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WILLOW GROVE – The game began with Upper Moreland junoir Tyler Foerst splitting Upper Merion’s defense and firing a rocket into the net 55 seconds into Wednesday night’s SOL finale.
It ended with the Golden Bears’ seniors leaving the field to a rousing ovation and watching the final minutes of Upper Moreland’s 3-0 win over the Vikings from the comfort of their team’s bench.
“We knew we had to come out with a big win - play our hearts out and finish out our season with a win,” junior Kyle Lynch said.
As endings go, the Golden Bears’ final home game of the season – which included a Senior Night celebration - was a good one indeed.
“As a senior, it’s kind of nostalgic,” senior Menvekeh Daramay said. “This is going to be one of our last games, and we just came out and played for the crowd. The crowd was a big help, and it was good to get a win.”“It was nice coming out with the crowd there for us,” senior Tim Uveges added. “There was a lot of enthusiasm, and we came out and played our game. I’m going to miss playing here though.”
Daramay, Ueveges, Tim DeCarolis, John Baez, Josh McCune and A.J. Zauflick are the seniors on the Golden Bears’ roster, and coach Jack Knauss spoke about all six.
“Menvekeh is all-area, all-this, all-that, and he’s the gentleman UCLA sent a letter wanting him,” the Golden Bears’ coach said. “He’s a quality player, and he’s our team leader. How he goes – we go.
“He’s surrounded by some great kids. Tim DeCarolis has been on this varsity field for three years. He’s a quality outside left halfback. He understands the game, plays very well – he’s passionate, and he’s the kind of kid I want on my team when I’m coaching.
“Johnny Baez controls the center of the field. I don’t know what we’ll do next year. We call him the ‘WH’ - the workhorse. He’s small in stature, but he takes care of business. I don’t know how to replace him.“Tim Uveges has been with me for three years on the varsity. He’s a natural leader, and he’s just tremendous and was an all-SOL first team keeper last year. Josh McCune was hurt, so he couldn’t play. A.J. Zauflick is a hard-working kid, never complains and just does what he’s told.
“It’s sad in a lot of ways because I’m going to miss these great kids, but I’m happy because they’re finishing out their senior year with a great season.”
The game itself showcased the Golden Bears’ talent with Foerst – in a stellar individual effort - setting the tone with his early goal.“I was surprised with it, but I knew we were going to come out strong, and I knew we were going to score early and often,” Lynch said of the early score.
With 5:18 remaining in the first half, junior Tommy Hays beat the goalie to a ball, turning a pass from Foerst into a goal that sent the Golden Bears into halftime with a 2-0 lead.
Only the 14-save effort of Viking goalie Tom Schiliro in the half kept the Vikings within striking distance. Included in his first-half saves was a dazzling diving stop of a rocket by DeCarolis just over six minutes into the game. Minutes later, he delivered a diving stop of a laser shot by Daramay, who can create magic with his feet on the soccer field.
Foerst (Hays assist) put the finishing touches on a big night with a goal early in the second half for the 3-0 final.
As a result of their win, the Golden Bears improved to 11-3 overall.
“Our goal was 10 wins, and we’ve already passed it,” Knauss said. “I said a couple of days ago, ‘Let’s not say it’s the ending – we want to hug and cry, but we have to wait. We have to focus on the task at hand.’“Our task right now is to get in the playoffs, get that first win and go further.”
The players say they are not surprised by their team’s success this season.
“We were young last year, so we pretty much have the same starters,” Lynch said. “We have great team chemistry, we work together and we also have a very strong defensive third and offensive third, and our center midfield is superb.”Ask the players what they have enjoyed most about their final high school season, and they don’t mention a big win. Rather, they point to something far more lasting.
“I think the camaraderie,” Daramay said. “We really didn’t have anyone trying to be a superstar or trying to do everything by themselves. We play as a team. We win as a team, and we lose as a team.”
“We’re all friends, and we really come together on the field,” Uveges added. “It’s nice to be playing with people you’re friends with.”
UPPER MORELAND 3, UPPER MERION 0
Upper Merion 0 0-0
Upper Moreland 2 1-3
Goals/Assists: Upper Moreland – Tyler Foerst 2-1, Tommy Hayes 1-1, Daramay Menvekeh 0-1.
Shots: UMerion – 15, UMoreland 30.
Saves: Tom Schiliro (UMerion) 23, Tim Uveges (UMoreland) 5, Kyle Walder (UMoreland) 6.
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