Tuesday, November 15, 2011
The Aces deserved a better fate—but wait ’til next year, they say.
Soccer is a cruel game, especially on the high school level. A look at the Lower Merion varsity boys’ three losses this past season proves the point. The first loss was against elite Conestoga. The Aces did almost everything right, but lost on an own-goal. The second was against township rival Harriton High. This time, the Aces totally outplayed their opponent, but a questionable call at the end of the game resulted in the winner. Then there was the third loss: a rain-soaked, cold, windy and gut-wrenching playoff season-ender against Council Rock South. This time it was another dominant game—but a questionable non-call, in overtime, no less—put an end to Lower Merion’s wonderful season. Obviously, with the low-scoring nature of the …
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Friday, October 28, 2011
Despite out-shooting their opponents handily, Lower Merion’s season ended Thursday in the rain.
On a raw, chilly, and at times rainy afternoon Thursday at Lower Merion High School, there seemed to be something in the air aside from moisture that was conspiring against a sharp varsity boys’ soccer team, playing its first playoff game after being awarded a bye in the first round for a stellar regular season. The weather, some unlucky bounces and a tough draw for an opponent meant a devastating 2-1 overtime loss for the Aces in the District One playoffs, after winning the district in 2010. The loss ends the team's season without a trip to the state playoffs. The Aces would have to have beaten Council Rock South, as well as their next opponent, to qualify. The Aces, ranked in the top 50 in the nation among high school soccer teams, out-…
Sunday, October 16, 2011
The Aces got a big win on Senior Day.
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…
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Lower Merion High School
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Friday, October 14, 2011
Coming off a loss to Harriton, Lower Merion looked strong.
On Tuesday evening, Lower Merion played their cross-district rival over at Harriton and lost 2-1. It was a game that could just as easily have been a win if a couple calls had gone the other way. But not to worry. Coach Nico Severini’s Aces picked up the pieces and played a solid 80 minutes against the Garnet Valley Jaguars. Even though the Central League’s Jags were themselves well-coached by Marty Meenan, the score was close only because of the stellar goalkeeping of senior Kevin Stripling. Lower Merion hustled, won loose balls, and outshot the boys from Garnet Valley by a good margin. With freshman Marcelo Pernot finally back in the starting line-up, the Aces are reasonably healthy and rounding into post-season form. District playoff …
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Tuesday, October 4, 2011
The Aces sparkled in a 6-0 win.
On Saturday, Lower Merion was scheduled to play the area’s #1 team, La Salle High School, up in Glenside. The team and its fans were disappointed when they awoke to news that the game had been postponed (the reason appeared to be the pending bad weather). Monday afternoon found the Aces taking out their disappointment on the Penncrest Lions. In a decisive victory, the squad took it to the visiting team, scoring early and often. Aces coach Nico Severini said that the Aces had an especially good practice this weekend, and it showed. Their set plays in particular were razor-sharp, as this 2011 team continues to jell. IN SHORT Lower Merion started the first half with a bang. A Shane Votto throw-in resulted in a shot by Mark Abi-Khattar that …
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Lower Merion High School
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Saturday, September 24, 2011
The Aces beat Archbishop Carroll at home.
Coming off a rough-and-tumble one goal victory over Upper Darby on Thursday, the Lower Merion Aces seemed to find another gear Saturday, laying it on the Archbishop Carroll Lions. The outcome was never in doubt as Lower Merion dominated play for the entire match. The Lions’ passing game could never get started as they lost possession after possession in midfield. The attacking Aces then put multiple shots on beleaguered Carroll goalkeeper Michael Gallagher. The iron wall of a Lower Merion defense—Noah Blodgett, Tyler Niles, Will Podrasky, and Mark Abi-Khatar—played flawlessly, giving the opposing team virtually no offensive chances. Although the Aces are still short two starters (Joey Gingold returned but Roberto Bonilla is now out), they …
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Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Lower Merion beat Haverford High in Central League action.
The sun came out late on Tuesday afternoon and with it, the Lower Merion boys’ soccer team shone as well. Playing geographic rivals Haverford High School, the Aces played a close-to-perfect second half and emerged with a decisive Central League victory. They continued to play with a short bench as seniors Joey Gingold (hand) and Marcelo Pernot (concussion) remain on the mend. But coach Nico Severini pushed all the right buttons as the Aces adjusted their game for the start of the second half. While coach Stefan Szygiel and his Fords deserve some credit for playing a smart first half that negated a lot of Lower Merion’s size and speed, they could not keep it up for the final 40 minutes. The Aces have been through a good amount of adversity…
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Lower Merion High School
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Monday, September 19, 2011
The Aces beat C.B. West on a late goal in boys soccer.
Central Bucks West brought their “A” game from Doylestown to Ardmore on Saturday afternoon, and though it was a one-nil game, it was certainly not lacking in offense. The Bucks gave the Lower Merion High School squad all they could handle, but thanks to stellar goalkeeping from junior Conner Yu and a spectacular goal by fellow junior Trevor Yu with a minute and a half to play, Lower Merion pulled out a victory. CBW had the upper hand in shots, and even hit the inside of the goalpost in the beginning of the second half, but the Aces got the only score that counted. Unlike the preceding L.M.-Conestoga game, which had a total of five shots, this one was a wide open affair that had the fans worked up to a fever pitch. It was also an important…
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Lower Merion High School
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Friday, September 16, 2011
An own Goal did in the Aces, 2-1.
On a day best spent indoors, the fates were as cruel to the Lower Merion High School boys’ varsity soccer team as was the weather. It was windy, rainy, and unseasonably cold as the Conestoga Pioneers scored on an own goal to hand Lower Merion their first loss of the season. The contest truly was a sort of clash of the titans—with the Aces ranked 2nd in the area and the Pioneers 3rd. The Central League doesn’t get any better than this, which is why it was a shame that the outcome had to be decided on such a fluke. Talking to Aces coach Nico Severini before the game, one could tell that he was taking the game very seriously. An injury to starting senior defender Joey was a concern, but Conestoga’s talent seemed to be an even bigger one. …
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
The Raiders refused to yield to Lower Merion’s nationally ranked squad.
Earlier this week, polls were released showing that the Lower Merion Hgh School boys’ varsity soccer team was ranked 3rd in the state and 37th in the nation. A lot of other ranked teams might have simply shown up at Radnor High on Tuesday and played the game on a cocky sort of auto-pilot. But the way the Raiders played, those other teams would have lost the game. But in one of the marquee match-ups of the Central League, Nico Severini’s well-coached Aces posted another W, and their record now stands at 4-0 (2-0 league). They won by grit, determination, and a virtuoso defensive performance on a surprisingly hot day. IN SHORT The Aces came out strong against a seemingly disorganized Radnor squad. Junior Kenneth Lassiter scored the game’s …
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Mike Mastrogiacomo
7:20 am on Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Author's note: Mark A-K filled in for an injured Joey Gingold. Will Podrasky played just about every minute of every game. Apologies to Mr. Podrasky. more ›