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Depth powers ‘Stoga past Lower Merion and into district semifinals

Boys High School Soccer

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Conestoga's Cole Frederick (1) celebrates a goal on Saturday against Lower Merion. Photo by Tom Silknitter.
Conestoga’s Cole Frederick (1) celebrates a goal on Saturday against Lower Merion. Photo by Tom Silknitter.

By Neil Geoghegan
ngeoghegan@21st-centurymedia.com
@NeilMGeoghegan on Twitter
TREDYFFRIN >> It was just another installment of one of the state’s best boys’ soccer rivalries, but this time it was for a berth in the PIAA District 1 4A semifinals.
In similar fashion to the regular season clash, top-seeded Conestoga took advantage of its set pieces, and used its overall team depth to wear down visiting Lower Merion, and come away with a 2-0 quarterfinal result.
It was the same score as the earlier meeting on Oct. 3.
“It’s never easy against (Lower Merion). They are our biggest rival, and in my career we’ve played them more times than any other team,” said Pioneers’ head coach Dave Zimmerman.
“Every time we play (Lower Merion) it’s a tough match,” echoed Conestoga junior midfielder Cole Frederick. “It comes down to the set pieces most of the time, and I feel like today we did a good job of capitalizing on that.”
Frederick converted a throw-in about 10 minutes into the second half and it wound up being the game-winner. The fact that it came off an assist from teammate Westin Fryberger was absolutely no surprise.
“(Fryberger’s) throw-ins are ridiculous,” Frederick said. “It’s a cheat code. He can throw it upwards of 30-35 yards, so that basically creates opportunities like a corner kick anytime we are inside the 30.”
Now 18-0-1, Conestoga moves on to host No. 4 Downingtown East on Tuesday, with the winner earning a spot in the district final. And along the way ’Stoga avenged a loss to the eighth-ranked Aces in an all Central League district final a year ago.
The Aces (15-3-3 overall) drop into playbacks and will host No. 12 Council Rock North on Tuesday.
“We always know that these playoff runs, whatever postseason round it is, we are probably going to end up seeing Conestoga,” said Lower Merion head coach Nico Severini. “It speaks volumes about the two programs, and honestly our league.”

Conestoga's Michael Haley celebrates his goal versus Lower Merion. Photo by Tom Silknitter.
Conestoga’s Michael Haley celebrates his goal versus Lower Merion. Photo by Tom Silknitter.

Following an evenly contested first half, the Pioneers dominated the final 40 minutes, logging nine shots on goal and allowing zero. It’s a testament to ’Stoga’s overall depth and a stingy defense that’s allowed just six goals in 19 outings this season.
“If someone is slacking a little bit, we have someone else with fresh legs to come in,” Frederick said of the Pioneers’ depth.
“We are fortunate to have a lot of good players, so my philosophy is if we have it, why not use it?” Zimmerman added. “Our players are all willing to be subbed, they don’t complain about being taken out – they get it.
“It’s a part of our formula. We’ll take 0-0 at the half as a win for us, and that the field will gradually tilt our way in the second half.”
It also ended up being the 17th shutout of the season for the Pioneers.
“We have so much trust in our back line. That is the core of our team,” Frederick said.
“Defense is what our program is built around,” Zimmerman agreed. “I thought we played outstanding today. They don’t get enough credit.
“With our two center backs on the field – Tommy Barausky and Brady Costin — we haven’t given up a goal in the run of play in the whole season.”
Fryberger’s offensive zone throw-ins have also been a dangerous weapon all season, and Conestoga capitalized on its fourth chance of the second half, with a lob from 25 yards out that Frederick got his head on and directed it into the back of the net.
“It was the fourth or fifth one coming in, and I remember trying to get up first and I got my head on it and it ended up going over the keeper’s head and in,” Frederick recalled.
“We’ve gotten a lot of goals off of that,” Zimmerman added. “I can only imagine what it would be like to be on the other side of that. I would go gray very quickly.
“It’s an incredible weapon, so we get everybody up in the box. It’s almost like a matter of time – there is a certain percentage each time you do it, that you are going to score if you get enough of them.”
Even though the Aces didn’t really have any second half scoring chances, the Pioneers made it a moot point when, with 4:15 to go, senior Michael Haley made it 2-0 off an assist from teammate Luke Nevins.
“Conestoga is very athletic and tall so it is a challenge to break them down,” Severini said. “But we did create a couple (scoring) chances in the first half.
“They have a tremendous throw, but we were ready for it and overall did a nice job with it on the day. One goal can change the complexion of a game.”
In a scoreless first half, the Pioneers had a slight edge in shots and prime scoring chances, including shots by Fryberger, Mike Bedwick and Frederick – all in the final 16 minutes. But Lower Merion might have had the best chance when senior Ben Cromer beat Pioneer goaltender Ryan Carella to a back header from a defender. But Cromer’s rushed shot at the 28:18 mark was wide left.
“It was a very nice performance, but we fell just a little short,” Severini said. “Just like our first matchup with Conestoga, the game comes down to two or three critical chances.
“There are very few teams left playing at this stage. We want to make the most of the opportunity.”
Conestoga and Downingtown East did not play in the regular season, but the Pioneers did record shutout wins over Ches-Mont champion West Chester Henderson and Downingtown West.
“We are very confident, but we need to show it at every stage on the field,” Frederick warned.

Conestoga 2, Lower Merion 0
Lower Merion 0 0 — 0
Conestoga 0 2 — 2
Conestoga goals: Frederick, Haley.
Goalie saves: Johnson (LM) 15, Carella (C) 4.