By Alex Frazier
Meet…Eddie Adams
Eddie Adams is one of three Pennsbury seniors who have fallen one game shy of qualifying for states for three consecutive years.
You can bet that Adams, Brian Powers and Drew Hutchins will be doing everything in their power to ensure that doesn’t happen again in their final high school season.
But they’re not thinking about that just yet. There’s still a lot of season left.
“Before the season even started, coach Stoddart said, ‘I don’t want you thinking about states or talking about states,’” said Adams. “He wants us to go game by game. It’s been working out well. We get pumped up for each game individually.”
In the competitive National Conference, one slipup can spell disaster.
“Every game in our league is going to be a battle,” said Adams. “It’s not going to be easy.”
The Falcons already had one in their first meeting with Council Rock North.
They came into the season ranked No. 1 in Pennsylvania and #8 nationally, but lost to the Indians, 2-0.
“It kind of got to all our heads that we couldn’t lose,” said Adams. “We played Council Rock North and underestimated them. They played real well. It was also good because it was a wakeup call. Since then we’ve been going strong.”
As of this week they are No. 4 in SE Pennsylvania, No. 4 in Pennsylvania and No. 7 in Region Three.
Adams has been a big part of the Falcons’ success over the past three years. To date he has scored six goals in eight games, including game winners against William Tennent and Holy Ghost.
Coach Tom Stoddart said the 1-0 victory over the Panthers was probably the biggest goal of the year both for Adams and the team.
“It was late in the contest and once you get into overtime, you never know what happens,” said Stoddart.
Kyle McDonald made a great play on the outside, getting a shot off that the Tennent keeper just managed to save but couldn’t hold onto. Adams was there to finish it.
“A lot of other kids wouldn’t have been in the position he was,” said Stoddart. “They would have been watching the play, waiting for Kyle to score, not continuing with the play themselves.”
Adams started playing soccer when he was seven and has been playing at the elite club level for the Yardley-Morrisville Explosion, which made the state finals four years and took home the cup twice. For the first time this year, YMS won regionals and went to Nationals for the second time, improving on its 0-2-1 record of a year ago by going 1-1-1.
“He’s a pretty polished player,” said Stoddart.
Adams is also a two-year captain of the team.
“He’s been a huge help for me taking over the program,” said first-year coach Stoddart. “All his peers like him. The other kids like him. He’ll do anything you ask him to do get the job done.”
Adams plays striker primarily but has moved back on occasion to center midfield when injuries occur.
“He’s definitely a forward, born and bred,” said Stoddard.
As a captain, Adams leads more by example.
“He’s not the kind of kid that’s going to get in front of the whole team and yell at them and rally the whole team,” said Stoddart. “He will work more individual to individual.”
Adams definitely plans to play college soccer. His No. 1 choice at the moment is Marshall, but he’s also considering Towson, Duquesne and Rhode Island.
He became interested in Marshal after receiving an e-mail from the assistant coach, following his play at the Disney Showcase last summer.
Though the assistant has since left Marshall, Adams visited the school and liked what he saw.
“I met the kids and they’re all the nicest. They’re cool,” he said. “It’s a really nice school. They don’t have a professional team there, so Marshall athletics is their main thing. It’s a big deal, every sport.”
He’s planning on majoring in sports management.
“I want to try to coach college soccer,” he said.
And before that, make the elusive state tournament.
“I’m just trying to make the most of my senior year,” he said. “I’m really hoping we can win a state championship. We expect nothing less.”
Bears bellow – After three off years, Upper Moreland is making some noise in the American Conference this year.
When coach Jack Knauss started at Upper Moreland nine years ago, the Bears represented a win for most teams.
Not so anymore.
After a couple of down years, Upper Moreland is beginning to grow again.
“I was very surprised,” said Knauss, “but I could see it happening last year a little bit. This year it’s been a 100 percent team effort and looking after my brother. Upper Moreland is not a pushover anymore.”
As Knauss said, “It’s all about the horses you have.”
Junior Manvekah Daramay is a stallion. A native of Guinea, Daramay came to the United States in sixth grade. His family returned to the homeland, but he remained here for which Knauss is grateful
“He’s a great leader, president of his class, straight A’s,” said Knauss. “It’s amazing how the good Lord gives one guy everything.”
Daramy has been a first team all-league selection for the past two years. As a freshman, he scored 15 goals. Better known last year, his production fell to 11.
This year he garners even more attention.
“This year they’re all double teaming him and he’s getting beat up every game,” said Knauss.
But, as teams focus on Daramay, it leaves newcomer Tommy Hayes open. The sophomore has notched eight goals so far this year.
“He has some great skills and some great speed,” said Knauss, who is particularly pleased with the way this year’s team is coming together, especially Daramy and his junior classmates.
“The 11th graders are all good friends and they all complement each other,” he said.
In the midfield, junior Tim DeCarolis works well with Daramay.
“He’s doing a wonderful job for us,” said Knauss.
Another junior, Jon Baez has contributed in the playmaking up top.
“He has great vision and he has no problem giving the ball up,” said Knauss. “He makes sure the right job gets done.”
While Upper Moreland is strong on attack, it also has a solid defense, spearheaded by a pair of goalies—Tim Uveges and Kyle Walder. Uveges plays the first half; Walder, the second.
“They’re both outstanding; they both love each other,” said Knauss. “I started it in summer camp. I said, ‘Guys, you’re both tremendous. Let’s see how the first few weeks go,’ I could not make a decision.”
It’s a combination that has been working and one Knauss doesn’t want to mess with.
