ACES STUMP COLONIALS

Plymouth Whitemarsh manages just one shot in 1-0 loss to Lower Merion in district playoffs

ARDMORE » Lower Merion’s boys’ soccer team has put a lot of pride in its defense this season.

After netting an early goal Thursday afternoon, the Aces were willing to put that defense to work against Plymouth Whitemarsh. When a team can stick to its plan, good things will often follow and that’s just what Lower Merion got.

The Aces held PW to just a single shot on goal as they rode that one goal to a 1-0 win over the Colonials in the second round of the District I 4A boys’ soccer tournament.

“We just focused on shutting down their attack,” Aces fullback Thomas Podrasky said. “We knew they had some key players up top we were going to have to worry about. I think we did a good job, they didn’t really have that many shots on net, so it was successful.”

Podrasky had his hands full defensively covering the flanks, but found the time to give the Aces all the scoring they would need just six minutes into the contest. A long throw specialist, Podrasky fired on into the box on the near post that glanced off PW’s keeper and into the net.

The game began in a light rain that subsided near the end of the first half.

It wasn’t the first time Podrasky has scored off a direct throw in his career, but the senior conceded it was a rare enough occurrence that he’s still surprised when it happens. His intent was simply to give his team a chance to score early.

GENE WALSH — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Plymouth Whitemarsh’s Alex Lefkowitz dribbles up field near Lower Merion’s Max Shapiro.

GENE WALSH — DIGITAL FIRST MEDIA Lower Merion’s Thomas Podrasky settles a pass as Plymouth Whitemarsh’s Jacobe Sandcroft defends.