LM's Individual Soccer Record Holders

District 1 Playoff Results from last night:
*Great Valley beat Conestoga 2-2 (5-4 PK's) in one semi-final
*Downingtown W. beat W.C. Rustin 3-0 in the other
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LMHS Boy's Soccer Individual Records

Most Goals Scored
in a Single Game

(6)
(L) Arthur Campbell - '41
(R) Walter Lownes - '43

Most Goals Scored
in 1 Season & in a
Career

(31) - 1965, (64) - '63, '64, & '65
Steve Davidson

Most Shutouts in
a Single Season
                                      

(16)                                  
Jason DiLullo - 1988
                                          (16) Will Rosenbaum - 2013
                                           





Most Varsity Games
Played in a Career

(81)
Chris Schreiner
1986, '87, & '88




Most Shutouts
in a Career

(34)
Drew Cotler
2003, '04, '05, & '06

LM Soccer Fast Facts

* LM's 913 total high school wins (1924 thru 2013) ranked 3rd in PA at last check
* LM has won 21 Surburban 1 League Titles in the 35 years they were members (1931 thru 1966)
* LM has won 11 Central League Titles (1967 thru 2013)
* LM has won 7 District 1 Titles, with 6 runner-up finishes (1954 thru 2013)
* LM has won 1 PIAA State Title, with 2 runner-up finishes (1972 thru 2013)
* LM has qualified for the District 1 playoffs 35 times since they began 59 years ago, including 13 consecutive years from 1984 thru 1996
* LM has qualified for the PIAA State Playoffs 8 times since they began 41 years ago, including 5 straight from 1984 thru1988
* LM has had a player voted to the High School All-America team 12 times, including 8 straight from 1987 thru 1994

Rankings

With the Aces' PK loss to Downingtown West last week they fell to #5 in the Southeast PA Coaches' Association Soccer Poll, as still undefeated Great Valley took over the #1 spot from Father Judge. Below are the top 10:

#1 - Great Valley (20-0)
#2 - Father Judge (19-1)
#3 - Hill School (16-1)
#4 - Conestoga (16-4-1)
#5 - LOWER MERION (16-1)
#6 - Holy Ghost Prep (16-3)
#7 - West Chester Rustin (16-4)
#8 - Neshaminy (15-1-3)
#9 - Downingtown West (12-3-1)
#10 - C.B. East (14-4)

The District 1 semi-finals will be played tomorrow night as a double-header at West Chester East High School. At 5:30 PM Great Valley will take on Conestoga, and at 7:30 PM it will be Downingtown West facing off against West Chester Rustin. The District final & 3rd place game will be played eiher November 1st or 2nd at a site TBA. All 4 teams will advance to the PIAA State Playoffs, along with the playback winner from the teams who lost in the quarter-finals.

I will continue to post throughout the District & State playoffs with posts that include; playoff results, some "Blasts from the Past", the history of the PIAA State Playoffs, Aces' Fast Facts, and more.   

LM's Playoff Elite

Below are listed the top 4 LM boy's soccer teams, ranked by the number of playoff games won in a single season.

#1 - 1988 District 1 Champions & State Runner-Up

8 playoff wins

1 playoff loss (in State Final)

#2 - 1987 Central League Champions & PIAA State Champions

7 playoff wins

1 playoff loss (on PK's)

#3 - 1984 Central League Champions & PIAA State Runners-Up

7 playoff wins

2 playoff losses 



#4 - 2010 District 1 Champions

6 playoff wins
* allowing 0 goals in 5 District playoff games

1 playoff loss
                         

Playoff Results

Great Valley, after dodging a PK bullet in the 2nd round, seemed to get their game together and crushed Bensalem 4-1 to earn a trip to the District 1 final four.

Conestoga continued to ride a wave of good fortune, and after a 0-0 tie with W.C. Henderson advanced to the District 1 semi-finals with their 2nd straight PK decision (this time 3-2).

Downingtown West, the 4th place team in the Ches-Mont league and a PK winner against the Aces in the 2nd round, punched their ticket to the District 1 semi-finals with a 2-1 win over C.B. West.

West Chester Rustin, the 5th place team in the Ches-Mont league, continued it's cinderella story with a 3-2 victory over William Tennent and found themselves in their 1st ever District 1 semi-final.

