Phantoms Slip Falcons in Soccer Showdown

A nearly forgotten friend was on the field as Pottsgrove hosted Phoenixville in a boy's soccer showdown: sunshine.

Biblical rains and gray skies gave way to a stifling haze in the first half of the Friday afternoon game. While the temperatures cooled down in the second, the visitor's offense did not, putting Pottsgrove away 3-1.

The Maroon and White went on the offensive early, getting off a shot on goal (one of 11 they would take) in the opening minutes of the game. Momentum shifted, however, and the Falcons found the ball in their end for most of the first half. Phoenixville kept control of the midfield and offensive end, pounding away at the Pottsgrove defense. Forced into a bend but don't break situation, the Falcons held strong, with goalie Steve Klotz (4 saves) and a reeling defense fighting off the Phantoms.

What little forays across midfield the hosts did enjoy were quickly stifled by Phantoms goalie Bryan Furr. The keeper was indomitable in the win, racking up 10 saves.

"Brian Furr is stepping up big time for us," said head coach Ryan Bombick. "It's a tough role to come in to as a sophomore. He's inexperienced in the league. He's not been a goalie for very long … he played in the field, and I put him at goalie, and he played really well for us today. He came up and commanded his box, pressured the ball, and made some good saves for us."

The second half had a reversal of fortunes, as such, with Pottsgrove gaining the momentum on the field, but not on the scoreboard. Despite pressuring Furr and the Phantoms defense, the goals went against Grove. Phoenixville struck first, as Justin Wentz knocked one past Klotz. The home team answered when Rashawn Larmond's shot ricocheted off the goal post to the foot of Travers Mutton. Mutton did not miss, banging home Pottsgrove's lone goal.

Ari Levine scored next for the Phantoms, as they tried desperately to hold off a Falcons rally. Ben Simmons finally put the nail in the coffin with the final goal of the game. Riding their 2 goal cushion, Phoenxiville held off the home team for the win.

"A lot of positive in the game today," Bombick said. "We got up 1 to nothing, and then we gave up a pretty good goal. The last game we played, my team had a letdown after we gave up a goal and we ended up losing the game. Today we came back out after we gave up a goal and we played real well. We went out there, re-established the midfield, passed the ball around, and got 2 more goals."

Falcons coach Jay Witkowski was pragmatic following the loss. "We've got a fairly young team; it's going to take time for everyone to get comfortable with each other and to gel together. I saw a lot of good plays, but at this level experience finishes goals."