Knights shut out Blue Demons, advance in playoffs

On+Thursday+evening%2C+the+North+Penn+Men%E2%80%99s+Soccer+Team+%28No.+5%2C+16-3%29+shut+out+the+Kennett+Blue+Demons+%28No.+21%2C+10-6-3%29+in+the+second+round+of+playoffs%2C+extending+their+season+to+the+third+round.

Anissa Gardizy

On Thursday evening, the North Penn Men’s Soccer Team (No. 5, 16-3) shut out the Kennett Blue Demons (No. 21, 10-6-3) in the second round of playoffs, extending their season to the third round.

TOWAMENCIN- Fall sports teams will tell you – they want to be playing their best by the end of October.

The North Penn Men’s Soccer Team (No. 5, 16-3) brought their best game for their first district playoff game against the Kennett Blue Demons (No. 21, 10-6-3) in the second round of playoffs.

The Knights shut out the Blue Demons 2-0, extending their season to the third round of playoffs.

The Knights took impressive control of the game from the start, keeping possession and quickly forcing shots on Kennett junior goalkeeper Moises Almanza. North Penn found the net early with a goal scored by senior Mike Kohler (33:40).

“The first goal is always huge [for us]. We know we can play well with a lead, so the goal put us in gear and ready to go,” said Kohler.

The Blue Demons answered back with a noticeable urgency to score, but the Knights had a different idea. The North Penn defense was relentless in keeping the Blue Demons from gaining opportunities to score, especially senior goalkeeper Bobby Dean. Senior Noah Kwortnik also helped the Knights defensively, winning almost every ball that came his way.

“As always, [Kwortnik] wins 80% of the balls in the air. He is as steady as it goes in our backfield,” said Head Coach Paul Duddy.

Senior Erik Szilagyi and sophomore Christian Snyder also put forth smart and aggressive pressure in the backfield to neutralize the speed that the Blue Demons were utilizing.

“They both adjusted well, knowing they had to beat [Kennett] to the ball, because they were quick to get around us,” said Duddy.

The North Penn defense was fast to move the ball up the field by connecting passes to keep possession. The ruthless determination of the Knights’ defense kept the ball out of the goal and in Kennett territory.

“Our defense is incredible; they are really the best. They feed the offense, and without them, we would be nothing,” added Kohler.

Seniors Nick Tercheck and Nate Baxter then led the North Penn offensive drive to attempt to put another goal in the net.

“We played well tonight; we were finding the width, and we were winning the 50/50 balls,” said Tercheck.

The Knights’ hustle resulted in another goal scored by Kohler, putting them ahead 2-0 at the half (19:59).

In the second half, the energy levels of both teams skyrocketed. Despite North Penn’s 2-0 lead, they showed no signs of being comfortable, and Kennett showed no signs of being defeated. A back and forth second half finally ended with no goals having been scored.

The Knights’  will be advance to play the Pennsbury Falcons on Saturday for the 3rd round of playoffs.

North Penn (No. 5, 16-3)

Pennsbury (No. 4, 17-3)

In the video below, North Penn celebrates as senior Mike Kohler scores the second goal of the night.