Pa. boys’ soccer notes

Wissahickon spent the early parts of this boys' soccer season trying to reverse one trend and maintain another.

Despite a perfect 14-0 record in the Suburban One League American Conference in 2009, Wissahickon's season was ultimately defined by the games it did not win.

The Trojans were plagued by an 0-3-1 record out of conference, which culminated in a 2-1 loss to Neshaminy in the PIAA District 1 Class AAAA playoffs.

It didn't take long for the Trojans to reverse that out-of-conference trend this season.

After staking dominance in the SOL with wins over Central Bucks East and West, Wissahickon proceeded to take a tough 1-0 win over Souderton on Friday and a 4-3 victory over Pennridge on Monday night.

With six returning starters, Wissahickon could be a force to be reckoned with this season.

Upsetting Unionville. Upsets are bound to happen in any season. Friday night, Unionville suffered a big one.

The Inquirer's preseason No. 1 team was beaten, 2-1, by Upper Darby. Matt Peters scored both goals for the Royals.

The Indians will have to regroup quickly with another tough match at home against Downingtown West on Thursday afternoon.

Showing no rust. West Chester Rustin lost only three starters to graduation from a 2009 team that finished 14-6 in a tough Ches-Mont League American Division.

So far this season, that experience is paying off in a big way. The Golden Knights did not allow a goal in its first three games this season.

They tied La Salle - one of the top programs in the state - 0-0 on Sept. 3, and went on to beat Avon Grove and Pennridge by a combined 3-0.

Goalkeeper Grant Vasi is leading Rustin's defensive efforts this season.

Playing like a champion. Father Judge might have lost a strong crop of players from last year's PIAA Class AAA cochampionship team, but the Crusaders have had little trouble picking up where they left off in 2009.

Judge kicked off the season with wins over Springfield (Montco), Penn Charter, and Archbishop Wood.

The Crusaders will have to keep that pace up with matches against Roman Catholic and La Salle looming in the next week.

East is up. Downingtown East had no trouble overcoming a 2-0 loss to Malvern Prep on Sept. 1. The Cougars followed that game with a 1-0 upset of defending PIAA Class AA champion and Ches-Mont league rival Octorara.

The Cougars went on to beat Radnor, 2-1, and Pottsgrove, 2-0.

East will continue league play Wednesday night with a showdown against West Chester Henderson.

Getting centered. One of the heavy hitters in the Central League is off to a rocky start.

Conestoga suffered a big 2-1 upset at the hands of Penncrest on Monday night.

Strath Haven, which now looks like the favorite in the Central, tied defending PIAA champion Father Judge before falling just short against another one of the area's elite programs in a 1-0 loss to Pennsbury on Sept. 3.