North Penn wins backyard battle with Lansdale Catholic
TOWAMENCIN >> In a maze of bodies packed in tight in front of the Lansdale Catholic net, the ball popped out to the one player who was not going to miss.
“It was a good finish, and that was the difference in the game,” North Penn coach Paul Duddy said of Mike Kohler’s goal, coming just moments into the second half.
“It was clogged in the middle, and there’s no place for (Kohler) to go, and he’s real smart, makes that touch, and gets it over the top, scores the goal,” Crusader coach Joe Wilson said. “It was a brilliant goal.”
Kohler’s tally was the lone score in a good, physical battle between LC and North Penn on Saturday morning, as the Knights prevailed 1-0 in the annual non-league clash, lifting their record to 5-1-0.
“LC played very well. They defended well, they were compact on defense,” Duddy said.
The Knights put consistent pressure on the LC net throughout the first half, but Crusader keeper Jack Kane was the road block, coming up with multiple saves — and a couple of amazing ones later — to keep the game scoreless at the break.
“Jack Kane had a great day today,” Wilson said. “He made a lot of early saves. That one goal goes in and he doesn’t let that affect him.”
The Knights had a chance to double their lead in the final minutes, but Kane was able to make a save on a PK by Kohler, keeping it a one-score contest.
“I told Jack, ‘don’t react. Think.’ And he watched (Kohler) plant his foot, and Jack knew right where he was going,” Wilson said.
The stop spurred on the Crusaders (5-3-0) for one final offensive surge, but North Penn was once again able to get possession and clear the ball out. Goals against the Knights have been almost non-existent, unbeaten Central Bucks East being the only team to score against NP this fall.
NP senior keeper Jordan Katz has already racked up five shutouts in six games, including Saturday’s.
“(This game) is the best,” Katz said. “Hometown rivals, it’s always a hard game, very chippy, but it’s good to pull out with a win. It’s definitely a different atmosphere (when we play LC). The crowd’s more energized, there’s more people, everybody’s watching us, and you just gotta perform.
“The defense has played amazing this year. I can’t believe how good they’re playing. I’m not even getting much action — you gotta give all the credit to them. It’s a good start. We lost a tough one to East but we’re rebounding pretty well, getting some good wins.”
North Penn is in action again Monday, at home against Pennridge, and the Crusaders (3-0-0 in the Philadelphia Catholic League) get ready for a pair of PCL battles against St. Joe’s and Roman Catholic.
Top Photo: North Penn’s Mike Kohler (8) hustles a ball upfield past Lansdale Catholic defender Sean Rutz (6) during their contest at North Penn High School on Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015. (Mark C Psoras/The Reporter)
