Backup Bandlow comes through for C.B. East

Karl Bandlow doesn't usually get into soccer games like the one he played Thursday night at War Memorial Stadium.

The kind of game with fans chanting and bantering with the opposing cheering section.

The kind of game that is deadlocked for the majority of it.

The backup goaltender for Central Bucks East wasn't used to the environment against rival Central Bucks West.

High energy, tempers flaring - Bandlow might not have expected it, but he was most definitely ready for it.

The junior made a key save with 28 minutes left in the game - when it was still knotted at zero - and C.B. East went on to beat C.B. West, 3-0, in a Suburban One Continental contest.

"This was a really big moment," Bandlow said. "Zero-zero, our biggest game of the season . . . I just went out there knowing I could handle the situation."

Austin Prime, the starting goalie for C.B. East (8-0, 6-0) went down just seven minutes in after a head-to-head collision left him bleeding under the eye.

Bandlow, after realizing the senior who already has five shutouts wouldn't be able to return, started warming up. He took a few enthusiastic jumps on the sideline and then took his place in net.

"I wanted to be in there this entire season," Bandlow said. All I've been begging for is this chance, and now I had it."

His big moment came just 12 minutes into the second half, when a player for Central Bucks West (6-2, 4-2) broke down the otherwise solid Patriots' defense, leaving him one-on-one with Bandlow. The keeper read his body language and got down low to make the save.

Thirteen minutes later, J.R. Eisold scored the first goal of the game.

"I had a magic moment, I guess," the senior midfielder said, "And I just put it away."

Eisold's goal opened the floodgates, and the Patriots eventually scored three in the final 15:47, including one from Evan Vare, his 16th.

C.B. East has outscored opponents, 31-3, in eight games.

With a stingy defense like that, it's no wonder Bandlow knew he had the situation handled.

Central Bucks East 0 3 - 3

Central Bucks West 0 0 - 0

Goals: CBE-J.R. Eisold, Evan Vare, Brian Gilligan.

Saves: CBE-Austin Prime 1, Karl Bandlow 3; CBW-Dylan Smith 4.