WEST NORRITON — Jacob Matthews had never been a goalkeeper in high school prior to the 2023 season.
The Delaware County Christian School senior was a defender for three seasons, but over the summer he pitched the idea of changing positions to coach Rob Atkins and his staff.
“He comes to us and says, ‘Coach, I think I can best serve the team in goal,’” Atkins said. “He is IQ-wise and GPA-wise one of the smartest kids on the team. He is a very bright kid.”
With Matthews in net the Knights did something few thought could happen. Tuesday evening at Norristown High, Delco Christian battled District 1 Class A champion and undefeated Faith Christian to a 1-1 draw. Then the Knights advanced to their first state final on penalty kicks, 4-2, and Matthews was a hero.
With the Knights up 3-2 in PKs, Matthews dove to his left to deny Ben Goodrich. It would prove to be Faith’s last chance.
“Faith’s second taker (on PKs) did the same run-up as that guy. He went to my left, so I thought ‘Oh, (Goodrich) is going to my left.’ That’s what I mainly look for. It’s really just a mental game at that point,” Matthews said.
The save by Matthews enabled DC senior Griffin Schmitt the opportunity to score the game-winner and become the Knights’ second hero.
Schmitt delivered, lofting the ball in the air and over the outstretched reach of Faith goalie Roman Sigafoos. The Knights’ bench and student section erupted in celebration.
Delco Christian (18-3-2) will play for the PIAA Class A championship Saturday, 1 p.m. at Eagle View Middle School in Mechanicsburg. The Knights will meet either Bentworth or Charleroi, both from District 7.
“We did the impossible. No one thought we could do it but we pulled off the impossible,” Schmitt said. “I knew it was in as soon as I hit it. … It was wild.”
The Knights were shut out by Faith Christian 6-0 in September. The teams’ second match in the District 1 final was far more competitive, but Faith escaped with a 3-2 win. It was only the second time this season Faith allowed as many as two goals in a game.
The Knights were content with playing an out-of-possession strategy in Tuesday’s meeting. Even after Colin Moyer put Faith ahead 1-0 in the 33rd minute of the second half, the Knights stayed in their defensive-oriented set. It was a game of long kicks and 50-50 balls, and Faith routinely applied pressure on Matthews and the Knights. Cody Dill, Ryan Carroll and Ben Newbury were among the defensive standouts who kept the Knights afloat.
“For the first 60 minutes of the game we were intentionally playing a mid-block, so we are playing compact within 25 yards and not going after it,” Atkins said. “Basically we were letting Faith beat us with the long balls and waste energy. Their starters have not had to play an 80-minute game like that before. … and we knew that. That is what we were intending to do. If we had to go into overtime, we wanted to go into overtime because our best opportunities would come if we could get them tired.”
Cortez Cordone scored the equalizer with 1:19 left to play. The Knights’ top offensive weapon was stymied for most of the night, but when DC switched formations in the final 20 minutes of regulation, Cordone was able to operate with more space.
“I got to the end of that last ball and I really felt that it was going to go in,” Cardone said. “I just finished it with all my heart and I was so happy. It was such a great feeling.”
