Boys Soccer Preview: Haverford School vies for Inter-Ac immortality

All eyes will be on Haverford School this fall, as a gifted class tries to cap an unprecedented sweep of Inter-Ac titles.

The Fords – led by the last two Daily Times boys soccer players of the year, Shane and Conor Bradley – have won the last three league titles. Should they replicate that feat this season, they’d become the first team in the Inter-Ac’s long and distinguished history ever to run away with four straight crowns.

In addition to the Bradleys, the quest will be undertaken by Connor Gregory, the Fords’ leading scorer each of the last two seasons, and the midfield playmaking that has helped make that prolificacy possible, including Jerry Karalis and Jimmy Tricolli. Alec Haas also returns, and while the Fords face some questions (including Will Baltrus stepping in as the goalkeeper), the Fords will give history quite a run.

Episcopal Academy will hope to obstruct their archrival from attaining that designation. As they were last year, the Churchmen will be defensively compact, thanks in large part to the return of All-Delco goalkeeper Matt Freese and defenders Zach Viscusi and Matt McDevitt. Midfielders Ramon Gallegos and Quinn Dudek will also strengthen the spine of the squad.

Where they may need help, as was the case last season, is up front. Their leading goalscorer, Matt DePillis, is back after 10 goals in 2014. But coach David Knox will want to find someone other than the talented junior to share the scoring burden.