Phoenixville gets by Upper Perk 1-0 on Galli’s goal

PHOENIXVILLE >> Both Phoenixville and Upper Perkiomen have a heavy accent on youth in terms of girls soccer play in the Pioneer Athletic Conference.

Both the Phantoms and Indians feature numerous underclassmen who are varsity players and are sent out in the starting lineups.

The two sides collided Thursday afternoon at Phoenixville’s Washington Field in an evenly-matched battle. Phoenixville came away with the Frontier Division game, 1-0, on freshman Leeza Galli’s goal with an assist by Kaitlyn Casiano in the 57th minute. Phantom goalkeeper Lainey Michaud recorded the shutout with three saves. Indians goalie Rachel Morelli made six saves.

“They (Indians) put up a good fight, and we knew they would,” said Michaud, a senior. “Luckily, we followed a lot of our shots and we had a lot of opportunities, and we were able to find the back of the net.”

The Phantoms started somewhat slowly, but they felt as a group they picked up the pace quite a bit in the second half.

“That is why we had more opportunities on goal,” said Michaud.

Galli is one of five freshmen who saw a lot of playing time for coach Tim Raub during the confrontation.

The scoring connection between Casiano and Galli is one they’ve worked on.

“Kaitlyn Casiano passed it up through,” said Galli. “I took it up and chipped it up over the goalie.

“We work really well together. We work hard as a team in practice and then try to do it in the games.”

Besides Galli, the Phantoms also used four other freshmen, the Tuckman twins, Sean and Lily, Gabrielle Perrotto, and Rosalia Palazzolo earned her first varsity start.

“We struggled a little bit in the first half,” said Raub. “At halftime, we made some adjustments, and we came out strong in the second half. We got more kids out. We used more than we normally do.”

Phoenixville (6-4, 9-5) ended up with seven shots to three for Upper Perkiomen, all of which Michaud handled.

“Lainey’s been an absolute coach’s dream for the three years I have been here,” said Raub. “She is so hard-working. She is a great kid and has a great work ethic. She’s our heart. She’s the motor on our team.”

Galli provided the motor in many ways with her goal against Upper Perk.

“Leeza has a motor that does not stop,” said Raub. “You can’t coach speed. She has a way of getting in behind. She is a little raw yet. There are some things she has to learn  as she is going to grow with the game. She will be an asset for us. We have a lot of nice pieces who are learning to work together. There are some growing pains, but we can play total team soccer.”

The Phantoms hope to finish up strong in order to qualify for the District 1-AAA playoffs. They have some key games coming up at Pope John Paul II Tuesday and then Pottstown Thursday on Phoenixvile’s Senior Night to end divisional play. On Friday, Phoenixville will take on Upper Dublin. Then, on the Saturday following the PAC-10 Final Four playoffs, the Phantoms will meet Gwynedd Mercy. Raub hopes his team can earn enough points down the stretch to get the Phantoms into districts.

“Every game is huge for us, but our backs are against the wall,” said Raub. “That is where we are. We have been in games against some really good teams.”

Phoenixville’s losses have come against formidable foes in Downingtown West, Spring-Ford, Boyertown, Owen J. Roberts and Pope John Paul II. Both the Spring-Ford and Boyertown games were by 2-1 scores.

Veteran Upper Perkiomen coach Mike Freed was pleased with his young team despite the defeat.

“I actually though that was our most complete effort of the season,” said Freed. “We have struggled defensively, but we were spot-on today. Their goal came on a pinpoint pass. We were beaten by a superb play. I was very happy with the effort we put out today.”

Freed cited the play of his four defenders, Morgan Rynn and Kayleigh Durning in the center, Laura Frank on the left and Lauren Weeks on the right. He said his midfielders, Mackenzie Gebhardt and Jessie Fisher, have been steady all season. Forward Hannah Leight has battled wrist surgery but had a strong showing on Thursday.

“We played three games in a little over 24 hours,” said Freed. “That is why I am really happy with how we played. This was our fourth game this week. Yesterday (Wednesday) we actually played a doubleheader. We played at Southern Lehigh at 3:30 and then played Pottstown last night at 7.”