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By Alex Frazier
YARDLEY - Tom Stoddart reminded his team of all the hard work and training they had put in.
After losing to Council Rock North in the first game of the Suburban One League season, Pennsbury had won seven straight.
The Indians had likewise won all their succeeding league games to make Monday’s clash between the archrivals a matter of championship or no championship for the Falcons.
“We reminded them that they needed to go out and string some passes together, which they started to do in the overtime,” said Stoddart.
Stoddart’s little speech obviously motivated the Falcons, who came out pumped for the first overtime period.
Less than a minute into play, Eddie Adams fired a shot off the left post and Kyle McDonald banged the rebound off the crossbar.
At 8:29 Adams scored the golden goal to give Pennsbury a 2-1 win and a share of first place in the National Conference.
“It was a very even game,” said Adams “We knew we had to step it up in overtime. We wanted this win. We wanted a big revenge.”
The sequence began with Kyle McDonald playing a ball to Brian Powers, who made a run at the Rock goal. He fired off a shot.
“I knew he had a great shot, so I was like, ‘I have to get this rebound,’” said Adams. “The goalie bobbled it; I had the rebound. It went in. Game over.”
It was Adams 10th goal of the season.
Council Rock North coach Wendell Beres was obviously disappointed his team didn’t win, but as he said, “If you had told me in August, we’d be 10-1 after 11 games and tied for first place, I would have taken that every time. It still hurts, but I’ll take that every time.”
Although many of the players are good friends off the field, there is no love lost once they lace up the cleats as the 25 fouls and six yellows cards attest to.
“It’s a game,” said Adams, “You have to fight. There’s no friends with the other team when you’re on the field.”
The game, technically a home one for Pennsbury, was played at the Yardley-Makefield complex, which a host of players for both teams call home for their club teams.
Pennsbury opted to hold the game there rather than playing on their narrow home football field, which isn’t conducive to good soccer.
The gigantic turf field certainly opened the game up and gave the fans that stood packed against the surrounding fence a taste of some of the best high school soccer they could ever see.
The contest was very fast as both teams established a short passing game that tended to promote play in the final third at both ends.
Just like they did in the overtime, the Falcons started the game on fire with Jimmy Ockford netting the go-ahead goal just over two minutes into the contest.
Both teams had several good opportunities to score. Rock’s Nick Becker, who took the first shot of the game just missed outside the right post. Another North shot banged off the upright. Erik Mazurkiewicz just missed a tally over the upper left corner.
Adams almost hooked Sawyer Waters up with a goal, but the sophomore banged it over the crossbar.
Rock North got back in the game early in the second half when Brian Magley made a nice run down the right side and crossed the ball to Steve Neumann at the left post.
“We started to get a little comfortable,” said Adams. “They came back and scored. We got a little outplayed, but we came back and I’m proud of everyone on our team.”
“Regardless of who is on top at the end, both teams played really well,” said Beres. “When you play a team 10 times that’s as good as Pennsbury, you might win five and you’ll probably lose five.”
Pennsbury keeper Drew Hutchins came up big several times to keep the Falcons’ hopes alive as Rock pressed to score the winning goal.
One of his best saves came when he held on to a Neumann blast at point-blank range.
“Drew’s a fantastic keeper,” said Beres. “We have one ourselves, and in big games, you need the goalkeeper to make every routine save and come up with one or two big ones. Drew probably came up with four. He’s in a different class than most goalkeepers.”
Hutchins not only stops shots, he orchestrates the offense.
“He’s the catalyst of our offense,” said Stoddart. “He had an assist the other night. Kids rely on him.”
Both teams are tied atop the league with 7-1 records.
It looks like William Tennent, which has been playing well lately could become the spoiler for one of the teams.
Pennsbury takes on the Panthers on Tuesday, while North meets them on Friday.
Certainly a big week in the SOL National.
“We have to win out,” said Adams.
Pennsbury (7-1) 2, Council Rock North (7-1) 1 OT
Goals: Jimmy Ockford (P), Steve Neumann (CRN), Eddie Adams (P)
Assists: Brian Magley (CRN), Brian Powers (P)
Shots: Pennsbury 10, Council Rock North 12
Saves: Drew Hutchins (P) 6, Phil Marks (CRN) 5
Corners: Pennsbury 6, Council Rock North 8
Fouls: Pennsbury 12, Council Rock North 13
Yellow cards: Wendell Beres (CRN), Askia Rumph (P), Tom Stoddart (P), Erik Mazurkiewicz (CRN), Jimmy Ockford (P), Bill McConnell (CRN)
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