Lower Merion boys’ soccer rallies around Team Together philosophy

Lower Merion >> Sometimes, the true characteristic of a team does not come out until its suffers a difficult defeat.
Following a 2-1 loss at Strath Haven Sept. 13, the Aces did not point fingers at each other but instead started talking about what they had to do differently if they wanted to get back to the success they had at the beginning of the season – a 3-0 start.
“The loss to Strath Haven was definitely an eye opener,” said senior Wyatt Page. “Last year we did not lose early in the season, so this loss gave us a bad feeling that we do not want to experience again.”
With a philosophy of “Team Together”, Lower Merion (6-1, 2-1) won its next three games, outscoring Penncrest, Marple Newtown and Easton Area High School by a combined 9-1 margin.
“We are known to have a good squad, so we want to continue to push the tradition to our younger players,” said senior Harrison Bloch, who scored the first goal in the 4-1 win against Marple Newtown Sept. 20.
Bloch got the scoring started early against Marple Newtown. Just 15 seconds into the match, Bloch took the long pass from off the opening tip and chipped over the keeper’s head into the back of the net.
“We knew we wanted to play the opening tap long,” said Bloch. “The Marple defense stepped up and I saw a gap. I ran underneath the ball and chipped it over the keeper’s head.”
While the Aces finding success in the offensive third has been comforting for the Lower Merion coaching staff, LM’s play in the middle of the pitch along with the defensive third has certainly been a bright spot.
“We always emphasize a well-balanced team,” said Lower Merion head coach Nico Severini. “For us it is important to have a solid defense that can start the play to our midfield, who can then create the goal-scoring opportunities.”
Starting the play for the Aces are senior central defenders Ethan Blouin and Shane Boyer, who get the ball to one of the many midfielders that include sophomore Eli Forman or seniors Isaac Brainsky and Wyatt Joseph in the center, or to one of the wide midfielders, Cole Sanchez and Shane Brown.