Off & Running

The 2016 LM Soccer Aces began their season last week and are off to a good start. They opened with 2 non-league games, and came away with a 1-1 tie with Avon Grove and a 3-0 win over Bonner. Last night they traveled to Haverford H.S. for their Central League opener.

LM began the season with 11 seniors on the roster; 4 of which are new to the varisty this year, Of the 7 juniors only 3 are veterans from last year's squad, and the 2 sophomores are playing varisty for the 1st time. 

Against the Fords the Aces' speed & quickness easily made up for their lack of size as they carried play for the entire 1st half. Midway thru the half LM scored to take the lead, but it was called back for offsides, as the Fords were playing a pretty disciplined offsides trap defense. It was mostly a defensive contest, with the game's 1st shot on goal not coming until about 12 minutes left. With only 8 minutes left in the half Aces' junior Matt Shapiro jumped on a poor Ford clear and went lower left from about 18 yards out. 1-0 LM at halftime.

With more of the same in the 2nd half, Aces controlling play and little offensive chances for either team, the Fords appeared to tie it up midway thru but offsides nullified the score. LM rode the fine play of the defense; junior Thomas Podrasky & senior Erez Potok-Holmes in the middle, senior Som Safavi & junior Zach Goldstein on the outside, and returning senior goalkeeper Sebastian Jenkins, the rest of the way and notched their 2nd shutout of the young season.

Up next week for the Aces are 2 key Central League games. On Tuesday they host Upper Darby at 3:45 PM and Thursday they travel to Strath Haven for a night game (7 PM).