Nazareth defense solid but offense struggles in 2-0 boys soccer loss to Emmaus

FROM THE EXPRESS TIMES

A strong push in the second half was not enough for the Nazareth Area High School boys soccer team, which lost 2-0 to Emmaus in a Lehigh Valley Conference game on Friday afternoon at Andrew Leh Stadium.

Emmaus, defending Lehigh Valley Conference champion, broke the scoreless tie with a goal from Patrick Groh late in the first half. Stevie Castellani added an insurance goal in the closing minutes, sending the Blue Eagles home empty handed.

"I think, unfortunately, we've been a second-half team this year so far, coming out a little bit slow and picking it up as the game goes on," Nazareth coach Tim Herb said. "That's what we're trying to work on."


Nazareth had only one shot attempt in the first half, coming in the closing seconds. Emmaus had seven, controlling the ball in Nazareth territory for most of the opening frame.

Nazareth junior goalkeeper Justin Schantzenbach kept the game scoreless after a barrage of scoring chances in the first half. With 8:59 remaining, Groh scored off a corner kick, assisted by Andrew Nixon.

In the second half, the Blue Eagles picked up their play but still had trouble coming up with scoring chances.

Emmaus nearly made it a two-goal game early in the second half. The Green Hornets were awarded a penalty kick, but Schantzenbach came up with an impressive diving save, keeping the game within reach.

"He did have a busy day," Herb said. "He's a good keeper."


Schantzenbach held off several Emmaus chances in the second half, but Castellani extended the lead on a breakaway with Groh registering the assist.

Herb was content with the team's defensive performance against Emmaus, winner of five of the last six conference championships.

"Defensively, we played pretty organized. We wanted to be able to capitalize on our offensive opportunities, and we didn't. That's what it comes down to," Herb said.

The Blue Eagles lost their previous game 2-0 against Northampton.

"As opposed to the Northampton game, we started to move the ball a little better. We started communicating," Nazareth junior midfielder Ayo Opeyemi said.

The Blue Eagles finished 11-8 last season and 4-12-2 in 2009. They hope to take another step forward this year.

"Last year we had great improvement and this year the bar is set even higher," Opeyemi said. "We got to make sure that we're still rising and doing what we need to do."

The team will look to improve despite the loss of one of last year's stars. Junior Colton Amidon, one of the top midfielders in the Lehigh Valley Conference, elected to play for the Philadelphia Union Academy developmental team.

"I wish Colton the best of luck, I talk to him constantly. But, at the same time, we certainly as a team do not focus on life without Colton. We focus on winning soccer games," Herb said.

The Blue Eagles play at Stroudsburg this afternoon and at Parkland on Monday.

"We just got to play the whole game," Opeyemi said. "We can't just turn it on in the second half. So, we got to make sure we're playing the whole game."

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/sports/index.ssf/2011/09/nazareth_defense_solid_but_off.html