* All 4 winners will also advance to the PIAA State Playoffs. The 4 teams losing in the quarter-finals will playback for District 1's first ever 5th spot in the PIAA State Playoffs. 

2013 All-Central League Picks

The 2013 Central League Champion Aces were very well represented on the All-Central League list:

1st Team - Seniors Tri-Captain David Baer & Francisco Palma, & Junior Tri-Captain Goalkeeper Will Rosenbaum

2nd Team: Seniors Tri-Captain Daniel Buckman & Eli Cohen

Honorable Mention: Senior Tyler Robinson & Junior Gian-Luca Hail

These seniors, as well as seniors Jacob Fleisher, Matt Mantell, Facundo Fernandez-Duque, Keven Deng, & Adam Holtz will be sorely missed next year. 

 

Looking Back

                                  2013 Central League Champions

Before we look back at an exceptional season let's take a look at the very unusual results from yesterday's 2nd round District Playoffs.

The #4 seed C.B. East lost on PK's 1-1 (5-4) to Constoga
The #3 seed Neshaminy lost on PK's 0-0 (5-4) to W.C. Rustin
The #2 seed Lower Merion lost on PK's 0-0 (5-4) to Down. West
The #1 seed Great Valley won on PK's after a 0-0 tie

Ironically, the Aces beat 2 of the teams, during the regular season, who are still left in the upper half of the bracket (Conestoga & C.B. West).
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It's always very disheartening ending a great season with a loss, especially coming in a PK shootout. But after the disappointment begins to fade, both the Aces' players, and coaches, will realize how special this season was. Despite not going as far in the playoffs as they would have liked, they have to look at a regular season that proved exceptional in so many ways.

1/ They won the 2013 Central League Championship
2/ They won their first 12 games with shutouts
3/ They added 4 more wins, 3 of those also shutouts, to finish a perfect 16-0 regular season
4/ Only 1 team scored on them all season
5/ Will Rosenbaum (with help from an outstanding defense) tied a school record for most shutouts in a season (16)
6/ They also tied school records for most wins in a regular season (16) & fewest losses in a season (1)
7/ They set school records for; best league record (11-0-0), most shutouts in a regular season (15), most consecutive shutouts (12) & fewest goals allowed in a season (2)

Best of luck to the 12 seniors who will be moving on; Jacob Fleisher, Eli Cohen, Matt Mantell, Facundo Fernandez-Duque, Tyler Robinson, Francisco Palma, Kevin Deng, Adam Holtz, and captains David Baer & Daniel Buckman

I will be posting the names of the All-Central League honorees as soon as they become available.   

2nd Round Playoff Game

In their 2nd round playoff game this afternoon against Downingtown West the Aces started strong. They controlled the play, limiting Downingtown to a few quick counter attacks. However, despite a couple good scoring chances LM could not put one home. Downingtown settled into their passing game and came up with a few good scoring opportunities of their own, but the LM defense didn't break. With 8 minutes remaining in the 1st half Gian-Luca Hail hit the crossbar with a header off a free kick but the ball was cleared, 0-0 at half.

In the 2nd half Francisco Palma also got off a good header from a free kick but it sailed over the goal. Downingtown's passing attack was picking up as they were able to find the open man, but they still couldn't solve the Aces' defense. All of LM's offense was coming off free kicks & long throw-ins and with just 7 minutes left David Baer's header went just wide of the West goal. With time winding down Hail made an outstanding defensive play to keep the game scoreless and we were into OT.

The Aces got most of the scoring chances throughout both 15 minute overtimes but just couldn't connect. With just seconds remaining in the 2nd OT LM's Daniel Buckman, playing one of his best games of the season, headed a sure West goal wide of the net and it was on to PK's.

Downingtown connected on their 1st PK and the Aces' Francisco Palma answered. West then converted their 2nd while Eli Cohen did the same. West's 3rd kick was as good as the first 3 but Tyler Robinson kept it even. Both teams scored on their 4th kicks, with LM's David Baer scoring for the Aces. It all came down to the final kicker, and Downingtown connected once again. Aces' keeper Will Rosenbaum had little chance on any of the kicks as they were all very well placed. Daniel Buckman was LM's last kicker and West's keeper made a brilliant save to end the Aces' storybook season.

