Father Judge wins, makes boys’ soccer history

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Nick Morris scored the late second-half goal that clinched the city championship on Thursday. Now he's the reason why Father Judge is moving on in the PIAA AAA boys' soccer playoffs.

"It's incredible," Morris said. "It really is. I can't even explain it. It's an unbelievable feeling."

Ron Cortes / Staff Photographer
Father Judge's Nick Morris celebrates his winning goal in 2nd half as Father Judge defeated Downingtown West 2-l on Tuesday.
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Morris scored in the 60th minute to break a tie and send Father Judge to the state quarterfinals with a 2-1 victory over defending state champion Downingtown West Tuesday night at Northeast High School.

In the process, Judge made history.

Judge entered the game as the top seed from District 12 and become the first boys' soccer team from the city leagues to win a state playoff game in the second year since the merger.

"I'm kind of at a loss of words," Judge coach John Dunlop said. "But this is only one game. Our kids did not know what to expect. You can give them all the motivation speeches you want. Until you actually play in this tournament, you get a sense of what it's all about."

Father Judge advanced to Saturday's quarterfinals against Central Bucks East at a time and site to be determined.

The Crusaders blew through the Catholic League playoffs. But the District 12 championship game, a 1-0 win over George Washington, was a close affair.

This one was tight, too, after an entertaining first 40 minutes which yielded quality scoring chances for both teams. In the second half, the defenses tightened until James Brueing found some space and delivered a spectacular entry pass to Morris.

One-on-one with Downingtown West goalie, Bobby Rosasto, Morris made a move inside the box take the keeper off balance and chipped it by him in the 60th minute.

"I saw James look for the through ball on the cross," Morris said. "I saw my run wide open, the guy wasn't watching, and I made my run back post."

He scored the game-winner in the 74th minute of the Washington game. He also scored twice in the PCL title game against Archbishop Ryan, a 3-0 victory.

When Downingtown West scored the game's first goal in the eighth minute - a header by Bobby Sutcliffe off a scrambled play in front of the cage after a corner kick - Father Judge did not go into a shell.

In the 29th minute, after a flurry of chances, junior Christian Pembroke put a header where Rosato could not touch it.

Rosato kept Downingtown West in the game at halftime by making seven first-half saves.

That wasn't enough.

"We put all our time and energy into winning a Catholic League championship," Dunlop said. "It's one of the toughest leagues in the state and so we know coming out of there, we'll be well prepared."

Downingtown West    1 0 - 1

Father Judge    1 1 - 2

Goals: FJ-Pembroke, Morris. DW-Sutcliffe

Saves: DW - Rosato 11, FJ - Swartz 6.


Contact staff writer Matt Gelb

at 215-854-2928 or mgelb@phillynews.com.

 

 

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Posted 08:47 AM, 11/11/2009
cyclops
Congratulations!!! Job well done & a proud day for the Father Judge community! Non Excidet!
Posted 09:45 AM, 11/11/2009
baconstribs
I don't understand what all the hype is about the Catholic League winning this game? Big deal... You finally beat a quality opponent. First off, if you don't win the State Title every year, you should consider your season a failure. Why? Because you can recruit players from ANYWHERE. How is that fair? Can someone tell me why we let the public and catholic league schools in the PIAA? Whats next the inter-ac? So be proud of your win... it should be expected since you can hand pick your talent. I hope CB East blows your doors off.
Posted 12:38 PM, 11/11/2009
phillynomore
Bacon... I can see your point somewhat, Look at LaSalle I'm sure they have a better recruiting plan with a bigger upsell but they couldn't get out of the PCL. I think Judge was able to get the right PSC kids! If you look at the rosters for the PCL (Public league does not post rosters) you can see where the kids play club soccer. Most of the city kids on varsity are playing club ball along with the PCL kids so there is parity between the leagues.
Posted 02:32 PM, 11/11/2009
w.collier
bacon...judge is a good solid team. i am not the biggest fan of the PCL, but they played well and deserved to win.
Posted 02:40 PM, 11/11/2009
Soccer2win
Congratulations to Father Judge. However as Bacon points out this is not a fair win. How does the PIAA allow teams that can hand-pick and recruit their players compete against teams that aren't allow to. They should be playing against teams like Germantown academy and other Catholic schools...that is right they would get destroyed against those teams. So while good win but if you don't win it all there is something wrong. Shame on you PIAA
Posted 03:00 PM, 11/11/2009
baconstribs
I don't discredit that Judge is a good team. but like you said, they were "able to get" the right PSC kids. Therein lies the problem... no other schools can just go out and "get" players. So basically Judge is a collection of all the best Philly Club Soccer players... Again, thats fair? Average PIAA schools get what they get.. 45-50 kids to camp... Joe schmoe from around the corner with two left feet... but he is what he is and the coach molds him into a player. Then you have Catholic schools coaches (the good ones) that network and go out and RECRUIT players to form these all star teams. My prediction is not if but when they include the inter-ac... and then Catholic and Inter-ac will rule because of recruiting. PIAA screwed up big time.
Posted 03:28 PM, 11/11/2009
phillynomore
But as I also said LaSalle has the 94 PSC team on it's roster and they were beat by Judge. If you look at Washingtons roster I am sure you will see players who are on comprable travel teams. What parents have to realize is that playing on a top PCL team does not gaurentee future success. The real issue is the academic elidgibility of some of the PCL players. I'm not sure if there is a PIAA governance or if teams are policed by their schools but I can bet that the starting 11 for a few of the playoff teams would be on AP in public schools.
Posted 05:33 PM, 11/11/2009
w.collier
Please , George Washington kids dont play on club teams.
Posted 05:33 PM, 11/11/2009
w.collier
Please , George Washington kids dont play on club teams.
Posted 05:59 PM, 11/11/2009
Soccer2win
That may be the case for George Washington because they are more in line with what the rest of the public schools do. As for the comment that the players on the rest on the teams are not under the same academic requirements and review that is not true. They are under more review because of the PIAA requirements that for some reason don't govern the Catholic schools. The Catholic and Inter-Ac schools have their own guidelines are are free to make up their own rules. These may be more restrictive or less restrictive but the enforcement is not governed by the PIAA.
Posted 07:29 PM, 11/11/2009
w.collier
i dont think the PIAA is gonna retract though on this decision
Posted 08:52 PM, 11/11/2009
phillynomore
Having personal experience with a PCL school I know the recruiting that goes on as well as the wink and nudge for academic eligibility in season. I like the city champ thing however but they may rethink the whole state tournament thing. And yes my son missed out playing this year due to recruiting of players who could not pass the entrance exam.
Posted 01:25 PM, 11/12/2009
hailafalcon
We all know who beat FJ twice this year! They are the best team in the Catholic Leage.
Posted 01:51 PM, 11/12/2009
soccer101
Wow hailafalcon must really make you feel good to say that...since n. catholic did not even get out of the catholic league tournament quarterfinals against a team that lost 8 games this year. I am sure you are hoping that FJ wins the state tournament so you can say that you beat the state champion. Better luck next year
Posted 02:08 PM, 11/12/2009
baconstribs
and last year they had a chance to make this so called "history" and choked to Neshaminy. haha..and i like that comment about them hoping that FJ wins State Title so they can say they beat the State Champion... how pathetic. win something.
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