Hoy nets 2 goals, Plymouth Whitemarsh blanks Upper Moreland
WHITEMARSH >> There are no showers or gym locker rooms to change clothes or take a shower in on campus, but the Plymouth Whitemarsh boys soccer team is not complaining.
In Wednesday afternoon’s oppressive heat, the Colonials calmly and coolly froze out Upper Moreland, 4-0, to gain a key Suburban One League American Conference victory, then jumped into their cars and sped home to the comfort of their air-conditioned houses to cool down.
A by-product of the $40 million renovation project currently taking place at the school, the soccer team is hardly alone in their inconvenience.
“It doesn’t seem to bother them,” said first-year head coach Jeff Heaton.
If it did, it certainly wasn’t reflected in their play.
The Colonials shook off an early scare, when Upper Moreland’s Randy Meehl rattled a shot off the goalpost, got two goals from sophomore Tommy Hoy, then for all intents and purposes, put the issue to rest when Alex Lefkowitz scored in the opening moments of the second half.
“We had some early chances, and if that shot by Randy goes in, maybe it’s a different game,” said Bears head coach Dan Mannella. “But I guess it just wasn’t to be.”
“That’s the game of soccer,” Heaton said. “If that shot goes in, maybe they have the momentum.”
Instead, Hoy scored soon after off a throw-in, and the match changed dramatically.
Energized, the Colonials gained confidence, then doubled their lead later in the half when Hoy’s free kick somehow managed to avoid being touched by anybody, including keeper Matthew Sheldon, and the lead was 2-0.
“Both of their goals in the first half came off set pieces,” Mannella said. “Maybe we’ll learn from it, that you can’t let those things happen.”
When Lefkowitz sped down the right wing and beat Sheldon early in the second half, it was lights out.
“In our halftime talks we always say we need to go out and score early,” said Colonials midfielder Gavin Hendrick. “When you do that, you get the confidence things are going to go your way, and maybe it takes a little away from (our opponent’s) confidence.”
From that point on, the match belonged to the Colonials, although Kenny Diamond added some insurance, scoring off a throw-in, just moments after blasting a left-footer over the net.
The senior-dominated Colonials defense held firm, and it was a mad dash to the parking lot to head home.
“Since I’ve been here the team has always been big, strong and fast.” Hendrick said. “And I thnk we’re that way again.
“This is a good team that I think can go to districts.”
By which time the team may even be able to take a postgame shower.
Plymouth Whitemarsh 4, Upper Moreland 0
Upper Moreland 0 0 — 0
Plymouth Whitemarsh 2 2 — 4
First half scoring — PW Tommy Hoy 2.
Second-half scoring — PW Alex Lefkowitz; Kenny Diamond.
Shots: Upper Moreland 9. Plymouth Whitemarsh 16.
Top Photo: Plymouth Whitemarsh’s Gavin Hendrick passes the ball as Upper Morelands Alex Gerlach defends during their game on Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016. (Gene Walsh/Digital First Media)