It was a shame to end such a magical season this way, but with PK's it's a crap shoot. More tomorrow on this wonderful Aces' season.

1st Round Playoff Results

The Aces 2nd round opponent will be 18th seed Downingtown West, a 2-1 overtime winner last night against #15 seed C.B. South. In the same bracket #26 Ridley upset highly touted #7 North Penn 5-4 in PK's after a 1-1 tie, and #23 Radnor lost 1-0 to C.B. West. The winner of LM's Thursday playoff game against Downingtown West will play the winner of the Thursday Ridley vs. C.B. West contest.

In other playoff action involving Central League teams;
#20 Conestoga nipped #13 Perkiomen Valley 1-0
#26 Ridley beat #7 North Penn on PK's 5-4 after 1-1 tie in regulation
#19 Strath Haven lost 1-0 to #14 West Chester Rustin
$25 Harriton lost 1-0 to #8 Plymouth Whitemarsh in another close one
$23 Radnor lost still another 1 goal game 1-0 to #10 C.B. West

For all the results go to:
http://district-one.net/article/content/2013-piaa-district-one-aaa-boys-soccer-bracket-0

Playoffs Begin Today

The 2013 District 1 Playoffs begin today with 12 first round games. The Aces, along with Great Valley, Neshaminy, & C.B. East received 1st round byes and will play their first playoff games on Thursday.

LM will face the winner of tonight's 1st round game between #15 seed C.B. South & #18 seed Downingtown West on Thursday. That Thursday 2nd round playoff game will be played at LM on the turf at Arnold Field. Game time is 3:00 PM.

Below is this week's Southeastern PA Soccer Coaches' Top 10 Poll:

1 - Great Valley (18-0-0)
2 - Lower Merion - (16-0-0)
3 - Father Judge (17-1-0)
4 - Neshaminy (15-0-3)
5 - Hill School (13-1-0)
6 - C.B. East (14-3-0)
7 - North Penn (14-2-2)
8 - Holy Ghose Prep (11-3-3)
9 - Haverford School (12-3-0)
10 - St. Joe Prep (11-3-3)

* It looks like the District 1 seeding committee pretty much agrees with this poll, except for a few exceptions.

Central League teams in playoffs

The Central League had 6 teams qualify for the District 1 Playoffs this year. Over the past 28 years a Central League team has won the District 1 Championship 9 times, almost double the number of times of the next closest District 1 league.

#2 seed - Lower Merion
#19 seed Strath Haven
#20 seed Conestoga
#23 seed Radnor
#25 seed Harriton
#26 seed Ridley

Brackets are set

At this morning's District 1 seeding meeting the Aces were seeded 2nd, right behind Great Valley. Neshaminy got the #3 spot with C.B. East at #4. All 4 of these teams drew a bye in the 1st round.

LM's opponent in the 2nd round will be the winner of Tuesday's match-up between #15 C.B. South & #18 Downingtown West. That game will be played this Thursday at LM's Arnold Field (on the turf) at 3:00 PM. This year District 1 will send 5 teams (not their usual 4) to the PIAA State Playoffs.

District 1 Playoffs Past Results

In the past 30 seasons, from 1984 through 2013, the LM Aces have qualified for the District One "AAA" (big school) Playoffs 24 times. The longest LM consecutive streak has been 13 in a row (from '84 through '96), which is most impressive as only the Central League champion (and possibly the runner-up) could qualify thru most of the 80's. The current LM consecutive streak stands at 11 ('03 through '13) and counting.

