C.B. East blanks Lower Merion in quarterfinal

The statistics before the game gave an accurate preview of the action Saturday night.

Lower Merion had allowed only one goal in its previous seven games; Central Bucks East had given up three in its last eight.

True to form, both teams allowed few opportunities in their PIAA Class AAA boys' soccer state quarterfinal at Souderton High. C.B. East prevailed, 2-0, after converting on two set pieces.

The Patriots will play defending co-state champion Central Dauphin in the semifinals Tuesday at a time and place to be determined.

"The win can't feel any better; it's indescribable," said defender Kenny Haug, who had a hand in both goals. "This is the feeling you strive for when playing any sport."

Haug's throw-in in the ninth minute led to an own goal, giving C.B. East (17-5-3) an early lead. The ball was thrown into the box from 25 yards out and bounced off a Lower Merion player's head, past Aces keeper Emmett McConnell.

With both teams playing solid defense, most of the quality scoring chances came off restarts, kicks, and throw-ins.

"Restarts were big in both directions," Patriots coach Mike Gorni said. "Defending them was a big difference for us tonight - it's harder to do. Lower Merion was a mirror image of us, but we were on them."

Lower Merion (19-2-3) came out with momentum in the second half.

An Aces goal was disallowed in the 47th minute when Lower Merion was whistled for pushing keeper Shane Donovan.

The play started when David Rosenfeld sent a perfectly placed restart kick into the box, with the ball headed toward an open net. But three Aces who were charging the goal were called for interfering with the keeper.

After the game, Lower Merion coach Nick Severini said he still was confused by the call.

Eight minutes after the disallowed goal, C.B. East took a 2-0 lead when Chris Kneeshaw threw in the ball and Haug headed it into the box. Lee Sandquist was there to head it in.

"Kneeshaw just came in and gave it a huge throw - his throw is bigger than mine," Haug said. "And it just so happened that we got on the end of it. It was great for us."

The play stayed even after the Patriots took the two-goal lead.

"It's devastating right now," Severini said. "But I think in four or five days, when they get over it, they'll realize that they had an awesome, awesome season. I'm really proud of these guys."

Both keepers recorded only two saves in the first half.

In the 17th minute, Lower Merion had its best look of the half when Mike Lemonick drilled an open shot from 30 yards out, forcing Donovan to make a strong save.

Central Bucks East   1 1 - 2

Lower Merion   0 0 - 0

Goals: CBE: own goal, Lee Sandquist.

Saves: CBE: Shane Donovan 6; LM: Emmett McConnell 4.