League Opener

The Aces opened up their Central League schedule this past Monday as they traveled to Ridley. They have had a lot of success with the Raiders over the years, and this game was no exception, as LM walked off with a 4-0 shutout win. This brought their overall record to 3-0, all shutouts. Yesterday the Aces, still on the road, played a strong Radnor squad. Radnor took the lead in the 1st half, the first goal given up by LM's strong defense this year. Early in the 2nd half the Aces senior center midfielder Mike Lemonick took a cross from defender Nate Teihl and tied the game 1-1. Despite a few good chances by both teams there was no more scoring, and LM would have to settle for their 1st blemish of the season. Their overall record now stands at 3-0-1 (1-0-1 league).

Earlier in the week the 1st Southeastern PA Soccer Coaches poll of the season was published, with LM was ranked 10th. Other Central League teams listed in the poll were #2 Conestoga (who then lost their league opener to Penncrest), #11 Strath Haven, and #20 Upper Darby (coached by LM soccer alum Tom Farr).

LM has no game this Saturday due to the Jewish holiday. Next week the Aces have their only night game of the regular season as they travel to Conestoga for a 7 PM league contest. Thursday it's away again at Haverford High (3:45 PM), and Saturday at home (2:30 PM) against Unionville, last week's #1 ranked team in the Inquirer soccer poll.

Good Start

Due to the Jewish holiday it was a long wait in between games, but it didn't seem to matter to the talented Aces. Using another excellent defensive performance they defeated perennial soccer power, and inter-district rival, Parkland 1-0. Senior Sasha Safavi continued his scoring streak as he played a ball over a Parkland defender with only 5 minutes remaining in regulation time and volleyed it into the lower right hand corner. Newcomber Ben Hriscu was credited with the assist. Senior Keeper Emmett McConnell registered his 2nd shutout of the season making 4 clutch saves, one being off an indirect kick inside the box with 7 minutes left in the game. He was supported by a solid effort by senior defender David Rosenfeld. On a down note the Aces lost 2 starters to injuries early in the game, the extent of which is still unknown.

In the first Philadelphia Inquirer boy's high school soccer rankings the Aces were listed 7th, the only Central League team on the list. Next up for LM is their opening Central League match at Ridley tomorrow at 3:45 PM. On Wednesday they host league rival Radnor, also at 3:45 PM.

Off & Running

The 2010 LM Aces began their regular season last Saturday on Arnold Field hosting non-league rival West Chester East. The offense was provided by senior Sasha Safavi, who scored both LM goals. Senior goalkeeper Emmett McConnell and the solid Aces' defense took care of the rest, allowing only 6 shots and registering their 1st shutout of the new season, 2-0. McConnell was also credited with an assist on one of the LM's goals. Due to the Jewish holiday this week the next game is not scheduled until Saturday, when the Aces host Parkland. Game time is set for 3 PM on the turf at Arnold Field.

We have been getting good response to our 2 LMSAA events on Saturday, October 16th; the "Alumni Game" at 10 AM on Arnold Field, and the Beef & Beer at 7 PM to be held in King of Prussia. If you haven't responded as of yet, and are interested in attending one, or both, events, please email me at bubdavidson@comccast.net. It should be a fun Saturday so come out and join us. After all, you all have some responsibility for making the LM High School Boy's Soccer program the great success that it is today.

Let the games begin

After nearly 3 weeks of pre-season practice under their belts, the 2010 LM Aces boy's soccer team are anxious to officially open their regular season this Saturday against West Chester East. Game time is 10 AM on the turf at Arnold Field.

The Aces fared well in their 2 pre-season scrimmages, against Council Rock & William Tennant, which finished 2-1 and 2-0 respectively. Senior Michael Lemonick will be the workhorse for the Aces this year, playing out of center midfield, and up front LM is counting on Sasha Safavi & Tyler Niles to pick up the scoring void left by the graduation of Jordan Wolf, Max Tassano, and Julien Aoyama.

Be sure to check out the LM High School Soccer website at lmacessoccer.com for detailed info on this year's Aces squad.

Steve Fountain Memorial Golf Tournament
We still have openings for foursomes and individual players in this year's Steve Fountain Memorial Golf Tournament, to be played on Monday, September 27th, at Radnor Valley. For complete details please contact Jim VanDusen (jimmyv@pplcg.com) or Brian Vernick (brianvern1@comcast.net).

