Pottstown blanks Pope John Paul II
ROYERSFORD – With playoffs just a few weeks away, every game matters as each shot, each assist and each save are magnified.
Pottstown felt the pressure but refused to crumble as the Trojans shut-out Pope John Paul II 3-0 in a Pioneer Athletic Conference clash Monday afternoon and moved into a tie with Phoenixville for the final seed in the Frontier Division.
According to Pottstown head coach Jason Pace, it was a must-win game for the Trojans (3-6, 4-6-1).
“This win was very important in our fight to make the playoffs,’ said Pace. “I’m really happy with how we came out today: we struck the ball well and kept those guys from scoring.’
What ultimately kept PJP from scoring was a strong defensive effort from Pottstown as well as 10 saves from first-year goalkeeper Chase McKain.
“Chase was outstanding in goal for us today,’ said Pace. “He made a lot of tough stops and shut down anything they threw at him. I’m really proud of the way he played.’
McKain himself admitted, though, the turnout would have been much different without the help of his defense.
“Our defense kept the pressure on them all game long which made my job a lot easier in net,’ the junior said. “Sure, I made a few good saves, but things would have been much different if I didn’t have my team in front of me the whole way.’
The Golden Panthers (0-8, 0-10) nearly jumped out in front first, but missed by just inches as Jake Bevenaour got it across the middle to Luke DeLeo, who stung one off the post in the 19th minute.
“We had some good chances, but we just couldn’t find a way finish and score goals,’ said Pope John Paul II head coach Tom Csongradi. “Unfortunately, we just couldn’t match Pottstown’s effort.’
With the score still tied 0-0, Pottstown’s Sherif Mohamed took advantage of the defense’s inability to clear the ball which forced Aaron Lemma out of goal. The keeper dove to knock the ball away from Mohamed, but the midfielder held possession and fired it into the back of the net at 39:07 to give the Trojans a 1-0 lead.
Just under 30 seconds later, Tyler Keefer took possession of the ball past midfield, shook off a defender and fired it past Lemma for a 2-0 lead going into halftime.
“That was a great way to close out the first half,’ the senior midfielder said. “We didn’t capitalize on a lot of opportunities in the beginning of the game, but it felt good to score two quick goals going into the half. It definitely helped us stay hot for the rest of the game.’
The first 12 minutes of the second half looked to be a defensive struggle as neither team could create a quality opportunity.
But at 13:46, Jake Fetterman took a throw-in that the Golden Panthers tried to clear, but after a deflection, Logan Pennypacker flicked it into the goal extending Pottstown’s lead to 3-0.
“For me, it was definitely about time,’ said Pennypacker, who admitted he’s been on a dry stretch when it comes to scoring. “It felt good to score again and help put the game away.’
Although the Golden Panthers created opportunities and chances all throughout the remainder of the game, they couldn’t find a way to get past the Pottstown defense and score.
In the 34th minute, Michael Vereb, shook his defender and pulled McKain out of position. When he fired the ball at the net, Pottstown’s Justin Stewart was there to clear it out of the zone.
“Today was pretty much the story of our season,’ said Bevenaour, PJP’s captain. “We create a lot of good chances throughout the game, but we just can’t find the back of the net when we really need to. It’s frustrating, but I’m proud of the way we fight to the finish every game.’
As his team now moves into a tie for second in the Frontier Division, Pace knows that his Pottstown team has an ample chance of making the playoffs.
“I’d love for these guys to win out and experience playoff soccer,’ he said. “I have a lot of confidence in these guys. If we can play the way we did today, we’ll be a tough team to beat.’
