Boys Soccer: Pioneer Athletic Conference Final Four Preview

Boyertown (4) vs. Spring-Ford (1)

Records >> Boyertown – 5-4-1 PAC Liberty, 8-4-1 PAC, 11-5-2 overall

Spring-Ford – 8-0-2 PAC Liberty, 11-0-2 PAC, 14-1-3 overall

Head-to-head >> On Oct. 4, Spring-Ford won 1-0 in overtime on Brett Gulati’s game-winner. On Sept. 13, Spring-Ford won 2-0 on goals from Gulati and Colin Trainor.

Playoff history >> Boyertown has won the PAC title four times, including back-to-back in 2015 and 2016. The Bears missed the Final Four in 2017 … Spring-Ford is two-time PAC champion (2010, 2013). The Rams fell in last year’s final to Phoenixville, 3-1.

On Boyertown >> The Bears came up clutch in the final week of the regular season to earn the second wild card to PACs, most notably dealing Perk Valley its first loss of the year (2-0). Their arrival may be ahead of schedule under first-year coach Mark Chambers even. Like most past Boyertown teams, success is built on balance. Colin Brisbois has found the scoring touch of late while other key contributors are Landon Wenger, Ryan Foskey, Nick Willson and goalkeeper Mason Kurtz.

On Spring-Ford >> An excellent season in 2017 unraveled in the late stages, the Rams winning just one of their last five matches, the last two defeats in the PAC final and the District 1-4A first round. This year’s motivation is clear. Spring-Ford has been the class of the PAC and is ranked No. 2 in the District 1-4A rankings. Its only loss came against Hempfield, last year’s PIAA finalist. It carries as much of a scoring threat as any PAC team in recent history, fueled by junior standouts Colin Trainor and Brett Gulati. Seniors Sal Ibarra and Johnny Guimaraes hold it down in the midfield, Gabe Locke and Aiden Hudon on defense while the addition of former academy player Ray Fortebuono in goal has been valuable.

Matchup >> While Boyertown may seem ahead of schedule, Spring-Ford is right on it. The Rams will have not-so-fond memories of last year’s PAC tournament and will be motivated to right that wrong. They have the results and performances to back it up and have the firepower to turn back the Bears a third time this fall.

Prediction >> Spring-Ford 3, Boyertown 1

 

Perkiomen Valley (3) vs Pottsgrove (2)

Records >> Perkiomen Valley – 4-1-5 PAC Liberty, 7-1-5 PAC, 9-1-6 overall; Pottsgrove – 7-2-1 PAC Frontier, 7-5-1 PAC, 10-6-2 overall

Head-to-head >> Perk Valley defeated Pottsgrove in a PAC crossover, 3-0, on Sept. 12. Max Chamorro

and Anthony Pellerito had goals for PV.

Playoff history >> Perkiomen Valley is making its second straight Final Four appearance, last year losing 2-1 to Spring-Ford in a dramatic semifinal. PV has won the PAC title three times but never in the Final Four era (1987, 1997, 2001). … Pottsgrove returns to PACs are a one-year hiatus. Before that, they’d made 10 straight trips include one finals appearance (2016).

On Perkiomen Valley >> The Vikings’ record this season has been as unusual as you’ll see. PV, coming off a 2017 that saw it become the first PAC 4A school to make the PIAA playoffs, went 14 games unbeaten to start the year but five were draws, a rare proportion in high school soccer. Their success has been built on a defensive approach thanks to midfielder Matt McCabe, backs Stephen Warren, AJ Hansen, Brian Holmes, Mark Pirrone and goalie Josh Moyer. Max Chamorro and Brian Love carry the offense.

On Pottsgrove >> The Falcons came through in the de facto Frontier Division title game, knocking off defending champion Phoenixville 1-0 on Ethan Pace’s goal early in the second half. Pace will be looked upon for a scoring presence from the Falcons, aided offensively by Ryan Curnew and Collin Deckert while the sophomore-filled defense led by center back Shane Gleason and goalkeeper Luke Kaiser came up big in the finale against the Phantoms.

Matchup >> There’s few secrets in a matchup of the PAC’s two senior coaches, Pottsgrove’s Jay Witkowski and Perk Valley’s Bob McCabe. The Falcons will go toe-to-toe with PV, but the Vikings take joy in frustrating their opponent and look to hit them on the counterattack. PV may open it up a bit more in an isolated league playoff, but not to a point of getting away from what got it here in the first place.

Prediction >> Perkiomen Valley 2, Pottsgrove 0