Making first post-season appearance since 1997.
By: Neil Hay
The last time the Allentown High School boys’ soccer team made states, every player on this year’s team was still in middle school.
The year was 1997. Even coach Joe Stanzione was somewhere else.
But Stanzione and his booters will play in this year’s second season because on Friday afternoon the Redbirds posted a 5-3 win at Hightstown to qualify for the upcoming state tournament.
For the Redbirds to make states, they needed a win or tie. Hightstown, however, was in a tougher situation: win or stay home. With the win Allentown qualified at 8-7, while Hightstown fell to 7-9. The Redbirds are in, the Rams out.
"That was our goal, our only goal," said Stanzione of the state tournament. "That was it."
With a steady diet of group 3 and 4 schools, making states with a limited enrollment is no easy feat. Game after game the team on the other side of the field generally had a deeper program than Allentown’s.
"I am definitely pleased. We are one of the little guys. We are at a disadvantage with our enrollment, compared to others schools. The guys were really happy All week we said what we had to do to get in. They came up big (against Hightstown). My guys showed a lot of class."
The locals took a 4-1 lead at the half and were never headed. Joe King had three goals and Andrew Barlow two to power the offense. Assists went to Barlow, Bret Malinson, David Griffiths and Chris McCans. Shots on goal were even at 13-13.
But the win was not without cost. With Allentown ahead 5-2, starting goalie Matt Vernon (seven saves) was injured sliding for a 50-50 ball in the second half and had to leave with a concussion. Vernon is expected to miss at least one week. Mark Fennimore (one save on a free kick) was an emergency replacement, then jayvee goalie Pedro Lemus (two saves) came on to finish up.
"Pedro saved one on a point blank shot. It was a big one," said Stanzione.
Allentown would have been in the same must-win situation as Hightstown had the Redbirds not defeated winless Ewing last Wednesday. But the Redbirds did defeat the young Blue Devils 5-0 at home. The game was scoreless through the first half, then the locals blew it open after the intermission.
Credit – or blame – the day’s strong wind for Allentown’s inability to score in the first half. The Blue Devils had the stiff breeze at their backs and, although the Redbirds had some chances, the wind was like a 12th player out there for Ewing.
But when the teams switched sides at the half, so did the complexion of the game. Steven Gorfman staked Allentown to a 1-0 lead and that was all the Redbirds would need.
"When Steven scored, it sealed it," recalled Stanzione. "Ewing is young, pretty much sophomore dominated. They had their chances in the first half.
"In the second half we took advantage of the wind. When we got three goals, I cleared the bench."
McCans and Barlow each had a goal, and Barlow two. Dan Ferraro, Barlow, David Nicholson and Kyle Erny all had an assist. Vernon (seven saves) authored the shutout as Allentown had 18 shots, Ewing seven.
Monday afternoon, however, with the edge off and Vernon out, the Redbirds lost at Florence by a 4-2 score.
"Without Vernon things are kind of tough," admitted Stanzione. "We were kind of flat and their field is tough. It is small and all dirt. But we have no excuses."
It is safe to say Allentown had a letdown Monday. The defense was not sharp, the offense did not score enough to compensate and, with the tournament situation settled, the Redbirds were playing without the same sense of urgency they displayed against Hightstown.
"Pedro played okay in goal. It was his first full game as varsity goalie. He made a couple of mistakes and so did the guys in back. And we didn’t score enough."
Florence led 2-1 at halftime, then made it 3-1 early in the second half. Said Stanzione, "It was an uphill battle. We had a couple of chances at the end but not enough."
McCans and Griffiths scored for the locals.
"The kids lean on Vernon. He’s been really strong for us. We couldn’t put it together (Monday). The emotion of Friday, no Matt, and being flat" were too much to overcome.