The Pennsbury High School 2011 Boys Soccer season got underway yesterday as the Falcon’s were matched against the normally strong Strath Haven Panthers. Our boys seemed to start the game in a somewhat sluggish manner, but due to the youth of the team it could have been more nerves than ability. That seemed to be very much the case as the team found its groove and the ball started to find the back of the net and found it often. Scoring began on a set piece, a corner kick taken by Charlie Rushing that he put toward the back post onto the head of Jerry Lan. Jerry’s head ball was perfectly placed to the feet of Evan Caterson who did not hesitate as he put the ball between the posts for his first of three goals on the day. Shortly afterward the Falcon’s continued strong play as they pushed the ball up the right side of the pitch, inside the defensive third of the Panthers, when the visitors committed a foul inside the box. Pennsbury’s co-captain and strong center back Sawyer Waters was called on to take the PK, he allowed the drama to mount as he slowly gathered the stray ball and positioned it for the free kick. A powerful left foot defiantly ripped the back of the twine, putting Pennsbury up 2-0. The Falcon’s continued to press the visitors, and closed out the first half scoring on a play with some very nice passing. It all started with a cross by Sam Uprichard from the left side of the field finding a centrally positioned Caterson at the top of the box, he laid the ball back to an oncoming Dylan Smith. Pennsbury’s junior co-captain coolly placed a perfect shot into the right side of the goal. As the half ended the Panthers started to take the play to the Falcon’s.
The second half began much the same way the first half had ended, the visitors had the home team on it’s heals, strongly pressing the Falcons. Eventually the play of the Panthers paid off as they netted a goal and cut into the deficit. Pennsbury needed to answer back, they needed to take back the momentum and cool off the threatening attack of their opponent. The defense strengthened its play as goalkeeper and co-captain Pat Lestingi and Waters showed their senior leadership and outside backs Lan and Ben Immordino stood tall as they shut down the visiting team. And then the offense took up the charge as they closed out the game with 2 more goals. The first coming off a throw-in that bounded over a number of players inside the penalty box to the foot of Caterson, he put a strong shot on goal and the goalie made a strong attempt at a save as the ball glanced off his right hand and slowly rolled into the goal. Caterson then showcased his speed and strength, as the next score started in the Falcon’s defensive half when Waters pushed a pass out to the wing onto the foot of Brendan Cooper who found Caterson sprinting up the right side. Evan, using his body nicely to shield the ball from a defender breathing down his left shoulder, took a hard shot at goal, again deflecting off the goalie’s right hand and again the ball ending up between the posts.
A positive start to the new season for the entire team as they worked hard from front to back, as the Falcon’s soar past a very chippy and hard hitting Strath Haven Panthers team with a 5-1 victory.