Below I have listed the Aces' District Playoff results for the past 5 seasons:
* The top 4 seeded teams each year receive a bye in the 1st round


2012
2-1 vs. C.B. West in 1st Round
1-2 vs. North Penn in 2nd Round

2011
1-2 OT vs. Council Rock South in 2nd Round (Bye)


2010
5-0 vs. Chi-Chester in 1st Round
2-0 vs. Marple in 2nd Round
0-0 (won on PK's) vs. Pennridge in Quarter-Final
1-0 vs. Pennsbury in Semi-Final
0-0 (won on PK's) vs. Conestoga for District Title
* Went on to State Playoffs

2009
2-0 vs. Great Valley in 2nd Round (Bye)
1-1 (lost on PK's) vs. Downingtown West in Quarter-Final

2008
3-2 vs. C.B. South in 2nd Round (Bye)
3-0 vs. Radnor in Quarter-Final
1-1 (lost on PK's) vs. Neshaminy in Semi-Final
1-0 vs. C.B. East in 3rd Place Game
* Went on to State Playoffs

League Standings & Ranking

                    Lower Merion Aces - 2013 Central League Champions

2013 Central League Standings (top 6 of 12 teams), with overall record in (   )

11-0-0  Lower Merion (16-0-0)
 8-2-1  Conestoga (13-4-1)
 8-2-1  Strath Haven (10-5-2)
 8-3-0  Radnor (10-4-2)
 6-3-2  Harriton (9-5-2)
 6-4-1  Ridley (10-4-1)

The soccer rankings as of this past Wednesday are as follows:

Southeastern PA Soccer Coaches Poll
1 - Father Judge (16-0-0) has since lost
2 - Great Valley (16-0-0)
3 - Lower Merion (16-0-0)
4 - Neshaminy (12-0-3)
5 - Hill School (12-1-0)
6 - C. B. East (13-3-0)
7 - North Penn (12-2-2)
8 - Holy Ghost Prep (12-3-0)
9 - Haverford School (10-3-0)
10 - St. Joe Prep (10-3-3)

Philadelphia Inquirer Poll
1 - Father Judge (16-0-0) has since lost
2 - C. B. East (13-3-0)
3 - Neshaminy (12-0-3)
4 - Holy Ghost Prep (12-3-0)
5 - North Penn (12-2-2)
6 - Haverford School (10-3-0)
7 - Lower Merion (16-0-0)
8 - Great Valley (16-0-0)
9 - St. Joe Prep (10-3-3)
10 - C. B. West (10-6-1)

Record Books

The 2013 Central League Champion LM Aces' boy's soccer team has had quite an effect on the Lower Merion soccer record books so far this season.

Individual Records:

The record for Most shutouts by a goalkeeper in a single season (16 by Jason Dilullo in 1988), once seemed untouchable, could very well be tied or broken this year. So far junior LM keeper Will Rosenbaum has 15, with the playoffs still in front of him.

Team Records:

First, here are the team records that have been broken so far this season;

* Best overall league record, was 8-0 (1963, '64, '65) now 11-0 (2013)
* Most shutouts in a regular season, was 12 (1989 & 2008), now 15 (2013)
* Most consecutive shutouts, was 7 (1944 & 1989), now 12 (2013)


Next, here are the team records that have been tied so far this year;
 
* Most wins in a regular season, 16 (1989 & 2013)

Lastly, here are the team records that are in range to be tied or broken;

* Most consecutive wins in a single season, 17 (1965), have 16
* Fewest losses in a single season, 1 (1933, '43, '44, '50, '59, '64, '65, '67, '68, '87), have 0
* Most shutouts in a single season, 17 (1988), have 15
* Fewest goals allowed in a single season, 5 (.31 per game, 1944), have 2 (.12 per game)
* Best District 1 finish, 1st (1954, '58, '65, '68, '88, '07, '10)
* Best State finish, 1st (1987) 

District One Playoff History

1987 Aces are the only LM boy's soccer team who have won a PIAA State Championship

Since the 2013 District One boy's soccer playoffs are getting ready to start next week, let's look back at when they began, and how they developed.

The District One Boy's Soccer Playoffs began 60 years ago in 1954, when the powers to be decided it would be nice to follow basketball's lead and add a post season to the schedule. It was agreed on that the 2 best teams in the district (determined by record and strength of league) would play a single game to earn the title of District One Champion. The Lower Merion Aces beat Bethlehem Liberty 3-1 in this historic game. Since then LM has won 6 more District One Titles, and finished 2nd an additional 6 times.

The playoff field was then expanded to 4 teams in 1962, and then to 8 in 1965. In 1973 they expanded once again, with each league champion taking part, along with several more teams from the stronger leagues. The match-ups were determined before the season began, i.e. Central League 1st place vs. Suburban One 2nd place, Del-Val 1st place vs. Chesmont 2nd place, etc.

