Lower Merion Edges Great Valley 2-1 in Boys Soccer

It was the last 2011 regular season home game for Lower Merion High—a day to honor their stalwart seniors. The Podrasky, Gingold, Bonilla, Hriscu, Niles, and Votto families all came out on the field to remember the good times. Luckily, Great Valley High School did not spoil the day, but it wasn’t for lack of effort. 

The Patriots took it to the Aces and pretty much controlled three quarters of the game. It was physical and often not very pretty to watch. But Lower Merion played just well enough at the end to grab a victory.

The match was scoreless until twenty-seven minutes had elapsed in the second half, when junior Kenny Lassiter registered the first of his two goals. Yet the game never really felt safe until the final buzzer sounded. On a sunny and breezy October day, a sizable crowd of relieved fans then filed out of Arnold Field.

IN SHORT

Great Valley started the first half like gangbusters, winning the midfield battles and setting the tempo. Patriots coach Dave Moffett exhorted his team and worked the refs like a man possessed. It was obvious from the first that it was going to be a long morning. Credit keeper Connor Yu and the Aces' defense for not allowing a goal during the first stanza, as there were quite a few good Great Valley chances. 

The big play of the half was caused by a Lower Merion throw-in at 19:00. It resulted in a mid-air collision between senior Ben Hriscu and Patriots goalkeeper Hector Palos. Hriscu got up slow but was able to stay in the game. Palos, on the other hand, made his way slowly off the field and had to be replaced by Patrick Casey. Both teams were definitely playing for keeps, as the 0-0 half came to an end.

The second half was more of the same. The Patriots were taking their best shots, and the Aces were bending but not breaking. Finally at the midpoint, the crowd sensed an L.M. surge. The Patriots slowed up just a bit, and at 27:00 junior Matt Lindheim struck a pinpoint corner kick, with Lassiter putting it in off a rebound in front. Then a few minutes later, Kenny took a pass, broke down two defenders and the keeper, and scored another tally.

It was not over yet.  With less than four minutes left, Great Valley junior Mike Rispoli took a pass in front and put an unstoppable goal in the extreme corner of the net. But the 2-1 score held up—the Aces had prevailed.

Lower Merion’s record now stands at 13-2 (8-2 in the Central League).

ACES OF THE GAME

The talented and rambunctious Kenny Lassiter once again put his scoring prowess on display. Junior Mark Abi-Khatar had the assist and played a very nice game on the right flank. Senior Shane Votto had his usual solid game in the middle.

THEY SAID IT

“Nothing throws them off.  This is a team that has exceptional leadership, especially from the seniors."—Coach Nico Severini

UP NEXT

The Aces travel to Springfield (Delco) High School on Tuesday (Oct. 18) for a 3:45 p.m. game.