Springfield takes down Lower Moreland
SPRINGFIELD TWP. — It’s rare that a team faces a big non-league game in the regular season but that’s what happened Springfield and Lower Moreland in Monday’s non-league match-up.
Entering the game Springfield was the third seed in the District 1-AA playoff picture with Lower Moreland right behind them with the fourth seed. The Spartans came out the hungrier team as they used three first-half goals to get past the Lions 3-0.
“The boys knew coming in that this was kind of a playoff game,’ Springfield coach Dan Meder said. “They were up for it and ready to go.’
Springfield used its early momentum as it cashed it in for an early goal as Mike Bonacci found the net on a nice feed from Juan Castro to give the Spartans a 1-0 lead in the 15th minute.
Lower Moreland responded to the Springfield goal as it put the pressure on the Spartan defense for the next five or so minutes. Springfield keeper Kevin Sykes wasn’t tested all too much throughout the game but made a couple big saves during the sequence.
“I wasn’t surprised,’ Lower Moreland coach Matt Crouch said of his team’s response to the first goal. “We played Devon Prep last week and we were down 2-1 at the half and they came out the second half a totally different team.’
After Springfield survived the Lions flurry of offense it was able to get the next two goals separated by just one minute Corey Cottone scored on a pass from Zach Harley in the 34th minute then Harley got one of his own as he lobbed in a deep rebound opportunity to give the Spartans a 3-0 lead. Harley set the tempo in the midfield all game by being decisive and aggressive on the ball.
“Zach is a great combination of intensity and skill,’ Meder said. “He takes great positions on the field. He puts himself in great positions to get the ball, to win the ball, and when he gets it he does great things with it.’
With the win and with only four games remaining in the regular season Springfield has positioned itself nicely to get in the class AA playoff picture.
