Truly PERFECT Week

In a rare Saturday Central League game the Aces blasted Penncrest on Arnold Field this morning 7-0. It was senior Francisco Palma leading the scoring barrage with his 2nd hat trick in the last two games. Junior Gian-Luca Hail and seniors Tyler Robinson, Matthew Mantell, & Eli Cohen all added solo goals for LM. But the biggest story so far this season has been the Aces' defense, anchored by junior goalkeeper Will Rosenbaum, and very consistent defensive play from juniors Evan Wolf & Gian-Luca Hail, and senior Jacob Fleisher.

This win improved LM's overall record to 10-0 (7-0 league) and are currently atop the Central League standings. Still on their league schedule are Marple, Harriton, Ridley, Springfield, & Garnet Valley. They have scored 22 goals during this streak and allowed 0. This week they play at Marple on Tuesday (3:45 PM) and at Harriton on Thursday (also at 3:45 PM). If you're in the area, and haven't made it to a game yet, come on out.

The Aces haven't had a start like this since 1989, when a team who had to live up to 2 straight State Finalists before them weren't about to take their foot off the gas (the 1987 team won the State Title and the 1988 team were State finalists). The '89 team began their season reeling off 10 straight wins, while outscoring their opponents 33-5. They tied their next game but went on to win their next 4 to improve their record to 14-0-1. They were ranked 3rd in the state before losing their 1st game of the season to Strath Haven 3-1.  However, injuries to many of their starters stopped them from making another deep playoff run. They ended with a 16-2-2 record.

The Real Deal

The Aces took their undefeated record into a key Central League contest today against perennial powerhouse Strath Haven. Haven came out strong, just missing 2 good scoring chances in the first 3 minutes. LM keeper Will Rosenbaum came up real big on one of them. After about 15 minutes the Aces settled in. In the 23rd minute Francisco Palma took a short corner kick and put it just inside the far post to give the Aces a 1-0 lead. Just before halfime it was Palma again, this time on a PK.

During the first half Haven relied on their long throw-in play for most of their offense but couldn't solve the Will Rosenbaum anchored defense. He came up with several outstanding saves to keep the Panthers off the board. With just 3 minutes remaining Palma got his hat trick on a breakaway and the 2013 LM defense was in the record books. They moved past the 1989 team by recording 8 shutouts in a row. Pretty impressive.

This key win keeps the Aces perfect, and I mean perfect; NO losses, NO ties, and NO goals allowed. They are 8-0 overall, with a 5-0 league record. Next up a rare Saturday league game, against Penncrest at LM.

In Fast Company

With their 1-0 win against Upper Darby yesterday, coming on a penalty kick by Francisco Palma with only 5 minutes left, it put the 2013 Aces in rare company. They are only the 2nd boy's soccer team in the school's history to post 7 shutouts in a row, the only other one coming in the 1989 season with Mike Strazzella in goal and Chuck Wurth as the sweeper.

This victory gives LM an overall record of 7-0 (4-0 league), and keeps their unscored upon streak alive. Next up is a huge Central League game this Thursday, on Arnold Field at 3:45 PM, against arch-rival Strath Haven, with league title ramifications. This will be a real good test for the Aces.

LM is ranked 4th in the Southeastern PA Soccer Coaches' Pool, but despite their very fast start, have yet to break into the Inquirer's top 10 (they are one of 3 teams listed as "under consideration"). With 2 of the top 10 teams having 3 losses, and another 3 having 2 losses, it looks like the committee is giving a lot of weight to strength of schedule.

LM Soccer Alumni Weekend

LM Soccer Alumni Weekend

Last Friday the LM Soccer Alumni weekend began with the 9^th Annual Steve Fountain Memorial Golf Tournament at Edgmont Golf Club. Over 40 golfers, many of them LM Soccer Alumni, had a great time supporting this wonderful cause. We thank all of you who played, were sponsors, or who donated to this special event.

Immediately following the golf event the 1968 League, District, & Inter-District Championship team came together at Edgmont Golf Club and enjoyed a 45^th year reunion. Fifteen of the players from that team, including wives, family members, & friends (and their coach Bob Robinson) gathered to watch that special team be inducted into the Lower Merion Boy’s Soccer Hall of Fame.

The annual “LM Soccer Alumni Game” was played the next morning on Arnold Field, with 18 past Aces’ players taking on a Radnor Alumni team, including 5 from the '68 team (pictured above with fellow teammates looking on). The players didn’t look like they lost a step, well maybe a few, and a good time was had by all. After the game the ’68 team members, those 5 who were playing in the game, as well as the others cheering them on from the sidelines, all met at Gullifty’s Restaurant to celebrate.

Hopefully next year we will be able to get enough LM Soccer Alumni out so we can have the game among ourselves. Please let me know if you’re in the area and would be willing to help us find current email addresses for other local LM Soccer Alumni (especially all you guys who graduated within the past 10 years). We have only been able to get a handful of you to come out & join us so far.

Fords Fall

The red hot LM Aces ran their overall record to 6-0 (3-0 league) and still have not surrendered a goal in 2013. It started quickly as the Aces scored in the first 44 seconds of the game off a rebound. About 6 minutes later LM doubled their lead scoring off a corner kick that was deflected in off a Ford defender. A third goal was added by senior Francisco Palma to round out the 3-0 final.

