Neshaminy is set to top stellar 2013 campaign
The only trouble with going undefeated during the regular season is trying to come up with an encore. The Neshaminy boys soccer team appears to have discovered the perfect answer for this dilemma.
Last season, Neshaminy posted an unblemished 11-0-3 record in the SOL National division and captured their second straight league title. Graduation took its inevitable toll as coach Tom Foley’s charges faced the 2014 campaign minus stellar performers Nick Tucci, the team’s high scorer, and goalie Chris Watson.
Transitioning to a new season, however, appears to have presented few problems for Neshaminy. The reigning champs jumped out to a 5-0 start, 4-0 in the league. Equally impressive is the offensive onslaught that marks their play. Neshaminy has outscored their first five opponents by a 17-8 margin.
Senior Kenny Herrmann, who netted three goals in the first two games, knows this encore should please Neshaminy fans.
“We’ve been scoring a lot of goals. Last year, they were all close games, 2-1, 1-0, but this year, we’re scoring a lot. We’ve been playing really well. We lost some big players last year but others have stepped up.’
The season opened with a 3-2 win over Holy Ghost, the defending Class AAA state champions. Kenny knew this was a big first step.
“A key game was our first official game against Holy Ghost. We came out and won 3-2 on our home field. We’ve been very good and very positive since then.’
Good seems a bit understated. Neshaminy reeled off four straight league victories, defeating Bensalem 2-0, Abington 3-2, William Tennent 5-3, and Council Rock North 4-1.
The game against Tennent proved a battle of the unbeatens. Sole control of first place in the National division was at stake.
“The talk was this was two undefeated teams so whoever won that game, took the number one spot. It was also our first night game so we were very psyched to get the win.’
In what has become a trademark for their 2014 campaign, the Skins roared out to a 3-0 lead on goals by Dylan McDonald, Dan Grindrod, and Kevin Goetz.
“The key to the game was how fast we came. We scored two goals in the first 10 minutes. That was true in our last few games. We’ve come out quickly.’
Hermann set up the second tally himself by executing a perfect crossing pass to Grindrod. “It started on the left side. We switched the ball all the way through our backs to me on the right side. I took it by two guys and crossed it. It happened so fast. We watched a video of the game and our coach focused on that play because of how fast we moved it.’
Tennent finally got on the board in the 29th minute but Neshaminy quickly retaliated. Goals by McDonald and Zach Albarran boosted their lead to 5-1. The smooth and methodical style of play is what Kenny labeled Neshaminy’s brand of soccer.
“We’re very technical in the middle. Our backfield is very solid. They usually don’t let anything through. We move the ball very well. Once we get that going, everything seems to click.’
As a striker, Kenny plays a big part of the scoring thrust. “My job is to score. I’m not so much a defender but I’m always up top. My size and strength are my biggest assets. I also have speed and that gives me an advantage.’
Kenny called on all his physical skills to help the Skins get off to such a good start. He scored two goals in the win over Holy Ghost. He followed that up with a tally in the second game against Bensalem.
More importantly, he has helped Neshaminy as it takes aim on its biggest goal.
