All-Delco: Bradley Brothers head up talented class
In addition to Player of the Year Shane Bradley, the All-Delco boys soccer team includes:
Connor Gregory, Haverford School: The junior forward was the main offensive threat for the Fords, accounting for 20 goals on a team where no one else scored more than six. He added four assists en route to Inter-Ac MVP honors. The Fords were 11-1 in games where Gregory scored. He notched the only goal in 1-0 wins over Archbishop Curley and St. Benedict’s of New Jersey, top-ranked in the nation by several outlets. Gregory scored a hat trick in a 5-1 win over Penn Charter, tallied twice in a 3-0 win over Springside Chestnut Hill and notched both goals in a 2-1 win over Episcopal Academy.
Conor Bradley, Haverford School: The reigning Daily Times Player of the Year suffered through an injury-riddled junior campaign, with a partially-torn MCL suffered Oct. 17 against Malvern costing him the bulk of the Inter-Ac slate. Nonetheless, Bradley managed to provide four goals and four assists while representing the stabilizing presence in the Fords’ midfield. Bradley tallied a goal and an assist against both Hun School and Hill School.
Evan Needs, Christian Academy: The senior three-time All-Delco leaves high school as the all-time leading scorer in Delco history, collecting a staggering 117 goals to break the record of 115 set by Delco Christian’s Kieran Keelan. Needs got to that mark with 43 goals this season, leading TCA to an unbeaten campaign that finished with 18 straight wins en route to the Tri-State Christian Conference regular season and tournament titles. Needs recorded multiple goals on 14 occasions. He compiled six hat tricks and scored four goals in a game two additional times. He saved the best for last, scoring four goals in the second half of the TSCC championship game to help the Crusaders book a 4-3 win, earning most outstanding player honors for the tournament and league.
Michael Hinckley, Episcopal Academy: The central defender and senior captain was among the stalwarts on a solid EA team. Hinckley scored one goal, a consolation tally in a 2-1 loss to Hun School Sept. 12, but was at his best on the other end of the field. A superior aerial presence, the Dickinson College basketball commit was a dominant defender on set pieces. He helped the Churchmen finish the Inter-Ac season with a scoreless draw against Haverford School, girding the EA defense against constant pressure from the Fords’ attack.
Drew Hanna, Penncrest: Despite a knee injury that cost him several games, the senior midfielder was a large part of the Lions’ march to the playoffs. Hanna scored a team-high 14 goals, with no one else on the team scoring more than five times. He had four multi-goal games, highlighted by a four-goal outburst against Upper Darby. Hanna also scored twice in a win over fellow playoff qualifier Lower Merion and notched the game-winning goals in a 2-1 decision over Harriton and a 1-0 overtime triumph over Radnor.
Jude Morgan, Penncrest: Through myriad injuries endured by Penncrest this season, the senior defender was the anchor of the Lions’ stout defense. Morgan scored once, contributing to a win over Penn Wood. He had a hand in six shutouts. For his efforts, Morgan finished third in the All-Central player of the year balloting.
Nick Jannelli, Springfield: Just a junior, the attacking midfielder has already authored one of the most successful careers in program history. Jannelli scored 15 goals; the rest of the Cougars accounted for 21, no individual scoring more than three. Jannelli tied the Springfield single-season record set by Matt Urglavitch in 2006. Jannelli has 25 career goals, the most in Springfield history. The Cougars were 9-1 in games where he scored, including his hat trick in a 4-1 thrashing of Strath Haven and his goal in the District One Class AAA opening-round win over Harriton. Jannelli, who added three assists, was the runner-up in All-Central player of the year voting.
George Lambritsios, Marple Newtown: The leading light of the Tigers’ loaded junior class made his mark by scoring 15 goals after getting shut out in the first four matches of the season. He scored both goals in a 2-1 win over Strath Haven that launched Marple’s playoff run. He added two in a 3-2 loss to Conestoga, came up with all four markers in a 4-1 thrashing of Garnet Valley and added the only tally in a 1-0 win over Radnor. Lambritsios’ efforts earned him the All-Central player of the year honor, as voted on by league coaches. He also excelled as the Tigers’ football team’s kicker.
Drew Ryan, Radnor: In a season where goals were scarce for the Raiders, the senior defender’s ability to marshal the backline was vital in their return to the playoffs. Radnor kept eight clean sheets, including a stretch of five straight in an eight-game winning streak. The Raiders gave up one goal or fewer in 14 matches, and Radnor was 7-5 in 1-0 games, including their playoff ouster against Pennsbury. Ryan also contributed offensively with two goals, tied for third on a team that notched just 20 goals. Ryan finished off the overtime winner in a 1-0 encounter with Upper Darby Sept. 9 and contributed to a 3-2 win over Conestoga.
Kyle Dutch, Interboro: The junior central midfielder was the string-puller for a Bucs attack that recorded 76 goals in 19 matches on the way to a second straight berth in the District One Class AAA Tournament. Dutch scored five goals and assisted on five, but his real value was in providing the deep-lying defensive support to give the Bucs attackers room to create. His header represented the game-winner in a 4-2 triumph over Penn Wood that helped decide the Del Val title, and Dutch scored the only goal in a key 1-0 nonleague win over Ridley.
Matt Freese, Episcopal Academy: The lanky sophomore shot-stopper had a knack for producing phenomenal saves for an EA team that had trouble scoring at times. In 10 Inter-Ac matches, Freese allowed 10 goals, keeping a pair of clean sheets behind an offense that went scoreless over its last four outings. Statistically, his finest effort was a 16-save outing in a 2-1 win over Malvern Prep Oct. 24. He seemed to be at his best against archrival Haverford School, making 14 saves under constant duress in a 2-1 loss Oct. 21.