In the early-80's District One created 3 playoff classes, each playing for their own district championship; AAA (large schools), AA (midsize schools), and A (small schools). In the mid-90's a seeding committee was formed, with each league getting representation, and the teams were seeded by record, league standing, and strength of schedule. Now, in the upcoming 2013 AAA District One Playoffs, there are 28 teams vying for the coveted AAA title.

Below is the link to the District 1 Playoff brackets, with dates & other info. The brackets will be blank until this Sunday evening, when all the seeding has been completed. Then all the playoff teams chosen will be entered according to their seed.

http://www.district-one.net/article/content/2013-piaa-district-one-boys-soccer-aaa-bracket

Regular Season Over

This afternoon the Aces hosted Ridley in their last regular season game of the 2013 season (as Thursday's game with Upper Dublin was cancelled due to an Upper Dublin conflict).

LM started slow once again, with Ridley carrying the early play. The Raiders had good speed and marked well. With a winning record in league play Ridley has a lot to play for. After a somewhat uneventful 1st half there was no score.

The Aces came out much stronger in the 2nd half generating a few good scoring chances. Midway thru the 2nd half LM got on the board with a David Baer header coming off a long throw-in by Daniel Buckman. Ridley responded with some pressure of their own but couldn't penetrate the Aces' defense. With just over 12 minutes remaining Francisco Palma scored from a scramble in front to put LM up 2-0. The defense took over from there and closed out their 15th shutout in 16 games 2-0.

The 2013 Aces are Central League Champions with an unblemished record of 11-0. This is the first time since 1965 that an LM boy's soccer team has completed league play with a perfect record.

This Sunday the District One soccer committee will get together and pick and seed all the teams that will take part in the District One Playoffs. The Aces will surely draw a first round bye so they will not play their 1st District Playoff game until next Thursday, October 24th. The game will be at Arnold Field at 3:00 PM against the winner of a 1st round game to be announced. On Sunday evening I will post a link here on the blog that will take you to the master seeding chart.

Over the next couple of days I will be posting; the history of the Distict One playoffs, how this 2013 team has impacted the LM boy's soccer individual & team records so far, the latest boy's soccer rankings, as well as other features.

CONGRATS to the 2013 Aces for their historic regular season.

* CAPS denote League games
* red denotes night games

2013 SCHEDULE
  
1-0 OT win vs. W. C. East 
2-0 win vs. Bonner
2-0 win vs. Friends Central
2-0 win vs. RADNOR
1-0 win vs. CONESTOGA
3-0 win vs. HAVERFORD HIGH 
1-0 win vs. UPPER DARBY
3-0 win vs. STRATH HAVEN
7-0 win vs. PENNCREST 
4-0 win vs. MARPLE NEWTOWN
2-0 win vs. HARRITON
3-0 win vs. Central Bucks West
3-2 win vs. GARNET VALLEY
10-0 win vs. Archbishop Carroll
3-0 win vs. SPRINGFIELD
2-0 win vs. RIDLEY

Overall Record: 16-0-0
League Record: 11-0-0
Goals for 49, Goals against 2

Winding Down

The Aces made up their rain out with Springfield today on a field that has always given LM problems. The beginning of the game produced very little good soccer and a lot of jawing, physical play, and several yellow cards. Neither team could generate much offense until the Aces were awarded a PK with only 13 minutes left in the half. Francisco Palma converted to give LM a 1-0 halftime lead.

The Aces began to settle down 5 minutes into the 2nd half and took control of the game. They put shot after shot on the Cougar keeper but just couldn't find the back of the net. A real turning point came with 17 minutes left and LM clinging to a 1-0 advantage. Springfield got a quick counter and ripped a 24 yard bullet that beat keeper Will Rosenbaum but hit the right post square and was eventually cleared. Had that gone in it might have been a different ending. Fortunately it didn't and the Aces got their 2nd goal just minutes later. It was Eli Cohen serving up a beautiful chip pass to Palma who tapped it over the keeper's head. Four minutes later it was Cohen again, this time with a head flick pass to Adan Holtz who scored on a beautiful header of his own, and it was 3-0. Along with Cohen, LM's Evan Wolf was also playing one of his best games of the season as he was all over the field making plays.

