The IPPSAL Division I Boys Soccer League has made great strides over the last few years. The competition in this league has certainly improved, and any soccer fan can see that the overall play is of a higher quality. Still, the league fails to match up with the level of play in the other three metropolitan area leagues, whose top teams will make up the field in the NYSAISAA Boys Soccer Tournament. Thus, only one spot in the eight team field is reserved for an IPPSAL squad. The IPPSAL representative to the NYSAISAA Tournament is determined by the outcome of the IPPSAL playoffs. So, while the Portledge Panthers have dominated the regular season in IPPSAL play, reaching a mark of 9 wins, 0 losses and 1 tie, their ultimate goal of reaching NYSAIS is still a few hurdles away. All this might seem somewhat complicated and a bit unfair, however, the facts support the situation. Although Portledge has dominated IPPSAL play this fall, the Panthers are only 1-4-1 in non league competition. Other IPPSAL teams have fared similarly. The task facing the Portledge boys is to maintain their strong play into these elimination games, come out on top, and then make some noise in the NYSAISAA Tournament. This will be a great accomplishment for the Panthers and could ultimately serve to elevate the status of IPPSAL Boys Soccer. Just a little bit pressure......yes. To much for this excellent team to handle........no.
How Did the Team Finish Off the Regular Season?
Following their Runner Up showing in the Portledge Invitational, the Panthers had four big IPPSAL games remaining. The team's performance in these games would determine their playoff seeding. The first match was away @ LuHi. This is always one of the toughest contests of the season, and this game was no different. After a hard fought but scoreless first half, the LuHi Crusaders broke through for the opening goal mid way through the second half. The Panthers were facing the possibility of their first league loss of the season. The Portledge team started to pick up their pace of play and before long the LuHi net was being peppered with shots. Finally, captain Ray Weinmann sent a free kick into the Crusader penalty area that Junior striker Trevor Wolfson directed to the back of the net. With the score tied 1-1 Portledge had the better of the chances as both Wolfson and Freshman Chris McCloskey broke in alone but were unable to score. The game ended in a draw and I think that both teams were satisfied with a hard earned point.
Next came a trip to LWA on that school's Homecoming Day. Building on the momentum of the big win earlier in the day by the Varsity Girls, the Panthers played some of their best soccer of the year on the way to a 4-3 win over the Tigers of LWA. Weinmann and Wolfson had two goals each as the big guns for Portledge were firing on all cylinders this day. Outside midfielders Renny Kraft and Nick Leask were very effective in pressing the Panther attack, and the defense was quite solid against a talented Tiger offense. The victory guaranteed that the regular season championship would belong to Portledge, and that the Panthers would have home field throughout the playoffs.
The last week of the season saw the Panthers take on the sides from Our Savor New American and The Waldorf School of Garden City. The Portledge team was victorious by scores of 2-0 in both matches. These wins established a undefeated mark in league play and created a strong sense of momentum leading into the crucial playoffs. The IPPSAL semi final v. Solomon Schechter will be played Friday, Oct 26th @ Portledge (2:00pm). The other semi final match pits LuHi @ LWA. The semi final winners will meet for the IPPSAL Championship and a berth in the NYSAISAA Tournament on Monday, Oct 29th @Portledge (2:00pm). GO PANTHERS! Bring home the IPPSAL crown.
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