Knights prevail in physical battle against Rams

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Prasham Jobanputra

Sawyer Meade recorded a clean sheet for the Knights.

TOWAMENCIN- Pennridge is always a tough opponent for North Penn and emotions fly high with aggressive and physical play.

“They played very tough. They never let us get into our rhythm and style of play, to their credit.  But we still managed with some mental toughness and it worked,” Head Coach Paul Duddy said about the Rams.

The North Penn Knights (8-1) took down the Pennridge Rams (6-3-1) 2-0 at Snyder Field in a Tuesday afternoon matchup.

The first goal came in the first half as senior Jamie Stewart threw in the ball to junior Josh Jones for a header that went past Rams goalie, Owen Gunn, and the Knights took the 1-0 lead.

Prasham Jobanputra
Josh Jones wins a header at midfield coming off a goal kick.

“[Jones] was pretty deep into the box and I know I could throw it that far.  I just needed to make sure I got it to him so I tried just to line one straight to his head and hope that he got something on it like he usually does,” Stewart explained.

The Knight then tacked onto that lead with a goal in the second half.  Carter Houlihan fired a shot that rebounded off the goalie.  Houlihan sprinted in to get the rebound and poked the ball into the back of the net for a goal.  The defense took care of the rest, behind junior goalkeeper, Sawyer Meade, who got the clean sheet.

“Defense locked it down, playing cleaner when we had to, lots of good headers.  Played good today,” Meade said.

Things got a little chippy with the physical play as their was a scuffle that led to a couple yellow cards, but in the end, the Knight hung onto the 2-0 lead for the win.

The Knights will be back in action Thursday for a game against the Indians at Souderton.  The Knights won this match earlier this season at home, 5-1.  4 of the 5 goals were scored by Houlihan.

“Souderton will play us every bit as tough.  And we’re playing teams basically from our area and in our conference and I think we’re the target at this point as far as North Penn and the soccer program,” Coach Duddy said.