The game ended 3-0, and with their 14th shutout of the season the Aces' record went to 15-0 (10-0 league), and guaranteed them at least a tie for the Central League Title. Should they beat Ridley tomorrow (at LM @ 3:45 PM) they will be 2013 Central League Champs. If they lose to Ridley, and Strath Haven wins their last game tomorrow, they will be co-champions with Strath Haven.

The game with Upper Dublin scheduled for Thursday has been cancelled as Upper Dublin has to make up a league game on that date.

Blast From The Past 1984

The 1984 Aces' boy's soccer team is responsible for moving LM's soccer program back into elite status after several down years. They won the Central League Title with a league record of 9-1-3, recording 9 shutouts, scoring 29 goals, and allowing only 8. At that point in time the Central League was divided into 2 divisions, and the 2 division winners played each other for the Central League Championship. It would be LM against their fierce rival Strath Haven (a team the Aces had defeated 1-0 during the season). In that Championship game it was LM prevailing again 1-0 on a goal from Michael Surbeck.

In the District Playoffs the Aces first blanked Kennett Square 2-0, then beat West Chester East 3-2 in OT. In the District Semi-Final they suffered a tough 2-1 loss to Strath Haven, dashing their District Title hopes. They needed to beat Upper Moreland in the District 3rd place game to move on to the State Playoffs. After a 1-1 tie thru regulation & overtimes the game went to PK's. On Upper Moreland's last kick LM goalkeeper Ted Sorkin made an outstanding save to move the Aces on to the State Playoffs.

In their 1st State Playoff game they defeated District 3 Champion Conrad Weiser 2-1, and then District 4 Champion Millville 5-4. In the State Semi-Final they faced District 7 Champion Mount Lebanon, ranked #1 in the state at that time (LM was ranked 4th). After a scoreless regulation & overtimes it was PK's once again. On their last kick the "Lebos" missed wide left and the Aces were in their 1st ever official State Championship Final. They faced Neshaminy, the District 1 Champion, and lost a very close contest 1-0. The Aces finished with a 17-3-4 overall record.

This team would start a dominance for LM Soccer in the next 7 years that yielded 5 Central League Titles, 1 District One Championship & 1 runner-up, and 3 appearances in the State Final game, winning it all in 1987. 

Springfield make-up tomorrow

The Springfield away game that was postponned last week due to inclement weather has been rescheduled for tomorrow, Monday, October 14th. The original time last week was 3:45 PM so I'm assuming it will be the same time tomorrow. I'll check in the morning to be sure and if it's any different I will post it here.

The 2013 Schedule panel on the right side of this blog is offline again so I can't make any changes. Until it gets corrected I'll put future changes at the bottom of each new post.

Senior Day

The Aces hosted Archbishop Carroll this morning on Senior Day. The 8 seniors honored were; David Baer, Daniel Buckman, Eli Cohen, Kevin Deng, Facundo Fernandez-Duque, Jacob Fleisher, Adam Holtz, Matt Mantell, Francisco Palma, & Tyler Robinson.

One correction from Tuesday night's blog. I incorrectly mentioned LM junior defender Evan Wolf as Evan O'Brandt.

The Aces overwhelmed Carroll this morning, scoring early & often. Adam Holtz opened the scoring for LM 10 minutes in when he stuffed home a rebound of a Francisco Palma shot. Six minutes later the two switched places, with Palma scoring on a nifty give & go from Holtz. A few minutes later Matt Mantell controlled a long free kick and laid off a beautiful pass to Jacob Fleisher who gave the Aces their 3rd goal. Still in the 1st half Palma scored 2 more, and Tyler Robinson had the shot of the day, hitting a bullet from 35 yards out to make it 6-0 at halftime.

The 2nd half was no different as LM scored 4 more. Palma had 2, Robinson got his 2nd of the game off a nice feed from Eli Cohen, and Jacob Fleisher's 2nd goal of the game ended the scoring onslaught. Juniors Will Rosenbaum & Jordan Canter shared the Aces' 13th shutout of the season, moving LM's record to 14-0 (9-0 league).

