Kennedy-Kenrick captures District 12 soccer title

Dispite the cold, dreary and damp weather it didn't take long for Kennedy-Kenrick to warm up in Thursday's District 12 Class A soccer championship game.

Catapulted by senior striker Mat Moloney's goal 44 seconds into the game, the Wolverines defeated Prep Charter, 2-0, to take the district title.

"It makes a big difference to come out and swing the momentum on our side right away," Moloney said. "Ever since that, the momentum was on our side the whole game."

Kennedy-Kenrick controlled the attack while capitalizing on Prep Charter misques throughout all 80 minutes. Moloney's goal foreshadowed the Wolverine's domination.

"The kid was marking me and lost his marking," he said. "It was perfect. I just saw the opening and put it right into the back of the net."

While Kennedy-Kenrick didn't dominate the scoreboard, it kept the Huskies defense busy. Prep Charter goaltender Peter DelVecchio finished the game with eight saves, but the two he allowed proved costly.

Wolverines coach Michael McKenna said his team's offensive performance was a result of careful preparation.

"We had a pretty good scouting report on their defense," he said. "So, we tried to work the outside, control the defense out, and then work it inside. It all worked for us."

Kennedy-Kenrick's second goal came in the second half started by a shot by senior Nick Poehland from the corner. Poehland's shot was deflected into the goal by fellow senior Dan Price to give the Wolverines a 2-0 advantage with 32 minutes left to play.

Kennedy-Kenrick controlled the ball on the defensive end as well, dispite repeated efforts from Prep Charter midfielders Solomon Zoegar and George Eastwood to formulate an attack.

Led by Alex Frederick, J.D. Maguire and Mike Gratzinger, the Wolverines kept the pressure off goalie Nick Gremminger for most of the game.

Gremminger ended the day perfect, with five saves.

"Our defense is very strong," McKenna said. "We've always been strong. My assistants and everyone seems to think we go defense first and we are a defense-minded team. I always think you've got to stop the ball before you put it in the net. That's the way we work."

With the win, Kennedy-Kenrick advances to the PIAA soccer championships beginning Tuesday, but they will enjoy the victory for now.

"We worked when we had to work," McKenna said. "We've got to come out strong and get whoever wins the next round."

McKenna and his squad can only hope for another cold, damp day. He said the Wolverines thrive in those conditions.

"We've played in worse," he said. "This was actually good weather. We practice in the rain, too."

Prep Charter   0 0 - 0

Kennedy-Kenrick   1 1 - 2

Goals: KK - Mat Moloney, Dan Price.

Saves. PC - Peter DelVecchio 8, KK - Nick Gremminger 5.