Spring-Ford locks down defending champs

Hyduke’s goal sends Rams to 3-0 in PAC

Threatening weather conditions delayed the start of the Spring-Ford-Boyertown soccer game a half-hour Wednesday night.

Lightning and rain never came, nor did a flood of goals.

But the only goal scored was one of the biggest Spring-Ford has had in recent years.

A tightly contested defensive battle saw Spring-Ford break through in the 59thminute. Off Chase Parr’s excellent corner kick following a near miss in front of the goal, MichaelHyduke emerged froma pack and powered the ball into the net. The Rams, playing stout defense, held on for a meaningful 1-0 victory over the defending league champions.

Spring-Ford is now 3-0 in the league.

“It feels great,” said first-year Rams coach Brent Kissel, a Ram assistant the previous eight seasons. “We’ve had trouble getting results here.

“We’ve won some close games this season in a very tough league. I’m proud of the guys and the way they’ve fought.”

The Bears returned a flock of experience but are now 1-3 in the early standings and were coming off a 1-0 loss to Owen J. Roberts last Friday. The Rams, fairly quiet the last couple of seasons – 7-3-3 in the league last season – are regrouping under Kissel.

“It’s a great confidence builder,” Ram defender Drew Rheaume said. “We hung in there.”