Annual Lower Merion Soccer "Alumni Game"
Our annual LM Soccer "Alumni Game" will be held on Saturday morning, October 16th, at 10 AM at Arnold Field. Many of you have emailed me to let me know you're attending, but we want to get as many LM Soccer Alumni as possible back out on the field to continue the tradition. If you're interested in playing (or watching), and haven't already contacted me (bubdavidson@comcast.net), please send me an email so I have enough jerseys to give out to the participants. We hope to get enough players out this year to play an "Alumni vs. Alumni" game. If not, our LM Alumni team will be playing an Alumni team from Radnor.

First Annual LM Soccer Alumni Beef & Beer
I have heard from quite a few of you who are planning to attend the first annual LM Soccer Alumni Beef & Beer, to be held on Saturday, October 16th, at the King of Prussia Volunteer Fire Department, beginning at 7 PM. This event is open to all LM Soccer Alumni, Coaches, Spouses and Significant Others, Family, & Friends. If you are interested in attending, and haven't already contacted me (bubdavidson@comcast.net), please send me an email and let me know how many will be in your party. Make it a double header with the "Alumni Game" in the morning and the Beef & Beer in the evening.

Welcome Back

It's late August so soccer is once again in the air. The 2010 Aces squad began pre-season practice Monday, August 16th, in the usual Arnold Field heat & humidity. A time for a fresh start, a new head coach, and, as usual, high expectations. Coming off 3 straight Central League Titles can this year's team make it 4 in a row? The last time that happened was 1984 thru 1987, with the '87 team going on to win the PIAA State Championship. Having graduated a crop of very talented seniors from last year will certainly make it a challenge for first year coach Nick Severeni.

I will be sending out email updates once the season begins, as well as posting them here on "Coach D's Blog". We are also hoping to get a lot of our LMSAA members out to the LM Soccer Alumni functions this year, starting with the Steve Fountain Memorial Golf Tournament on Monday, September 27th, and continuing with both the annual LM Soccer "Alumni Game" and the inaugural Beef & Beer, both being held on Saturday, October 16th. More details to follow.

Summer Greetings

I hope all of you LM Soccer Alumni & families are having a good summer. I just wanted to pass on some info for the upcoming Fall season.

Head varsity coach Jon Fadely has stepped down to take a position in the Athletic Director's office. After a month long search & screening process, the Aces have a new head coach, the 10th in the storied history of one of the most successful boy's soccer programs in the state. His name is Nick Severini, and those LM Soccer Alumni who graduated in the last 20 years may recognize the last name. His father, George Severini, has been the head Haverford H.S. coach since the late 80's. We all wish Nick the best.

Also, I want to pass on 2 LM Soccer Alumni events that have been scheduled for the Fall. Please make a note on your calendars.

1/ Monday, September 27th - The 6th Annual Steve Fountain Memorial Golf Tournament will be held at nearby Radnor Valley golf Club. More info will follow here at Coach D's Blog, and on the "Alumni" portion of the website. We hope to have another big turnout this year.

2/ Saturday, October 16th - The annual Lower Merion Soccer "Alumni Game" will be held on Arnold field during the day, and at night we will be holding our first informal LMSAA Beef & Beer in King of Prussia (open to all LM Soccer Alumni, coaches, & friends). For those of you in the area, and those planning a trip back home, come out and join us. It will be a great chance to catch up and reminisce about those good old days on Arnold field. More specific info on both these events will follow here on "Coach D's Blog", and on the "alumni" part of the website.

Enjoy your summer and I'll be back in touch when pre-season begins. I know you all have fond memories of those hot August days, filled with hundreds of trips running around the field, wind sprints, the 2-mile run, hours of skills work, does it get any better than that.

Thank You

I want to thank all of you who have joined us this past season on "Coach D's Blog", and wish you a very happy holiday season. I will publish occasionally during the off season, to keep you up to date on any LMSAA info, as well as the LM indoor & summer league happenings, and start up again in earnest next fall for the 2010 Aces soccer season.

I would also like to welcome our newest class of LM Soccer Alumni (listed below), who will graduate this coming June, 2010. We all wish you the very best next year, and hope you get a chance to come out and join us at one of our future LMSAA functions.

Julien Aoyama
Alex Cope
Jonny Dolezal
Sam Gross
Izzy Nunez
Ben Sataloff
Momadu Sluwar
Max Tassano
Tusia Tamir