Next Tuesday the Aces host Ridley in a Central League contest at 3:45 PM, and on Thursday they are scheduled to play at Upper Dublin at 3:30 PM. Still having a Central League game with Springfield to make up they have to play that sometime next week. I will post that date & time here as soon as it becomes available.

Schedule Changes

Due to the continued heavy rain the Aces were not able to make up their game with Springfield today, and it will probably be scheduled for some day next week. Tomorrow's home game with Archbishop Carroll, originally scheduled for 10:00 AM, has been moved up and will start at 9:30 AM weather permitting.

Today's game with Springfield postponned

Today's Central League boys soccer game at Springfield has been postponed due to the rain. No new date has been announced.

Soccer Polls

There are basically 3 boy's high school soccer polls for this area; the Southeastern PA Soccer Coaches poll, the Philadelphia Inquirer poll, and the NSCAA poll (National Soccer Coaches of America). Below is how the Aces match up with the area competition in all 3.

Southeastern PA Soccer Coaches poll:
1 - Father Judge 14-0-0
2 - Great Valley 12-0-0
3 - LOWER MERION 13-0-0

Philadelphia Inquirer poll:
1 - Father Judge 14-0-0
2 - North Penn 9-1-2
3 - Holy Ghost Prep 7-3-0
4 - Neshaminy 10-0-2
5 - Central Bucks East 9-3-0
6 - Haverford School 8-3
7 - LOWER MERION 13-0-0

NSCAA poll (region III, NY, PA, NJ)
* Southeastern PA teams in top 8
4 - Father Judge 14-0-0
5 - Great Valley 12-0-0
8 - LOWER MERION 13-0-0

There will always be discrepancies in every poll as different criteria may be weighted differently for each one; i.e. total record, strength of schedule, etc. But as I've said before, the most important poll is the one that comes out in November when the season is over.

Key Week

The Aces entered a key week in their schedule this afternoon when they hosted an important Central League game against a solid Garnet Valley squad. LM got a strong start for a change and opened the scoring just 10 minutes in. It was Gian-Luca Hail finishing off a Francisco Palma corner kick and the Aces were off & running once again. Seven minutes later they doubled their advantage when Hail scored his 2nd goal, this time on a beautiful header off a Daniel Buckman long throw-in. Garnet Valley then had Aces' goalkeeper Will Rosenbaum beat but a heads-up play from defender Evan O'Brandt saved a sure goal. LM's defense then settled into their usual consistent play, they lead 2-0 at halftime, and everything was good.

However, when the 2nd half began, Garnet Valley's solid passing game started to pay off. They totally dominated the 2nd half but couldn't get one past the LM defense. With just over 7 minutes remaining all the pressure finally paid off when they scored on a header off a beautiful corner kick. This marked the 1st goal this Aces' team has allowed all year. Two minutes later GV struck again, this time from a header off a long throw-in, 2-2 with 5 minutes left.

This seemed to wake up the listless LM side, and with under a minute remaining Palma took a beautiful pass from David Baer and chipped the ball over the Garnet keeper  for a 3-2 Aces' victory.

This comeback win was probably just what the doctor ordered for this LM team as their record improved to 13-0 (9-0 league) as they head into another Central League contest at Springfield this Thursday at 3:45 PM.

Record Book

The 2013 Aces' defense has tied yet another team record, that for most shutouts in a regular season. The record was held by the 1989 team (12), and this year's team has 5 more chances to beat that mark. After that comes the team record for most total shutouts in 1 season (17), currently held by the 1987 team.

Hitting Their Stride

The Aces had a chance this afternoon to see just how good they are. They played a quality opponent (Central Bucks West, ranked #7 in the Southeastern PA Soccer Coaches' Poll this week) on the road, and passed the test with flying colors.

LM continued to ride their defense, and their set pieces on offense, to spanked the Bucks 3-0. It was senior David Baer opening the scoring in the 1st half, with a goal coming off a corner kick from Francisco Palma. Early in the 2nd half Palma picked up 2 goals of his own, both coming from direct free kicks. The Aces controlled play for most of the game, against a quality opponent, and are looking to finish strong in their last 5 games. This pushes LM's overall record to a perfect 12-0 (8-0 league), and still have yet to give up a goal.

