PA bested SPA in their Thursday afternoon contest by a score of 3-1. PA went into the contest with only two subs due to a plethora of injuries. PA looked to play more of a defensive game and counterattack opportunistically. Opportunity arose at the 3rd minute mark when Jack Merwin played a pass across the box and Will Hub (2) blasted it in for his second goal in as many games. The rest of the first half SPA probed the ball around the field to try and break down PA’s stout defense but could not find any cracks.
In the second half, SPA came out with more pressure and forced PA to concede some corner kicks. Eventually, with this sustained pressure SPA found the back of the net in the 65th minute. However, PA quickly regained composure and managed to earn a free kick in SPA’s end. Noah Boro blasted a beautiful cross across the net that found the head of Owen Schlickbernd (1) for a go-ahead goal in the 69th minute. Xavier Reetz (7) added an insurance goal in the 79th minute to send the Lions to victory over the defending state champions.
Despite the absence of key players due to injury, including three captains, PA defeated Holy Family 2-1 on a steamy Super Soccer Saturday afternoon. PA again opted to play behind the ball and look for counter-attack opportunities. However, the Lions skillful midfield managed to find moments where they effectively moved the ball on the ground to create goal scoring chances. The Lions broke through in the 22nd minute with a goal from Xavier Reetz (8). The Lions held steady the remainder of the first half, neutralizing Holy Family’s long ball attack by continually winning headers in the air.
Into the second half, the Lions continued to control the midfield as Holy Family opted to drop back and not pressure the ball. This allowed the Lions ample time to dribble at defenders, creating chances and putting pressure on the Holy Family defense. After Holy Family’s defender turned the ball over, the ball found Xavier Reetz’s foot, and he quickly dropped it back to Landon Niesen (1) who touched it past a defender into space and blasted a thirty-yard shot into the left corner of the net (49th minute). Although PA conceded a penalty kick goal in the 77th minute, their defense held strong, and they earned the victory. The Lions now ride a four-game win streak as they take on the Break Mustangs at home this Tuesday, September 16th.