Main Line soccer wrap-up: Lower Merion ace-ing opponents

Ardmore >> Both of the Lower Merion High School soccer squads – boys and girls – are among the strongest teams in District 1 4A as the PIAA postseason approaches.
The LM boys improved their record to 14-0-1 with a 2-0 shutout win against host Radnor Monday evening. It was their 10th shutout of the season.
“Our defense has been solid this season with a back four of [junior] center backs Will Pitonyak and Sam Hecht, [junior] left back John Mosenco and [senior] right back Evan Goodman,” said Lower Merion head coach Nico Severini.
The Aces’ also got some fine saves Monday from each of their sophomore goalies, Sammy Kao and Michael O’Gara.
The Aces’ two goals were scored by junior Shane Brown and sophomore Reid Joseph. Lower Merion also got some fine play from their leading point scorer, Philip Monos, the Main Line Boys’ Athlete of the Week (see Page D3).
As of Tuesday, Lower Merion was ranked No. 3 among PIAA District 1 4A boys’ soccer squads, with Conestoga at No. 5 and Radnor sixth. Up next for the Aces on the regular-season schedule was Conestoga (Oct. 10), Haverford High (Oct. 15) and Friends’ Central (Oct. 17).
“We can’t allow ourselves to get too carried away with our victory tonight,” said Severini Monday. “We’re looking forward to a the final games of the regular season and to continue growing as a team. Chemistry and team together is our philosophy, and we look to improve each game.”
The Lower Merion girls defeated Radnor, 3-1, Monday to improve their record to 12-2. As of Tuesday, the Aces are ranked No. 5 in the PIAA District 1 4A girls soccer ratings – just three spots behind undefeated Conestoga.
The Aces, on a four-game winning streak, have allowed only three goals in their last four contests, and in Monday’s contest, LM goalie Audrey Brown was steallr, making eight saves.
Overall, the Aces have outscored their opponents 55-14 during the season to date.
In other Main Line high school soccer action (this wrapup is compiled from game results sent to badams@mainlinemedianews.com by the respective teams):
Academy of Notre Dame defeated Merion Mercy Academy, 2-0, Monday. Goals were scored by Izzy Casale and Abby Butler. Casale had a strong performance both at midfield at upfront, while Butler had a pinpoint assist on Casale’s goal.
Agnes Irwin (7-1-3) defeated Radnor, 3-1, Oct. 4. Alyssa Hardin scored two goals, and Natalie Pansini tallied one goal and an assist.
Barrack Hebrew Academy (boys) defeated Delaware Valley Friends, 6-2, Oct. 3. Jordan Naim had a hat trick, and the other Cougar goals were scored by Abe Wachs, Daniel Wachs and Danny Cohen. Barrack goalie Hayden Ufberg recorded seven saves.
Episcopal Academy (boys) lost to Germwntown Academy, 2-1, in two overtimes Oct. 4. Adam Archambault scored the EA goal and Episcopal goalie Alex Geczy recorded three saves.
Haverford School defeated host Hill School, 3-1, Monday. Haverford struck first with a cross by senior midfielder Luke Macaione that was volleyed home by sophomore striker Asher Laackman. In the second, half the Fords went ahead 2-1 when junior Zach Seaman received a pass from senior Luke Macaione spun and finished from the top of the 18. The Fords closed it out with 10 minutes to play as freshman Papi Harris found a streaking Asher Laackman, who scored his second goal on the day.
The Fords defeated Springside Chestnut Hill, 1-0, in overtime Oct. 4. The game ended in the second overtime, with Asher Laackman scoring in the 85th minute on a through ball from Luke Macaione. Haverford goalie Will Boyes recorded three saves.
Shipley (girls) lost to Moorestown Friends, 5-1, Oct. 4. The Shipley goal was scored by sophomore Livvy Kaliner off a scuffle in front of the goal. Both Gianna McDougall and Julia Lissack notched goal line saves, and goalie Casey Goss recorded seven saves.
The Gators defeated Friends Select, 3-0, Oct. 2, with a trio of first-half goals, two by senior Carolina Riley. The first goal was scored off a corner, as the ball was inserted to sophomore Peyton Turner, who passed it right to senior Gianna McDougall, who finished it. The second goal was scored by Riley, who took the ball up the field, shot the ball across the goal and freshman Katie Eads was there to tip the ball further into the goal. For the third goal, Riley used her reverse sweep to finish the ball. Junior Gianna Sciole had a goal line save in the second half.