Next up for the Aces is a Saturday non-league game at Methacton at 11:00 AM.

LM Soccer Alumni Weekend begins tomorrow with the 9th annual Steve Fountain Memorial Golf Tournament at Edgmont Golf Club. Lunch begins at noon with a 1:00 PM shotgun. Following the golf event is the LM Soccer Reunion dinner beginning with cocktails at 6:00 PM and dinner at 7:00 PM.  Anyone interested in attending either of these events can register online at our LM Soccer Alumni website at www.lmsocceralum.org. Donations will also be accepted.

Saturday morning will feature the annual "Alumni Game" at 10:00 AM on Arnold, followed by a 1968 informal team get together at Gullifty's at 4:00 PM.

On The Move

After a blistering 4-0 start, and finding themselves ranked 6th in the Inquirer weekly ranking, the Aces faced off this afternoon against 2-time Central League Champion Conestoga.

LM showed the effects of not playing for a week and played a sluggish first 20 minutes. As the half wore on they began creating some good scoring opportunities but could not capitalize. With only 10 minutes remaining in the 1st half senior striker Francisco Palma took advantage of a defensive miscue in the Stoga end and put the Aces on top 1-0. The LM defense continued to protect keeper Will Rosenbaum and gave the Pioneers no good looks at the net, and the half ended 1-0.

As the 2nd half began Stoga ramped up it's offense and looked like they would tie it up. However the D remained strong and the Aces held on to the slim 1 goal advantage. It was the Pioneers controlling most of the 2nd half but the LM defense was just too tough. Senior Daniel Buckman once again played the role of the team's workhorse, but got a lot of support from the entire defense. Final score LM 1, Conestoga 0.

This was the 5th straight shutout win in as many games for the Aces, raising their overall record to 5-0 (2-0 league). They now have proved that they can win the close games, but they now need to generate a little more offense to allow for any defensive lapses.

Next up is another Central League home game this Thursday against Haverford High (3:45 PM), followed by a non-league contest on Saturday at Methacton (11:00 AM). 

Aces open league play

LM opened their 2013 Central League schedule last night against longtime rival Radnor. The Aces started strong but Radnor responded with some quick counters and after a fairly even played 1st half there was no score.

As the 2nd half began the intensity level rose, and LM began to get away from their possession game. This lasted most of the 2nd half, with neither team generating many scoring chances. With just under 6 minutes left in the game senior Eli Cohen finally solved the Raiders defense and gave the Aces a 1-0 lead. Just two minutes later LM was awarded a penalty kick, and Cohen was called on again. He calmly converted to give the Aces a 2-0 win, hard fought, but not pretty. This was the 4th straight shutout in as many games for the Aces & junior goalkeeper Will Rosenbaum.

This victory brought LM's overall record to 4-0 (1-0 league). Next up for the Aces is another big Central League contest next Tuesday, September 17th, on Arnold Field at 3:45 PM.

Aces Stay Perfect

This morning the LM boy's soccer team recorded their 3rd shutout win in as many games, defeating a game Friends Central team 2-0. Just 15 minutes in senior Francisco Palma, a transfer from Portugal, gave LM a 1-0 lead. He took a long ball on 1 bounce, lofted a kick over the head of the charging Friends Central keeper, and then headed it into an open net. The next 40 minutes were played pretty even, with most of the action in the midfield third of the field. With just 5 minutes remaining in the game senior Francisco Palma scored on a breakaway after beating the helpless Friends Central goalkeeper.

This was the 3rd shutout for Aces' goalkeeper, junior Will Rosenbaum (nephew of standout LM goalkeeper Ken Morgenstern '87. Next up is a night game this coming Tuesday at Radnor (7:00 PM tap). This will be the 1st Central League game for both teams. Let's get a good LM soccer alumni turnout as it's the only night game of the season.

All the teams in the usually strong Central League have lost many quality players so it's pretty wide open this year. Conestoga, Upper Darby, & Strath Haven will figure in the mix, and the Aces also hope to make their case for a playoff spot in October. LM lost 7 starters from last year's league runner-up, but have a senior heavy roster this year (10), with 4 juniors & 3 sophmores. They will be starting 2 of the sophmores, Russell Peck & Quinn Vagnoni. Senior Tyler Robinson & junior Gian-Luca Hail will anchor the defense, senior Daniel Buckman will be the workhorse in the midfield (also taking the team's long throw-ins), and senior transfer Francisco Palma will be expected to handle a good share of the scoring load.

   

Roll on

The LM Aces improved their record to 2-0 this season with a 2-0 shutout win at Bonner. Adam Holtz & Francisco Palma provided the scoring while goalkeeper Will Rosenbaum  picked up his 2nd shutout in as many starts.

The Aces open their home schedule this Saturday with a 10:00 AM game against Friends Central. I will be previewing this year's squad in my next blog.

Good Start

The 2013 LM Aces opened their season yesterday morning with a dramatic 1-0 double overtime win against non-league rival West Chester East. Eli Cohen scored in the 2nd overtime period with an assist from Russell Peck. LM goalkeeper Will Rosenbaum stopped all 5 shots he faced to record the shutout for the Aces.

Next up for LM is another non-league contest at Bonner this coming Tuesday at 3:45 PM.