| ACES BEST HARRITON |
Oct 12th - Arnold Field
In what is becoming one of the most watched games in the township, the Lower Merion vs. Harriton rivalry
continues to grow. At one time, it was just another game, but now with certain underlining issues in the
township, and now that Harriton is in the Central League, the stake are much higher. In this game, they
would be battling their club teammates, middle school friends, and even neighbors and brothers.
Yesterday proved to be another intense game for the Aces. Having a large fan base, the Aces took the
fans energy and used it to their advantage. The chances would come for the Aces by way of their free
kicks and long throw-ins won by never letting a ball easily get by them.
The LM defense, the "stonewall", would have to stand firm again against the quick players from Harriton.
Nate Diehl, Colin Eisenstaedt, Tyler Niles and David Rosenfeld came up big stopping many quick counter
attacks that Harriton had launched at them. Winning balls in the air almost seems second nature to the
back 4, who seldom let a shot on goal. Teams have tried to outwit the defense and send long balls into the
box, but a superbly preforming Emmett McConnell in goal, has not let a cross in his box with out a strong
challenge, many times winning the ball while being hit by oncoming attackers.
It would be in late in the 1ts half of play when the Aces would get on the board first. A shot taken by
Matthew Lindeheim set up a David Rosenfeld corner kick. Rosenfeld took the corner and sent a strong
head high ball to the near post where junior Ben Hriscu redirected it past the stunned Harriton defense.
The Aces fans went wild as the team celebrated, and the fans from Harriton were silenced.
The half ended with the 1-0 score. In the second half, the Aces would have to keep pressure as they knew
the Rams would bring much of their own. Senior Michael Lemonick did all he could to neutralize the
strongest Harriton player and once a fellow club teammate, and the two had an ongoing battle the entire
game. Matias Fernandez-Duque winning the ball in the midfield created some quick chances for the wing
mid fielders Roberto Bonilla, Matthew Lindheim and Kenny Lassiter, who created some good opportunities
for the Aces. Forwards, Sasha Safavi, Ben Hriscu and super-sub Shane Votto would have a few cracks at
goal, but their shots were sent whistling by the posts just wide of the net, or at the Rams keeper.
The second half saw the much anticipated return of senior Garrett Baker, who in the off season tore his
ACL and had to have reconstructive surgery. Garrett and many of the players have been waiting for him to
step on the field and take his place amongst the 11 on the field again. As it were, Baker was seemed to
step into things nicely, he challenged head balls, made smart runs, sent good passes into the wings,
almost as if he had never left.
Both the LM and Harriton fans helped make this a great and fun game for both teams throughout the 80
minutes of play. Both groups of fans were respectful, in their cheers, words and actions, maybe other fans
in the league should take a page from these fans.
For today, Hriscu's goal would be enough for the offense, and the midfield and defense kept another clean
sheet for the Aces. The Aces powered by with the 1-0 win, taking them to 9 victories , 1 loss, and 3 ties
with 7 shutouts along the way.
In what is becoming one of the most watched games in the township, the Lower Merion vs. Harriton rivalry
continues to grow. At one time, it was just another game, but now with certain underlining issues in the
township, and now that Harriton is in the Central League, the stake are much higher. In this game, they
would be battling their club teammates, middle school friends, and even neighbors and brothers.
Yesterday proved to be another intense game for the Aces. Having a large fan base, the Aces took the
fans energy and used it to their advantage. The chances would come for the Aces by way of their free
kicks and long throw-ins won by never letting a ball easily get by them.
The LM defense, the "stonewall", would have to stand firm again against the quick players from Harriton.
Nate Diehl, Colin Eisenstaedt, Tyler Niles and David Rosenfeld came up big stopping many quick counter
attacks that Harriton had launched at them. Winning balls in the air almost seems second nature to the
back 4, who seldom let a shot on goal. Teams have tried to outwit the defense and send long balls into the
box, but a superbly preforming Emmett McConnell in goal, has not let a cross in his box with out a strong
challenge, many times winning the ball while being hit by oncoming attackers.
It would be in late in the 1ts half of play when the Aces would get on the board first. A shot taken by
Matthew Lindeheim set up a David Rosenfeld corner kick. Rosenfeld took the corner and sent a strong
head high ball to the near post where junior Ben Hriscu redirected it past the stunned Harriton defense.
The Aces fans went wild as the team celebrated, and the fans from Harriton were silenced.
The half ended with the 1-0 score. In the second half, the Aces would have to keep pressure as they knew
the Rams would bring much of their own. Senior Michael Lemonick did all he could to neutralize the
strongest Harriton player and once a fellow club teammate, and the two had an ongoing battle the entire
game. Matias Fernandez-Duque winning the ball in the midfield created some quick chances for the wing
mid fielders Roberto Bonilla, Matthew Lindheim and Kenny Lassiter, who created some good opportunities
for the Aces. Forwards, Sasha Safavi, Ben Hriscu and super-sub Shane Votto would have a few cracks at
goal, but their shots were sent whistling by the posts just wide of the net, or at the Rams keeper.
The second half saw the much anticipated return of senior Garrett Baker, who in the off season tore his
ACL and had to have reconstructive surgery. Garrett and many of the players have been waiting for him to
step on the field and take his place amongst the 11 on the field again. As it were, Baker was seemed to
step into things nicely, he challenged head balls, made smart runs, sent good passes into the wings,
almost as if he had never left.
Both the LM and Harriton fans helped make this a great and fun game for both teams throughout the 80
minutes of play. Both groups of fans were respectful, in their cheers, words and actions, maybe other fans
in the league should take a page from these fans.
For today, Hriscu's goal would be enough for the offense, and the midfield and defense kept another clean
sheet for the Aces. The Aces powered by with the 1-0 win, taking them to 9 victories , 1 loss, and 3 ties
with 7 shutouts along the way.
(Above