Shipley – 1         (2OT)
Conestoga – 1

The Shipley School boys’ varsity soccer team continued last season’s 19-game streak without a loss to 20 games, with a 1-1 tie at Conestoga High School on Saturday night.

Senior goalie Matt Piltch had little to deal with in the first 45 minutes of the game, thanks to standout defense by Zachary Arch and strong support from senior Jeff Gordon, sophomores Derrick Smith, Evan Seltzer, and a very composed senior Tony Li.

At the half, it seemed as though the game would be Shipley’s once they found their rhythm. Six minutes after the beginning of the second half, Shipley senior Dan Mayernick pounced on an errant pass by a defender, pushed the ball forward, and slotted the ball past the on-rushing keeper.

But while Shipley looked like they were about to take off, the team started to move into a more defensive posture. Freshman brothers Mike and Geoff Stewart and senior Kon Kuznetsov continued to put pressure on Conestoga, but the Gators gave the Pioneers too much space and time in front of their area.

A goal seemed almost inevitable, with Conestoga coming close repeatedly and even hitting one of the uprights. The tying goal came six minutes from the end, when a kick was pumped into the area. An attempt to clear the ball was miscued, with the ball falling to a Conestoga player who made a great shot, giving Piltch no chance.

A new game was on. Shipley came alive again—and in extra time. Mayernick received one pass from senior Nikhil Gregg that he side-footed into the net, only to be whistled for offside.  Meanwhile, the two Stewarts combined for several nice plays, while Seltzer ran strong through the Pioneers’ midfield, and Smith pushed up from defense, making excellent throw-ins that caused goal-front difficulties for the Pioneer defense. Unfortunately, the Gators’ effort came up short. The game ended in a 1-1 tie after double overtime.

The Gators next take the field at Villanova University on Saturday, September 8 at 7:45 pm against Malvern Prep.

Girls’ Varsity Soccer
Friday 08/31/07

Shipley – 6
Harriton – 2

After a back-and-forth first half, the Shipley girls’ varsity soccer team was able to dominate the second half of the game to defeat Harriton High School and pick up their first win of the season, continuing their 11-game winning streak from 2006 to 12 games.

The Gators were led by seniors Dakota Carroll with four goals and Jess Rosenbluth with two goals and one assist. Sophomore Tara Stokes had three assists, and senior Leigh Ann Quill added one assist in the match.

Junior Laura DiClemente, as well as Stokes and Quill, controlled the midfield while sophomore Kendall Roberts, and seniors Rebecca Yuska and Jenny Kley all played sound defense in front of the net to help junior Maureen Gentry tally eight saves on eleven shots and record her first win as Shipley’s keeper.

The Gators next play on Saturday, September 9 at Villanova University as the Shipley girls take on Episcopal Academy at 6:15 pm.