Conestoga opens second season with a shutout over CR North
TREDYFFRIN >> Ten days after a devastating loss in the regular season finale that cost Conestoga an outright Central League Boys’ Soccer Championship, the Pioneers opened the playoffs like a squad ready to turn the page to the second season.
“It’s just a reminder that a loss can happen at any time,’ said ’Stoga head coach Dave Zimmerman. “But it’s better that it happened in the last game of the regular season than today.”
In action for the first time in the District 1 4A Tournament on Thursday, the Pioneers advanced thanks to a workmanlike 2-0 triumph over Council Rock North at Teamer Field. It wasn’t an overwhelming performance, but second-seeded Conestoga (15-2 overall) allowed just one shot on goal in 80 minutes of soccer.
“Strangely enough, losing to Radnor might have been the best thing for us,” Zimmerman explained. “We weren’t playing as well as we could have. So if we won that game, maybe we would just assume everything is good. That loss was a slap in the face, it wakes you up and reminds you that there are things you still need to work on.”
The defending 4A State Champions, the Pioneers move on the district quarterfinals to face the Council Rock South (26) -Spring-Ford (10) winner on Saturday.
“The past couple of games it’s been kind of iffy for this team as far as mentality-wise. We knew today we had to bring it, and that’s what we did,” said senior defender Peter Miller.
“This was a great bounce-back,” Zimmerman added. “I think the first game of the playoffs can be the hardest to win. Even if we lose one in the next round, there is playbacks, so that takes some of the pressure off.”
The 15th seeded Indians wrapped up the season at 13-5-2. Council Rock North edged Kennett in overtime in round one, but had few answers for Conestoga, who had a first round bye.
“Losing that game (to Radnor) put us in the mindset that we are going to go after opponents moving forward,” said junior midfielder Kole Wintersteen. “It’s helped us get that edge and now we have to keep it. We have to have a winning mindset and not be satisfied until we win that next game.
“The 10-day break was a good time to reflect on what happened and fine tune some things.”
The home team had the clear possession advantage as well as a territorial edge in the first half. The Pioneers opened the scoring midway through the first half when Wintersteen converted a penalty kick. And then eight minutes later, ’Stoga made it 2-0 when sophomore Michael Bedwick scored following a scramble after a corner kick.
“I was really happy with the way we came out in the first half, which had been an issue in some recent games,” Zimmerman said. “It was good to play at a high level and get those two goals.”
Things evened up in the final 40 minutes, but the Indians had all sorts of trouble putting any pressure on Pioneers’ goaltender Ryan Carella. The junior shared time all fall with senior Gavin Daly until he was lost for the season with a broken thumb.
“I give (Council Rock North) credit – they won the ball more, had it in our half and were buzzing around,” Zimmerman said.
“But (Carella) has been good for us all season, and I thought this was one of his better games. It also helps that our backline has really been our bread and butter all season.”
The final stats were about what you would expect from two squads that focus so much on the defense. The corner kicks were 3-3, but the Pioneers had a 7-1 edge in shots on goal.
“We didn’t finish strong in the regular season and we want to prove some things to ourselves,” Miller said.
Conestoga 2, Council Rock North 0
Council Rock North 0 0 — 0
Conestoga 2 0 — 2
Conestoga goals: Wintersteen, Bedwick.
Goalie saves: Hopkins (CRN) 5; Carella (C) 1.
