BIG RIVALRY

Ever since Harriton H.S. opened in the late 50's, any competition between the 2 sister schools was a very big event. Each sport had their own rivalries, and none was more competitive than boy's soccer. Both schools have had excellent programs, drawing players from the same feeder system, and no matter what the records were it didn't matter. They played for pride & district bragging rights.

LM has played Harriton 29 times in their long history, and 21 times the game has ended in either a tie or a 1 goal differential. Despite the Aces having a big edge (17-2-10) it was always a struggle, and this afternoon was no different.

Having only scored 6 goals in their last 6 games, LM knew going in that they had to create more sustained offense to be successful the rest of the season. This afternoon it didn't take long. Two minutes into the game, played in a steady rain, senior Anthony Haines sent a beautiful thru ball down the left side to junior Ryan Tillman. Using his blazing speed he first out ran the lone defender to the ball, then cut back and beat that same defender again, and hit a bullet into the far right corner from 15 yards out.

Midway thru the 1st half Haines hit a nice corner to his favorite target, senior Quinn Vagnoni, and his header had the Rams keeper beat but hit the crossbar and went over the goal. Meanwhile the Aces' D was very solid, with senior midfielder Max Knight-Surie collapsing back into the middle when needed to thwart any Harriton buildup. LM keeper Sabastian Jenkins was also having a great game, owning the box and cleaning up anything that got thru his back line. A key for the Aces today was putting immediate pressure on the ball all over the field, something the Rams weren't ready for, and couldn't seem to handle.

With 12 minutes left in the 1st half a Tillman free kick from 25 yards out hit the crossbar and sophomore Thomas Podrasky alertly followed up the rebound and headed it past the Harriton for LM's 2nd goal. 2-0 halftime.

As the 2nd half began the rain intensified, and so did Harriton's play. Just a minute in the Rams had a point blank shot that Jenkins batted away, and then he also blocked the shot off the reboud as well. Harriton began carrying most of the 2nd half play but just couldn't get one behind the Aces' D & Jenkins. With strong games from Podrasky, Knight-Surie & Jenkins, it looked like LM would notch another shutout and an easy 2-0 win. but remember, this was LM vs. Harriton where anything can happen.

With just 1:47 left in the game the Rams scored on a free kick rebound and ran the ball back to the center circle. They knew they had a chance. With less than a minute left, and Harriton swarming the Aces' goal, they hit a shot from 14 yards out that beat Jenkins, but didn't beat the crossbar, and it bounded over the goal. Final score, 2-1 Aces.