Trainor’s two scores give Spring-Ford edge over Pottsgrove
In a battle between last year’s Pioneer Athletic Conference boys soccer division champions, Colin Trainor struck twice for Spring-Ford and the Rams went on to a 2-1 victory over host Pottsgrove Tuesday afternoon.
Trainor was set up by Tommy Bodenschatz on the opener in the 15th minute while he hit the game-winner by getting a touch on an end-line cross by Brandon Duke in the 39th minute.
Pottsgrove’s Ryan Curnew leveled the match on a shot from distance in the 22nd minute to make it 1-1.
“I liked our possession and how we played and handled that defense pushing back on us,” Trainor said. “I think we’re playing really well, connecting and possessing well and doing exactly what we’re practicing.”
With Duke, Trainor and Brett Gulati leading the line, Spring-Ford controlled the match in the second half, forcing Pottsgrove back and creating the bulk of the chances. The Falcons weren’t without opportunities, Landon Shivak forcing S-F keeper Tommy McPoyle (eight saves) into a diving save to his right midway through the half counting as Grove’s best chance. Meanwhile, Pottsgrove goalkeeper Luke Kaiser (seven saves) commanded his area well and got good support from backs Justin Collings, Collin Deckert, Shane Gleason and Cooper Fiore in keeping SpringFord to only two goals.
Spring-Ford improved to 4-0 in the early going, off to a fine start considering the high expectations it carries after finishing third in District 1 last year and reaching the PIAA 4A Championships. But with a strong group of returning players led by captains Duke, Gulati and Trainor and midfield standout Ethan Mossip, the Rams aren’t getting ahead of themselves.
“Our goals are to win the Liberty Division four times in a row, hopefully (reach the) PAC championship again – this time with a different outcome – and keep a good level of play and good relationship with the boys.”
Pottsgrove fell to 2-1-1 but is 2-0 in the PAC Frontier after a pair of one-sided wins over Pottstown and Pope John Paul II last week. On Thursday, the Falcons got a shot at Upper Perkiomen, the team that knocked them out of last year’s District 1-3A playoffs in a upset loss via penalty kicks.
Spring-Ford heads to Boyertown Thursday for a matchup with the Bears on the lush field of Memorial Stadium.