Phoenixville downs Holy Ghost Prep for first trip to District 1-3A final, state tournament

PHOENIXVILLE >> If there is indeed such a thing as a good loss, then Phoenixville’s unexpected setback in the Pioneer Athletic Conference boys soccer semifinals two weeks ago seems to have been just that.

Since then, the Phantoms have shut out two straight District 1-3A opponents, including a 1-0 semifinal win over Holy Ghost Prep Tuesday night at Washington Field, to earn their first-ever trip to a district final and the PIAA Tournament.

Efe Ulcay scored off a pass from Nate Stewart with 20 minutes remaining in a mostly evenly-played match and the Phoenixville defense effectively shut down the Firebirds the rest of the way. The Phantoms will play for the title Thursday at 5 p.m. at Norristown against Springfield Township.

No. 2 seed Phoenixville (18-2-1) had gone through the PAC regular season undefeated and led Upper Perkiomen 3-1 in the league Final Four, only to end up with a 4-3 loss in overtime.

“It was kind of a slap in the face before district playoffs,” said Phantom coach Michael Cesarski.

“That was it, pretty much,” said Ulcay. “We learned a lot from that game.”

Phoenixville had its best chance to score in the first half when Ulcay passed to Stewart for a blast from the right wing, but Firebird goalkeeper Timothy Devine made a diving deflection of the shot and the ball rolled harmlessly across the goal mouth.

The Phantoms controlled much of the play early in the second half. Then they struck quickly for the only goal of the night.

“I think the (Firebird) defense was sleeping a little bit,” said Ulcay. “A perfect pass, and I trusted myself to be able to finish.”

No. 3 seed Holy Ghost Prep (12-7) had a couple of good opportunities in the second half when they were awarded free kicks just outside the top of the box, but both were blocked by the wall set up by the Phantom defense.

The Firebirds had another chance in the final seconds of the contest when Devine came down into the offensive end and put a ball right out in front of the goal, but a header attempt missed and the Phantoms booted the ball far back down the field as time expired.

“We knew they were a really high-level team,” said Cesarski. “We had to be disciplined in the back, be sound defensively.”

Phoenixville had an 8-1 advantage in corner kicks. Devine made three saves while Phantom keeper Jason O’Neill made four, three of them early in the game as Holy Ghost controlled the play.

“I thought it was a pretty even game,” said Firebird coach Ken Lawson. “They’re a good team. No. 27 (Stewart) and No. 9 (Ulcay) are handfuls. We knew that. Their record is legit. I wish them luck.”

The Phantoms might have hit a lull down the stretch of the regular season, but worked hard to get their defense ready for the district playoffs over the past two weeks.

“At the end of the season we had a run of games against teams that didn’t have the best won-loss records,” said Cesarski. “And we led 3-1 against Upper Perk. But we’ve worked hard the last couple of weeks and the first couple of playoff games we’ve had a couple clean sheets.”

“It means a lot to everybody,” said Ulcay. “Anything to get the win. Even the guys who didn’t play have great spirit. I’ve been playing with all of these guys since elementary or middle school. It’s great to be with them in such a meaningful event.”

Holy Ghost had been down for a couple of years compared to previous seasons, but things are looking up for the Firebirds.

“This year was much better,” said Lawson. “I thought the seniors did extremely well and we have some young talent. I anticipate being back in this position next year.”

Phoenixville 1, Holy Ghost Prep 0

Holy Ghost Prep 0 0 – 0
Phoenixville 0 1 – 1
Scoring
Second quarter
PX-Efe Ulcay (Nate Stewart)
Saves: HGP 3 (Timothy Devine), PX 4 (JAson O’Neill)
Corner kicks: HGP 1, PX 8