Haverford Soccer Club…here's what's happening

Pictured (Standing): Coach Bill Neef, Shea Conway, Tiffany Zukosky, Hannah Dodds, Hayden Ivey, Kristin Burnetta, Carly Glassford,Hannah Keating, Kailey Neef, Coach Stefan Szygiel
Pictured Kneeling: Kristen Brady, Kasey Sheahan, Katie Martin, Holly Bowser, Brenna Richards, Chloe Smith, Emily Fryer

The Heat tied Montgomery SC Coyotes 1-1 on Saturday morning. The Heat defeated the West Chester Predators 3-1 on Saturday afternoon. The Heat won over the Victory Express 1-0 onSunday morning which resulted in the Heat playing the Montgomery Black Magic Team in the Final Game Sunday afternoon. The Heat won the Championship game 1-0.

The U13 Haverford Hurricane went undefeated over Columbus Day weekend at the Western Lehigh Fall Fest Tournament to win the Championship backet with a record of 3-0-1.

The U9 Blast played three games at the Delco Tounament over Columbus Day weekend, finishing with a record of 1-1-1.

After a couple tough losses on Saturday, the U11 Firebirds rallied for two wins in Sunday’s games at the Western Lehigh Fall Fest Tournament. The team stayed the night at the Hampton Inn in Allentown along with other teams from HSC. Everyone enjoyed the beautiful weather and the opportunity to spend time with other players and their families.

It started with a sideline conversation between the coaches of the Blackhawks, a Haverford Soccer Club U11 boys intramural team. Like many of us, Benn Gerhart and Walt Zborowski are all too familiar with cancer, having witnessed loved ones and others fight the deadly disease. Both Benn and Walt are community-minded. Benn is a volunteer firefighter for Brookline Fire Company in Havertown. Walt recently biked 50 miles for the LIVESTRONG Challenge Philly and has also participated in the MS City to Shore Ride.

 In recognition that October is Breast Cancer Awareness month, the coaches wanted to give their team a chance to promote awareness of this important cause. The boys jumped right on it, volunteering to wear one pink sock and one black sock during their October 9 game rather than their usual all black uniforms. The coaches wore pink breast cancer awareness shirts designed by a local elementary school student. Many of the parents showed their support by wearing pink to the game. The coaches also pledged to make a donation for every goal the Blackhawks (aka the “Pinkhawks”) scored that day. The “Score for a Cure” challenge was on!

 The Blackhawks certainly rose to the occasion by winning the game 5-0. In support of the team’s efforts to raise breast cancer awareness, parents also contributed to a kitty which totaled $250 by the end of the game. The money raised by the Blackhawks was donated to Team Busted Lion, a local group participating in the Susan G. Komen 3-day Walk for the Cure.

 Next year, the Blackhawks hope to expand this great fundraising idea to all the teams in Haverford Soccer Club.

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Front Row: Casey Sheahan, Katie Martin, Holly Bowser, Marlee Zales, Chloe Smith Middle Row: Brenna Richards, Jillian Freeman, Hannah Dodds, Jesseca Freeman, Kristin Brady Back Row: Shea Conway, Kailey Neef, Hannah Keating, Hayden Ivey, Kristin Burnetta, Tiffany Zuckowski

The Haverford Heat U14 Girls traveled to the Washington area over Columbus Day weekend to compete in the prestigious WAGS Tournament.  The Heat tied a team from Virginia (VSA) 1-1 on Saturday morning and rebounded later that day to beat a strong team from Woodbridge Canada 2-1.  On Sunday morning, the Heat beat a team from West Virginia (WVUSC) 2-1 which confirmed their birth in the Semi-Finals later that afternoon.  The Heat girls would face a solid team from NJ in the Semi-Final game.  The NJ Crush felt the Heat that afternoon and were handed a 4-2 loss.  This win allowed the Heat to advance to the Final match against a team from Texas the next morning.  The clash of the two teams on Columbus Day would end in a decisive 2-0 win for the Haverford Heat U14 Girls.  The Haverford Heat Coach Stefan Szygiel was impressed with the contribution from all of his players. He and Assistant Coach Bill Neef were happy to put Champion Medals on the necks of all the Heat players. The Heat parents were very supportive in the winning efforts.

With both teams playing a 2/3/2 and Nolan Hartke in as keeper, the Venom seemed to have the majority of the first half on their side of the field.  There was a breakaway from the Union, but shot cleared away with a big boot by Eamon McKeown past mid-field!  Venom had surge with good passing down to Allen Cieslak, with a shot on goal just wide left.  Benji Morse displayed some great footwork and moved the ball down to McKeown for a shot on goal, kicked over the goalie and cross bar, Eric Hibbs chased for a follow up, shot, miss wide right another great showing of passing, skills and shots on goal.  The Venom cleared agaon from a threat form the Union, Aidan Gebey had a pass to Morse who attempted shot, missed wide left.  The Second run from the Union, moved the ball into shooting range, around the defenders, shot on goal, but Hartke saved and denied the goal!  Venom moved the ball only a short portion of the field and then kicked near goal, where Conrad Brady was headed and cleared out with a great defensive play.  Venom moves the ball down field only to turnover to a faster Union where the attempted another shot on Hartke but rejected again!

The 1^st half ended with null-null result, but some great defensive efforts, passing and shots on Union.

Venom began the half with McKeown in goal to rely on his boot.  Venom immediately started out fast with a breakaway down in Union territory with Morse shot on goal, moved the ball up field.  Corner kick by Union, cleared by Morse, save by McKeown.  McKeown kick down field to Nick D’Achille, shot attempt, moved wide right on the striker.  Unlucky trip call foul on Duncan Riegler, kick from Union shifted and Morse moved in a second breakaway up field and stopped short due to hand ball, Gebey to kick and then Yellow Card issued to Union for positioning opponent to close to the ball.  Riegler moves to Left side, pass to Gebey for boot to sideline finding Hibbs who passed to an open Morse and closed into the back of net – GOAL Venom.  The team’s great effort to move the ball around defenders paid off to take them up 1-0.

At mid field, Conor McCabe illustrated some good ball dribbling and moved it coast to coast alluding defenders, shot on goal by McCabe but saved by Union keeper.  On Union’s last possession, we so surge heading down side but Cielslak beat them to the goal and cleared the kick for a great defensive move.  Venom cleared out and head a breakaway controlled by Brady down left center until time expired.

 Great skills and an assist for Hibbs and winning score by Morse took the Venom to their first Victory 1-0-0.  Next game will be played on home field Coopertown, 11:20 v. Coventry Celtic on Saturday 10/17.

Gavin Flanagan

Will Gardner

Owen DeLuca

The U11 Striker team continued their season this weekend with games on both Saturday and Sunday.  Gary Smolen and Bill Gardner coached the team to victories on both days with a 10-0 win against the Interboro soccer club on Saturday and a 3-2 win over King of Prussia.  The defense made a strong showing on both days with John Higson and Will Gardner as goal keepers.   The offense was calm under pressure putting together well-developed runs resulting in goals from Will Gardner, John Higson, Timothy Cincotta, Owen Deluca, Gavin Flanagan, Michael Koenig, and Thomas Royds-Helverson.  The defense was solid through numerous attacks contributing to the back to back wins. 

John Higson

TJ Royds-Helverson