Jarrad Saffren recaps Neshaminy’s win over Central Bucks East in PKs to earn the program’s first trip to states since 2008. North Penn edged CR North in the third place game. (Neshaminy photo courtesy of John Gleeson. http://photos.suburbanonesports.com/g/110216_neshaminy_vs_lower_merion_jrg
#6 NESHAMINY 0, #8 CENTRAL BUCKS EAST 0 (4-3 PKS)
By Jarrad Saffren
Neshaminy scored 57 goals before Saturday. Central Bucks East gave up nine.
Neshaminy scored three goals in a District One Class 4A playback win over Lower Merion Wednesday. Lower Merion had given up 9 goals all season going into that game.
CB East shut out an explosive Pennsbury team in a district playback game Wednesday.
Something had to give Saturday in the district fifth-place game between Neshaminy and CB East. The winner would clinch District One’s last spot in the PIAA Class 4A tournament.
Neshaminy’s offense gave on Saturday. CB East shut out Neshaminy for 110 minutes – two halves and two overtimes.
But there was only one problem. Neshaminy’s defense played just as well as CB East’s defense. The Redskins also shut out the Patriots for 110 minutes – two halves and two overtimes.
The game came down to penalty kicks. Neshaminy made four. CB East made three. Both teams missed their first penalty kicks. CB East also missed its third. Two Patriots missed the net entirely on their shots.
Dan Grindrod missed Neshaminy’s first attempt. But Neshaminy players—Dylan McDonald, Jack McCourt, Jared Stonkus and Vince Hosephros— buried their next four shots. Hosephros scored the winning goal.
“That was the most nervous experience of my life,” Hosephros said. “I’ve never felt that way before. It was such a big moment.”
The kick sent Neshaminy to the state tournament as District One’s No. 5 seed. It also ended CB East’s season. The Patriots will not defend their state title.
“We just didn’t have a scorer,” Patriots coach Jeremiah White said. “We did pretty well for a team that didn’t have that. We were able to control games with our defense.”
Neshaminy and CB East may have shut each other out in regulation and both overtimes, but both teams had chances.
Two CB East shots hit posts. One hit the top post and deflected away. Neshaminy keeper Val Scarsellatto tipped the other shot off the side post.
Scarsellatto only needed to make two saves all game. His defenders—Jon Albarran, Kevin Hanscin, McDonald and Stonkus—limited CB East’s other chances.
“Val played well,” Neshaminy coach Tom Foley said. “But the defenders were all really good. They didn’t give CB East many chances. We also controlled the ball more often.”
Neshaminy had five or six chances, according to Foley. But the Redskins missed wide on most of them. Neshaminy’s midfielder and top playmaker—Grindrod—was not able to set up his speedy teammates like he usually does.
CB East surrounded him with three or four players whenever Grindrod touched the ball. “They were all over him,” Foley said. “He didn’t have the space he normally does. CB East is a great defensive team. They really plug up the middle.”
“We have been that way all year,” White said. “The only time we gave up goals was when our outside backs were out.”
Even with Grindrod blanketed, Neshaminy controlled more possessions in the first half and early in the second half. But CB East controlled more possessions the rest of the second half.
Both teams also struggled to possess the ball and create chances for long stretches.
The field conditions played a part. Neshaminy’s football team hosted a playoff game Friday night. The soccer game started about 15 hours after the football game, leaving minimal time to fix the field.
All of these factors—the narrowly missed opportunities, the field conditions, the strong defense—combined to keep both teams off the board. It was the type of game CB East preferred. But when it came down to offense, the offensive team won.
Neshaminy has not made states since 2008.
“The guys were really excited,” Foley said. “None of them have been this far. We’ve had a lot of good seasons but have fallen short.”
“We are going in playing our best,” Hosephros said. “Especially with the last two teams we beat.”
Neshaminy has beaten probably the two best defensive teams—Lower Merion and CB East—in District One.
“District One is a really tough district,” Foley said. “Getting through that, it prepares you for states.”
Neshaminy (16-6) will play Hempfield – the No. 1 seed from District Three – Tuesday. CB East ends the season at 13-6-3, one win shy of the state tournament.
White enjoyed his first season at CB East, replacing legendary predecessor Mike Gorni. “Oh yeah I’ll be back,” White said. “We need to find that scorer. I need to create one. We have a really strong freshmen class coming in, so we should find one or two.”
Neshaminy 0-0-0-0-4
Central Bucks East 0-0-0-0-3
Third Place Game
#5 NORTH PENN 2, #3 COUNCIL ROCK NORTH 1
In a battle for third place and district seeding heading into states, it was the visiting Knights earning the win.
After the two teams battled to a scoreless halftime tie, an own goal off a Rock defender put the Knights on the board just over six minutes into the second half. A goal by Luke McMahon (Carter Houlihan assist) gave the Knights a 2-0 advantage and also proved to be the game winner. Sean Finneyfrock’s goal with 8:09 remaining made it a 2-1 game, but that’s as close as the Indians would get.
North Penn (17-4, 10-2 SOL) will face District 12 champion La Salle in the opening round of the PIAA 4A Tournament on Tuesday while Council Rock North (16-4-2, 10-2) will face District 11 champion Emmaus in opening round action.
North Penn 0-2 2
Council Rock North 0-1 1
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