Central Bucks East soccer enjoys strong leaders
All the great teams have them. Extensions of the coaching staff, they are always available to offer support. Yet, they will voice their displeasure at teammates when need be.
All the great teams have them.
Extensions of the coaching staff, they are always available to offer support. Yet, they will voice their displeasure at teammates when need be.
They are the backbones of their teams.
Seniors Sean Peckham and Mike Whitaker fit that label for the Central Bucks East boys' soccer team.
"Individually, you are talking about Michael Whitaker being" fast and strong, coach Mike Gorni said of the standout central defender. "He also does all the thankless jobs."
While Whitaker is doing that, Peckham orchestrates things from his central midfield position.
"Sean will be missed [next year], because he makes every single player on our team better," Gorni said. "He doesn't make a fuss. He's just real quiet and effective."
The two are a major reason why the Patriots are ranked third in Southeastern Pennsylvania by The Inquirer. And their selfless and valuable play have a lot to do with their team advancing to the PIAA Class AAA state tournament for the second consecutive season.
Peckham, a Lafayette recruit, took 11 goals and 15 assists into yesterday's District 1 Class AAA semifinal against Downingtown West. Whitaker, a Pittsburgh commit, had three goals despite playing from the back line.
Whippets drop out
The Inquirer's top-ranked team, Lower Merion, is the only area team listed in the latest National Soccer Coaches Association of America/Adidas national rankings.
The Aces dropped four spots to No. 12 nationally in the poll that was released Tuesday. The area's second-ranked team, Downingtown West, dropped out of the national rankings completely despite two impressive victories. The Whippets were ranked 10th in the previous NSCAA/Adidas poll.
Lower Merion (second) and Downingtown West (fourth) are also among the organization's top squads in the Region III (Pennsylvania and New Jersey) rankings.
Central Bucks East (eighth), North Catholic (13th) and Father Judge (15th) are the area's other teams that are ranked regionally.
Historic moment
Masterman faces Kennedy-Kenrick in today's 4 p.m. District 12 Class A championship game at Northeast. This game will mark the first Philadelphia city boys' soccer championship since 1979.
The Blue Dragons, the classification's Philadelphia Public League champions, have a 4-8-1 record. The Wolverines, the Philadelphia Catholic League representatives, are 9-7-1.
The winner will advance to next week's PIAA Class A state tournament. That team will face the District 1 champion, which has not been determined, on Tuesday.
One to keep an eye on
The Haverford School travels to Germantown Academy tomorrow at 3:45 p.m. for a much-anticipated Inter-Ac League showdown.
The Fords are 9-1-2 overall and 5-0-2 in league play. They will face a Patriots squad that is 13-3-2 and 6-1.
Haverford School defeated Germantown Academy, 4-1, in their Oct. 7 meeting.
The Inquirer TOP 10
BOYS' SOCCER
Team Record
Records through Tuesday.
Last week's rankings are in parentheses.
1. Lower Merion (1) 16-1-1
As of Tuesday, the Aces were two victories away from winning their second consecutive District 1 Class AAA title.
2. Downingtown West (2) 20-1
The Whippets - not Lower Merion - could be the area's most dangerous team in the Class AAA state tourney.
3. Central Bucks East (3) 17-2-1
The talented Patriots aren't far behind Lower Merion and Downingtown West in terms of competitiveness.
4. Holy Ghost Prep (4) 15-2-1
The Firebirds had a 14-day layoff before yesterday's District 1 Class AA semifinal match against Springfield (Delco).
5. North Catholic (6) 14-1-3
The Falcons are making their alumni proud, even the guys who doubted North weeks ago.
6. Neshaminy (NR) 12-5-2
The Redskins will likely be very tough in the Class AAA state tournament.
7. Father Judge (5) 15-3-1
The Crusaders had their state-champion dreams shattered in the semis of the Philadelphia Catholic League tourney.
8. Strath Haven (8) 15-3-2
After a one-year hiatus, the Panthers are once again recognized as one of the area's premier programs.
9. Pennsbury (7) 14-5-1
If only they didn't have to play Neshaminy. The Redskins beat the Falcons three times. The last time came in the District 1 Class AAA quarterfinals.
10. Archbishop Wood (10) 18-1-1
The Vikings shouldn't have any problems against Franklin Towne Charter in tomorrow's District 12 Class AA final.
Under consideration (listed alphabetically):
Council Rock North (13-6-2), Germantown Academy (13-3-2), Haverford School (9-1-2), La Salle (11-7), West Chester Henderson (13-5).
- Keith Pompey