VOLUME XVIII NO. 5 NOVEMBER 3, 2000
GEORGE SCHOOL THREEPEATS IN EXCITING CHAMPIONSHIP
On Tuesday, October 31st, by the same 1-0 score as last year, George School again found a way to turn back Abington and run their current string of championships to three. This year’s winning goal came on a direct kick by junior Mattheus Engle in the 67th minute after a hand ball had been whistled about 25 yards out in the center of he field. Engle’s kick deflected just enough off the wall to allow Abington keeper Tom Arnold to only get his fingertips on it. The Cougars opened defense of their title with a strong shot in the first minute of play, but for the remainder of the half all the serious chances belonged to the visitors. Senior keeper Seth Shipon was equal to all the chances which were on goal. Although George evened the play out more in the second half and had a number of solid opportunities in addition to their goal, the ‘roos also had chances both before and after the goal. Shipon made 6 saves for the shutout, while Arnold turned away 4 shots. Senior Seth Taft played an excellent game for Abington at midfield, while Josh Sylvester was solid on defense for the winners.
Parity among the semifinalists led to two very close and exciting games on Saturday, October 28th. Top seed Friends’ Central lost to #4 Abington 1-0, while #2 George School had to go to penalty kicks to defeat ANC. After a 1-1 tie through regulation and 30 minutes of overtime, George won the penalty kick competition 3-1. Winds gusting to 30 mph were a factor in both games. Abington, playing with the wind in the first half had a significant advantage in time of possession, but each team had only one really dangerous chance through the first 35 minutes. In the 38th minute Abington was awarded a direct kick from about 30 yards out on the right side. Senior Phil Block put a solid service into the middle where a Friends’ Central defender attempting a clearance, inadvertently headed the ball into his own goal. With the wind in the second half, the Phoenix wasted no time making a breakaway in the first 15 seconds requiring a fine save by Arnold. Two more good chances for the hosts in the next 8 minutes yielded no goals before the ’roos began to control play a little more. Central’s last chance came in the 37th minute on a breakaway which was shot wide. Arnold made 6 saves for the shutout. Taft controlled the middle of the field superbly for Abington and was also a threat on every throw he took. At George School, ANC took a sort-lived lead in the 69th minute on a goal by junior Brandon Asplundh with an assist from senior Mark Geanuleas. The Cougars countered two minutes later with a score from sophomore Bill Ross fed by senior Masayuki Nishimoto. The 1-1 score held through overtime, forcing the penalty kick competition. Shipon saved the first kick he faced to set the tone for the hosts who connected on three of their four kicks while ANC netted the ball only once, resulting in the 3-1 final tally . Shipon had two saves in the game, while Lion keeper Jared Alden was credited with 6.
RESULTS 10/24 -10/31
TU 24-Oct AFS vs. Solebury 5-0
TU 24-Oct GFS vs. International Christian 5-3
TU 24-Oct WTN vs. Sanford 1-4
WE 25-Oct FSS vs. Mercy Vo-Tech 3-4
WE 25-Oct GEO vs. VFMA 4-0
TH 26-Oct AFS vs. Mercy Vo-Tech 9-0
TH 26-Oct FSS vs. Solebury 0-1
TH 26-Oct WTN vs. Tatnall 1-5
SA 28-Oct FCS vs. AFS (FSL Semifinals) 0-1
SA 28-Oct GEO vs. ANC (FSL Semifinals) 1-1 3-1 PK’s
TU 31-Oct GEO vs. AFS (FSL Championship) 1-0
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George School |
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Abington Friends |
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Friends' Central |
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Academy of the New Church |
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Moorestown Friends |
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Westtown School |
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Germantown Friends |
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Friends Select |
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