Next week the Aces are home on Tuesday with a Central League game with Garnet Valley (3:30 PM), away at Springfield Delco on Thursday (another league game) at 3:45 PM, and back home on Saturday (10 AM) against non-league opponent Archbishop Carroll (Senior Day).

Not listed in side panel with 2013 Schedule (still problems with blog site):

4-0 win vs. MARPLE NEWTOWN
2-0 win vs. HARRITON
3-0 win vs. Central Bucks West

Tuesday, Oct. 8th @ LM vs.GARNET VALLEY, 3:30 PM
Thursday, Oct. 10th @ SPRINGFIELD, 3:45 PM
Saturday, Oct. 12th @ LM vs. Carroll, 10 AM
Tuesday, Oct. 15th @ LM vs. RIDLEY, 3:30 PM
Thursday, Oct. 17th @ Upper Dublin, 3:30 PM

Overall Record: 12-0-0
League Record: 8-0-0

 

Battle of Lower Merion High Schools

In the battle to see which high school in Lower Merion School District has the better boy's soccer team in 2013 it was the Aces prevailing in a hotly contested match.

Early in the game the Rams hit the crossbar behind LM goalkeeper Will Rosenbaum but it bounced over the goal. With just under 9 minutes played in the 1st hale senior Francisco Palma took a free kick that junior Gian-Luca Hail put past the Harriton keeper and it was 1-0 Aces early on. Despite LM controlling most of the play in the 1st half they could not add to their lead against the defensive-minded Rams and the half ended 1-0.

Just 5 minutes into the 2nd half it was another set piece that gave the Aces their 2nd goal. Francisco Palma hit a low free kick that senior Adam Holtz beautifully half-volleyed into the right hand corner and LM held a 2 goal advantage. It was all Aces the rest of the way, with senior Eli Cohen showing some fine moves in the offensive 3rd, Daniel Buckman working the middle, and the defense turning back the few chances the Rams were able to muster. The result, a 2-0 Central League win and an 11th straight shutout.

LM's record goes to 11-0-0 (8-0-0 league) with a very tough non-league game coming up on Saturday at Central Bucks West (2:30 PM).

One note: due to some difficulties with this blogging site I am unable to update the 2013 Schedule on the side panel of the blog. Missing are the following changes;

4-0 win vs. MARPLE NEWTOWN
2-0 win vs. HARRITON

11-0-0 overall record
8-0-0 league record

Central League Standings

Despite staying perfect yesterday the Inquirer Boy's Soccer Rankings still have the Aces out of the top 10. As they say, the last ranking is the most important.

Below are the current Central League Standings (11 game league schedule)

7-0-0  LM Aces
6-1-0  Strath Haven
5-2-0  Conestoga
4-2-0  Ridley (missing one result)
4-2-1  Harriton
4-3-0  Radnor
3-3-0  Garnet Valley (missing 1 result)
3-3-1  Penncrest
1-5-0  Haverford High (missing 1 result)
1-6-0  Marple Newtown
1-6-0  Springfield
0-6-0  Upper Darby missing 1 result)

Aces at Harriton tomorrow afternoon at 3:45 PM

Rolling On

This afternoon the Aces traveled to Marple Newtown for a Central League game with the Tigers. LM started sluggish and the Marple keeper was able to keep the Aces off the board for the 1st half, which ended 0-0. The LM pressure finally paid off in the 2nd half, and when it was all over the Aces put 4 goals on the board, as senior Eli Cohen recorded a hat trick and Francisco Palma added a single goal. It was business as usual for the defense as keeper Will Rosenbaum chalked up his 11th shutout of the season (in as many games) and LM's D remained unscored upon.

This brought the Aces' overall record to 11-0 (8-0 league) with a key Central League match-up with sister school Harriton this Thursday. The Rams will host at 3:45 PM. LM remains atop the league standings with Conestoga, Strath Haven, & Harriton still in the mix. The Aces moved up to 4th in this week's Southeastern PA Soccer Coaches' Poll behind Father Judge (12-0), North Penn (8-0-2) and Great Vallet (10-0). Conestoga was the only other Central League team that was ranked (12th).