Schauerman hopes early-season schedule will pay dividends for Shipley

With tough competition looming when play begins in the competitive Friends’ Schools League, Shipley boys soccer coach Thom Schauerman uses his challenging non-league schedule to prepare his team for the difficult road ahead.

In previous years, the philosophy has paid dividends with the Gators winning back-to-back league titles defeating Westtown in both title matches.

Last week, the Gators season began with tough losses to Haverford School and Harriton High School but optimism still runs high for a talented group with a solid mix of talented underclassmen combined with key senior leadership.

“We had a tough week but the good thing is these games showed us the good things we did and what we need to work on,” said senior Joe Bradley. “We have to continue working together and put these games behind us. You can’t change what happened. We have to turn our focus to the games ahead.”

“Playing these types of games are only going to make us better,” said Schauerman. “There are not a lot of negatives you take out of last week. You use them as a learning experience to get better.”

Against Haverford School, the Gators gave the Fords all they could handle before falling 4-3 on a late goal by senior defender Shane Bradley. The contest featured Shipley gaining one-goal advantages twice throughout the contest along with one tie before the hosts rallied for the one-goal win.

Despite the loss, Schauerman saw many positives to take away from playing a perennial power. The positives included Shipley scoring in the run of play along with being able to capitalize on set pieces.

With 33:54 remaining in the second half, Page controlled a 50/50 ball at midfield and quickly found Austin Wylie streaking towards the goal. After controlling the ball, Page found Wylie who beat Haverford keeper Will Baltrus with a low driving shot to level the match at 3-3.

“I had a chance to turn before the ball arrived and I saw someone (Austin Wylie) making a through run,” said Page. “Austin did a great job finishing.”

Schauerman added, “Wyatt has great vision. He made a great play and it was nice to see us score in the run of play.”

Overcoming adversity is nothing new to a veteran squad that has been fortunate to have a core group of seniors who have played together since freshman year.

“Everyone knows the feeling when we lose,” said Page. “We know what it feels like and it’s not good. We also know its time to move forward and put these games behind us.”

“In sports you are going to have adversity. It’s what you take from it is what makes or breaks a team,” Schauerman said. “We have to use this and learn from it and build on our strengths and improve on our weaknesses.”