Strath Haven’s aggression makes up for size disadvantage against Penncrest

NETHER PROVIDENCE — Towering height isn’t something that stands out from the Strath Haven backline off the soccer field. But on it, considering the robust share of aerial duels the unit manages to win, you might be surprised they’re not a little taller.

That was the plan Wednesday night against Penncrest, which had the objective edge in height. It mattered little to the Panthers in a 1-0 win in the first round of the District 1 Class 3A tournament, fueled by a set-piece own goal in the first half and solidified by 80 minutes of defending.

“It’s just about aggression and who wants it more,” Haven center back Luigi Malo said. “And obviously we wanted that game more than they did.”

Goalie Charlie Shankweiler made just one save in posting the Panthers’ second shutout this season against the Lions, compounding a 3-0 affair in September. The main reason for the light workload was a comprehensive defensive effort by Malo and Harris Hardy in the middle and outside backs J.T. Holstein and Simon Bolinger.

It doesn’t hurt that the No. 4 Panthers (10-7-1) managed to keep the ball most of the game, defending by not having to defend. With midfield outlets Emmet Young and Andrew Lowman to pick off passes and transition, the Panthers took the sting out of fifth-seeded Penncrest’s chase for an equalizer.

“We had possession for the majority of the game,” forward Peter Boerth said. “We can just work it around a few times, ping it back up. When they don’t have the ball, they can’t score, and that’s our defensive-mindedness.”

“We just have to keep the ball in their half, is what we said at halftime,” Malo said. “We wanted to keep the ball in their half and keep going at them.”

The win books Strath Haven a date with top seed Bishop Shanahan in Saturday’s semifinals. The winner of that game goes to states, loser goes home.

Penncrest chances were few and far between. Ethan Emery fired over on a free kick from 35 yards early in the first half. The next real danger moment didn’t come until the final 10 minutes, when a speculative Emery cross from the right wing eluded a pair of Penncrest attackers in the box, needing just a touch to urge it wide of the sliding Shankweiler. Instead, he collected with relative ease.

“It just sucks because it’s such a tight game,” Emery said. “They’re our rival, too. It sucks because it could’ve gone either way. They had one bounce in on their side. But I’m proud of the effort we put in.”

Strath Haven goal! It’s an own goal off Steven Woolery. Emmet Young took the free kick. Peter Boerth the header back across goal pic.twitter.com/28pprj8376

— Matthew De George (@sportsdoctormd) October 23, 2019

That bounce was also provided by the Panthers’ aerial prowess, an own goal in the 21st minute. Young swung in a free kick that landed on the head of Boerth, but instead of at goal, the ball angled into the mixer in the six-yard box, caromed off a retreating Steven Woolery and into the net.

“Emmet played a perfect ball right to my head,” Boerth said. “I didn’t place it exactly how I wanted. I kind of hit it back toward the middle, and one of the Penncrest defenders ran it into the net. But we’ll take it, and it was great for my team to lock it down and secure the victory.”

Emery and the Lions were mostly bottled up. The creative midfielder often had either Lowman or Jake Hooper for company, the duo charged with spying the Lions’ main creative outlet. Justin Potts made three saves in goal, including a stellar leaping denial of an Ethan Birch shot after what appeared to be a handball on Birch.

Despite the result, the Lions have much to be proud about in their first year under coach Mike Deleo.

“This group did a lot this year. We went from 6-10 to 10-7,” Emery said. “Us seniors, we worked hard in the offseason and turned this program around, so I’m happy with how this season ended still.”

Strath Haven’s postseason journey is different than last year’s, which led to the PIAA final. That’s not on the minds of the current group, even though many were part of that squad.

It’s one day at a time this postseason, even if they know what’s at the end of that road.

“For me personally and the returners, I think the experience that we got last year from playing in the big games, especially away, is really going to pay dividends in these upcoming away games,” Boerth said. “To be able to be super tired, running back and forth with a minute left and you’re up and working super hard and to be able to come out on top like we did last year, I think it will help us a lot to try to come out on top this year.”