“If I start losing five or six in a row, I’ll change,” he said. “As long as we’re playing pretty well, I’m going to stay the way it is. I’m very superstitious like that.”
Playing in front of the keepers is sophomore sweeper Kyle Lynch.
“He’s doing an outstanding job,” said Knauss. “He’s a likeable kind of kid and people rally around him.”
To bolster the defense, Knauss moved senior striker Nate Kistner back to left fullback.
“He’s got great speed and great skill,” said Knauss. “After losing a good fullback last year, I couldn’t risk keeping him up. I had to bring him back, and he’s made a hell of a difference back there.”
As of Sept. 28, Upper Moreland was 4-1 in the American Conference, tied with Cheltenham. The Bears still have two contests remaining against undefeated Wissahickon.
“I’m very happy with that,” said Knauss. “It’s just been hard work and the guys are stepping up.”
At the start of the season, Knauss set a team goal of going .500 for the season. After early scrimmages, he modified that to aim for a 10-win season and a spot in the district playoffs.
“Our ultimate goal is to get to the playoffs, where we can play with anybody,” he said. “I can’t guarantee a win, but I know we can hang with anybody this year.”
With only three seniors on the team, it looks like Upper Moreland will be out for bear next year too.
Around the league (through Sept. 28)– And then there were two.
Heading into last Friday there were still four undefeated SOL teams.
After Friday only two remained. Wissahickon made its case clear for conference supremacy as the Trojans blanked undefeated Cheltenham, 3-0, to keep their league record unblemished.
Council Rock South took its undefeated streak into Pennsbury and couldn’t find the net as the Falcons soared, 3-0.
Council Rock North and Wissahickon are now the only two undefeated teams in the SOL.
After going unscored upon in its first four league games, Central Bucks East went scoreless in its next two, losing to Hatboro-Horsham and Souderton by 1-0 scores.
Christian Benner converted a pass from Scott Jablonski in the 16th minute and the Big Red held on for the win.
For Souderton, it was a huge victory after getting routed by C.B. South.
“We needed to respond and we did against East,” said Big Red coach Tom Quintois. “From many standpoints this was a very important result. I am proud of our boys and the character they showed.”
North Penn is keeping pace in the Continental. The Knights thumped Quakertown 5-0 to become one of three teams (Pennridge and Souderton) with just a single league loss. North Penn and Souderton each have a tie.
In the American Conference, Upper Moreland cruised past defending champ Upper Dublin 3-2 on goals from Jonathan Baez, Tyler Forest and Tommy Hayes. Matt Sabin notched the only goal of the game to lead Plymouth Whitemarsh past Norristown. Upper Merion’s David McEwen tallied a hat trick in Upper Merion’s 3-0 shutout of Springfield.
Top Five SOL
1. Council Rock North
2. Pennsbury
3. William Tennent
4. Council Rock South
5. Pennridge
Southeastern Pennsylvania Soccer Coaches Poll
(Sept. 29)
1. Council Rock North 8-0-0
2. Lower Merion 8-1-0
3. North Catholic 6-1-1
4. Pennsbury 6-1-1
5. Father Judge 7-0-1
6. La Salle 6-1-1
7. Conestoga 7-1-0
8. Unionville 7-1-0
9. Downingtown East 8-0-0
10. North Penn 6-2-1
11. Strath Haven 6-1-2
12. Upper Darby 6-1-1
13. Christopher Dock 6-1-1
14. Pennridge 5-3-0
15. Germantown Academy 4-4-0
16. Archbishop Ryan 6-2-1
17. Archbishop Wood 7-1-0
18. Octorara 8-2-0
19. Haverford School 3-1-1
20. Central Bucks East 4-3-0.
Others receiving votes: Downingtown West, Council Rock South, Souderton, Saint Joseph’s Prep, West Chester Rustin, Bartram, Abington, Great Valley, Lansdale Catholic, Shipley.
PSCA / ANGELO'S SOCCER CORNER POLL
(Week of Sept. 28)
1. Council Rock North (1) previous rank 1
2. Mt. Lebanon (7) 2
3. Parkland (11) 3
4. Pennsbury (1) 4
5. Lower Merion (1) HM
6. Manheim Township (3) 7
7. Conestoga (1) 6
8. Unionville (1) 9
9. Upper St. Clair (7) HM
10. North Catholic (12) 10
Honorable Mention: Chambersburg (3), Conestoga Valley (3), Cumberland Valley (3), Delaware Valley (2), Father Judge (12), Fox Chapel (7), Hershey (3), Peters Township (7).
NSCAA National Region III Rankings
Sept. 29
1. St. Benedict's Prep (Newark, N.J.) 5 - 0 - 0
2. Council Rock North (Newtown, Pa.) 8 - 0 - 0
3. The Pingry School (Martinsville, N.J.) 7 - 0 - 0
4. Mount Lebanon (Pittsburgh, Pa.) 9 - 0 - 1
5. Parkland (Allentown, Pa.) 10 - 0 - 0
6. Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.) 4 - 0 - 0
7. Pennsbury (Fairless Hills, Pa.) 7 - 1 - 0
8. Rancocas Valley (Mt. Holly, N.J.) 6 - 1 - 0
9. Lower Merion (Ardmore, Pa.) 8 - 1 - 0
10. Ramapo (Franklin Lakes, N.J.) 4 - 1 - 0
11. Manheim Township (Lancaster, Pa.) 7 - 1 - 0
12. Conestoga (Berwyn, Pa.) 7 - 1 - 1
13. Millburn (N.J.) 4 - 0 - 0
14. Unionville (Kennett Square, Pa.) 7 - 1 - 0
15. Scotch Plains (N.J.) 6 - 1 - 0
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