Gannon Goalkeeping Leads Abington Soccer to Fourth Straight Win

NEWTOWN — Finding a way to put one ball in the back of the net, as midfielder Billy Natter did Monday afternoon, has been enough for the Abington boys' soccer team.

While not ideal, the lone goal scored by the Galloping Ghosts was the difference in a second straight win, as the team then turned to a stifling defense and strong goaltending from senior Sean Gannon to slide past Council Rock North, 1-0.

"We're scratching and clawing and getting good battles," said Gannon, who also blanked Neshaminy nearly a week earlier. "We're playing big right now."

The results have been huge for the surging Ghosts, who have taken four straight games since a 2-1 loss to Bensalem on Sept. 19. In downing William Tennent, Harry Truman, Neshaminy and CR North, Abington moved to 6-3 in Suburban One National conference play and is moving toward a spot in the PIAA District 1 4-A playoffs.

Natter poked in a loose rebound off a corner kick, scoring with 4:20 left in the first half. North goalkeeper Will Terry stopped the initial corner kick from Kyle Rocks, but had no chance at the redirected effort.

"It was a scrappy play in front, and we didn't cover our men the way we should have," Indians head coach Wendell Beres said. "It was an off day for everybody. We played well, but just didn't finish. In a game [like that] you lose 1-0. I'm proud of the effort, but at the same time, you'd like to win a game that you win in every other aspect."

CR North can have the moral victory. Abington will take the one that counts in the standings.

The Indians lived in Abington territory for much of the second half, but were unable to beat Sean Gannon, who stopped 12 shots. Many more were headed off before they became dangerous.

"He's a big, strong athletic kid," Abington head coach Randy Garber said. "If you're going to score on him, it has to be a good shot. "He denied everything they shot at him."

Gannon admittedly got fortunate twice in the final 15 minutes. The first time came when Chris Kulczytzky's shot from the top left side banged off the top bar. Minutes later, Kulczytzky sailed a penalty shot wide left.

"I heard he prefers to go left, so I was ready," Gannon said. "I figured he might switch it up at the end, but I stuck left. He missed. We got lucky there."

When the final whistle sounded, the Ghosts celebrated handing North both of its conference defeats this season.

"It's special any time you come to Council Rock and get a win," head coach Randy Garber said. "They are a very good team. It's a tough way to win, but we've been fighting to stay in the middle of the pack. We're still hoping to get in the playoffs."

After the game, Garber wagged his finger and proclaimed, 'That's 1 of 4,' a reference to Abington's upcoming schedule that features conference games against Pennsbury and Neshaminy on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively, then a Friday game at Upper Dublin.

"We plan of beating Pennsbury, then getting another good game against Neshaminy," Gannon said. "Then, we'll see how the rest of our season goes."