davidson at bubdavidson@comcast.net for details.

Friday, September 14, 2012

Central League Challenges

The Aces opened their 2012 Central League schedule with a 0-0 tie with Radnor last Tuesday, with the high-scoring offense of the first 4 non-league games conspicuously absent. It didn't get any better yesterday as LM traveled to Conestoga to take on the defending Central League champions. Again the defense played well but they couldn't solve the 'Stoga defense, falling 1-0.

This brings the Aces Central League record to 0-1-1, with a 4-1-1 overall mark. Next Thursday they travel to Haverford High for another Central League contest, which should be considered, even at this early stage in the season, a must win.

Monday, September 10, 2012

Unblemished & ready for league play

The Aces defeated Plymouth Whitemarsh 2-1 last Saturday, improving their overall record to 4-0. Central League play opens Tuesday when LM hosts neighborhood rival Radnor at 3:45 PM on the turf at Arnold Field. It only gets tougher from there as they travel to defending Central League, District 1, and State Champion Conestoga for a night game on Thursday at 7 PM. Come on out and take a look.

We are still looking for players for our annual LM Soccer "Alumni Game", which will be played on Saturday, September 22nd, at 11:45 AM, on the grass soccer field at Arnold Field. Lunch will be provided for all players & their families after the game but we need a confirmation soon so we know how many lunches to order. If you're interested in playing this year please email me at bubdavidson@comcast.net.


Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Perfect thru 3

After thumping West Chester East 4-0 in the season opener, and spotting Bonner a 2-0 lead in their 2nd game on two early penalty kicks, before scoring 4 unanswered goals to win 4-3, the 2012 Aces kept up the offensive onslaught today against Cardinal O'Hara.

LM's Senior tri-captain Matt Lindheim opened the scoring early in the game, and 5 minutes later Greg Levy's long throw-in was right on the mark as junior David Baer doubled the Aces' lead. Lindheim made it 3-0 with a pretty breakaway goal just before halftime. The 2nd half saw 4 more quality LM goals (junior Eli Cohen, sophomore Evan Wolf, senior Mark Abi-Khatter on a highlite reel half volley, and junior Tyler Robinson), as the Aces recorded a 7-1 win.

Next up is another non-league contest with Plymouth Whitemarsh on September 8th, before beginning Central League play on September 11th at home against Radnor.

 LM Soccer Alumni Weekend begins just 2 weeks from Friday. We are looking for a few more sponsors for the Friday, September 21st, 8th Annual Steve Fountain Memorial Golf Event, as well as more players. It is played in a scramble format so you don't have to be a good player to have fun & do well. And. it's for a great cause. To become a sponsor, or register as a golfer, go to the LM Soccer Alumni website at lmsocceralum.org and click on "Steve Fountain". You can do it all there.

Immediately following the Steve Fountain golf event at Edgemont Golf Club on September 21st we will be holding the 2nd LM Soccer Alumni Dinner, the last one being in 2007. LM Soccer Alumni from every year are invited, as we will be celebrating the 25th anniversary of the 1987 LM Aces State Soccer Championship, Most of the players & coaches from that magical season will be in attendance. You don't want to miss it. It will be held at Edgmont Golf Club and begin with cocktails at 7:30 PM. The cost is $65 per person, and includes the dinner & open bar all evening. You can make checks payable to "LMSAA" and send them to: Jim VanDusen, 800 Maple Glen Lane, Wayne, PA 19087-4727.

On Saturday, September 22nd, at 10 AM on the turf at Arnold Field, the current LM Aces take on Upper Darby in an important Central League contest. Come on out and support the 2012 Aces. At 11:45 that same morning, on the grass soccer field adjacent to the turf field, we will be holding our annual LM Soccer Alumni Game. We desperately need more players, as the 1987 State Championship team (average age being 44) is taking on all the LM Soccer Alumni from other years. This should be something to see.

After the Alumni Game lunch will be served on the field to all LM Soccer Alumni & their families at no charge. We do need an accurate count for the caterer by Monday, September 17th, so please email Bob Davidson at bubdavidson@comcast.net if you plan on participating, and how many lunches you will need. Let's make this year our biggest turnout ever.

Monday, September 3, 2012

Off & Running...again

The 2012 LM Soccer Aces opened their new season last Saturday with an impressive 4-0 over non-league opponent West Chester East. On the same day defending State Champion Conestoga, coming off an undefeated season in 2011, was shocked by Great Valley 1-0. Next up for the Aces is another non-league contest Tuesday, this time against Catholic League South rival Bonner.