Wissahickon blanks Cheltenham
Wissahickon had played 10 games in the Suburban One American Conference before Tuesday. And in its 11th game against league opponents, the Trojans managed to do what they’ve been able to do for the past several weeks – not lose.
The Trojans stayed undefeated in league play, improving to 9-0-2, following a dominating 4-0 win over visiting Cheltenham on a cold and rainy afternoon at Wissahickon High School.
Wissahickon (11-1-2 overall) received one goal and two assists from sophomore Cole Kropnick en route to what was an easy victory for the conference’s top seed, something the Trojans have been able to accomplish with only two seniors on the team.
“I didn’t think we would have this kind of success this season,” Kropnick said. “,W’s D ELJ sWHS WR EH fiUsW Ln the league with a bunch of sophomores and juniors and it’s a big accomplishment.”
On Tuesday, the Trojans got the scoring started fairly early, as sophomore Shane Fallen took a pass from Kropnick and beat Cheltenham junior goalkeeper John Winnig for a 1-0 Wissahickon lead. Roughly 12 minutes later, Kropnick tallied another assist, this time on a goal by sophomore Devon Memis.
“We’re battered and bruised and (Wissahickon) came at us strong like we knew they would,” Cheltenham coach Chuck Gesing said. “They kind of overwhelmed us. We GLG RuU EHsW WR fiJKW EDFN DnG we had some opportunities early on, but we didn’t capitalize on them and the inevitable happened.”
Wissahickon continued to overwhelm the Panthers (5-80, 5-6-0) in the second half, as Kropnick and Memis each tal- lied goals to put the Trojans up 4-0. Junior Neal Guaglionone DssLsWHG Rn WKH finDO JRDO, wKLFK came in the 64th minute.
“We’ve tried a few things out and they’ve worked hard and the kids have done those things,” Wissahickon coach Stuart Malcolm said of his team’s success this season. “One thing I say to people in regards to high school is that each year is a little different and you see what comes through and you try to make things work. We’re fortunate in being successful as a team, since this is a team sport. I think it’s been a pretty good collective effort throughout the season.”
Wissahickon sophomore goalkeeper John Carrozza did his part, stopping the only shot he faced to earn the shutout for the Trojans.
Winnig stopped four shots in net for the Panthers, while Max Martin stopped one shot in net after entering in the second half.