PA Dominion opens EDP League slate with 1-0 win over FC Europa
EDP League Mid-Atlantic Conference play opened for both PA Dominion and FC Europa in a slate of games played at Rosemont College last weekend. PA Dominion’s 2006 team had an impressive showing in a 1-0 win over FC Europa. Benny…
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Continue ReadingEDP League Mid-Atlantic Conference play opened for both PA Dominion and FC Europa in a slate of games played at Rosemont College last weekend. PA Dominion’s 2006 team had an impressive showing in a 1-0 win over FC Europa. Benny Goodrich converted an early penalty kick after Matt Johnson drew a penalty in the box that eventually held up as the winner.
Here’s a look at players who stood out in the entertaining match between two local rivals.
Trevor Grice
Trevor Grice
Grice started the game and subbed in late after the second half keeper was sent off for a handball outside the box. From the opening whistle, Grice stood out for his communication and organization of his back line. He also came up with a big save to knock a well struck free kick off the post and with FC Europa threatening to score a late equalizer deep into stoppage time he stretched out to make a save to seal the victory.
Benny Goodrich
Benny Goodrich
Goodrich got his team off to a good start when he converted a PK to give them an early lead. He came very close to completing an incredible run in the second half when he collected a ball from Logan Moore Logan Moore 5’9″ | M Faith Christian Academy | 2024 State PA , passed it ahead to Chase Bartman and then pushed forward to get on the receiving end of the ball back. He showed on that play his ability to go box to box as a midfielder who can create going forward but also win one v one duels and start the attack from his strength against the ball.
Macade Knoblauch
Macade Knoblauch
Macade had a lot to do in the midfield for FC Europa with PA Dominion dominating possession and dictating the run of play but when he was on the ball he looked sharp and was getting himself into good positions, especially on a shot that he tried to curl into the far post that came close to tying the game up.
Tanner Horvath
Tanner Horvath
If you’re going strictly on the player who had fans cheering his name the most for making a good play in the game, Tanner Horvath was the guy in this match. He made a number of big 1v1 tackles, clearances and interventions from his spot at center back and was deserving of the attention for his role in helping to keep the clean sheet.
Kevin Leiva
Kevin Leiva
Many of FC Europa’s brighter attacking moments in the match came from Leiva’s attacking down the right flank. Leiva’s pace and movement helped create some seems in the defense and he was able to create a number of corner kicks or send dangerous crosses into the box from his marauding runs forward.
Kehmar Green
Kehmar Green
With the way PA Dominion was able to move the ball through the passing of midfield standouts like Benny Goodrich and Logan Moore Logan Moore 5’9″ | M Faith Christian Academy | 2024 State PA and attacking players like Matt Johnson, this game could’ve easily been a lopsided one in favor of PA Dominion. Green’s presence at center back and his play on 1v1 battles and positioning throughout made the assignment much tougher.
Moore didn’t start the match but it was pretty noticeable when he did step onto the gray turf at Rosemont College because of his calmness on the ball and precision in the passing game. Moore is the type of player who always seems to know what to do with the ball, how to shake off a defender with a half turn or a step and where to play the ball forward to spring a counter attack. He looks comfortable pushing forward on the counter but also in holding the ball and waiting to find the right pass to unlock the defense.
Owen Bress
Owen Bress
Like Green, Owen Bress had a lot to do trying to slow the PA Dominion attack but he was an active presence on the day making plays to limit the damage.
Matt Johnson
Matt Johnson
No other player on the field had as decorated a fall as Matt Johnson who helped lead Northwestern Lehigh to a state title and posted 34 goals and 13 assists on the season. He showed his danger early when he darted into the box and drew the foul that set up the game’s only goal. Johnson’s ability to take players on whether he has the ball or not is a strength and his work rate and instincts in the final third illustrate how he was able to stuff the stat sheet last fall.