The PIAA allows preseason to start on August 12. Teams got a couple of scrimmages in before the first official game date of Aug. 30.

Friendly results

Teams play a few games outside of league. Often these games feature disparate levels, as teams look to either gain confidence in front of goal, or to practice defense. It’s also hard to put much stock in the results, as coaches use these games to try out different positions, formations, and players. With those provisos in mind, Washington beat up on MaST Charter, 7-0. Central gained a lucky one goal lead against La Salle before conceding four in the second half. FTC lined up against Roman Catholic, and lost 0-5. Judge beat Holy Ghost Prep 3-2, and Penn Charter 4-1.  Prep Charter beat Girard College 5-2. Other results can be found here.

Catholic League

In first round play, St. Joe’s eked out a 1-0 win against O’Hara, while La Salle handed Bishop McDevitt a 8-0 drubbing. Archbishop Ryan found a late goal to tie the game 1-1 with Conwell-Egan. Father Judge beat Carroll 3-0.

Roman Catholic and Lansdale Catholic have an ongoing rivalry. Four years ago Roman beat Lansdale on PKs in the playoffs. The following year, Roman hammered a 5-2 win through. Lansdale, for the next two years, won 1-0. When the two teams met on Sept. 6, Lansdale started on the front foot, but Roman grew into the game, until, at half, the game was fifty fifty.

The match went scoreless into double overtime (PIAA rules dictate two ten minute sudden death overtimes in tied games, even in regular season play. If a goal is not scored, the game is a draw). Coach Wilson told his team during the break that Roman was pushing a lot of guys up and into the middle on corners. He told them to get the ball wide and then down field, where Lansdale’s forward, Michael Lewis, had the speed to beat Roman’s last man.

Coach Wilson then got to watch as his players put it together exactly the way he told them. Danny Kelly, right back of Lansdale Catholic played the ball up the right side. It was received by RM Jake Saba, whose heels were on the sideline. He hit a ball that went down field before curving into the middle putting Michael Lewis through. Lewis controlled with his left, and scored to the right side of the net in the upper ninety for the winner. It was a well fought game with saves from both goalkeepers. Jack Kane of Lansdale had 7 saves; Mark Tobin of Roman had 11.

Public League A Division and B Division

A and B Divisions begin play this week.

Public League C Division

Benjamin Franklin announced themselves with a 5-1 win over New Foundation Charter. Ismaila Saka had three goals and an assist. Kensington welcomed KIPP to the Public League with a 5-0 win. The rest of the division will start play on Sept. 13.

The first Shane Kelly Memorial

You love soccer, and want to support the family of a great player? Come out and watch the games at the Shane Kelly Memorial. The event will start at 9:30am on Sept. 14, 2013. The first two games are likely to feature plenty of goals, as Central faces off with Frankford at 10 am and Father Judge faces Archbishop McDevitt at 12pm. At 2 pm two Public League powerhouses, Washington and Franklin Towne Charter (FTC) will play a match that may decide first place. Lastly, Lasalle College HS will play Holy Ghost Prep at 4 pm. These are two great teams. It’s five dollars for a whole day of soccer. All proceeds go to create a public league scholarship and support Shane Kelly’s family.