Boys’ Latin gets payback vs. Glenelg Country

Last year, Glenelg Country School sent Boys’ Latin packing early from the MIAA B Conference soccer playoffs. Tuesday, Boys’ Latin returned the favor.

Senior Zach Davis had eight saves in front of the net while the defensive-minded Lakers suffocated the Dragons attack, en route to a 2-0 victory on Lake Avenue. Senior Trevor Kiddy’s strike in the first half and freshman Danny Shaifer’s free kick in the second accounted for Boys Latin’s offense.

“Last year they knocked us out early, so we really wanted this game,” said Kiddy.  “We knew it was the last time our seniors would play on this field.”

“It was the seniors last day here.  It was our game to win and we won it.  That is all we wanted to do today,” added Davis.

With just under ten minutes expired in the first half, the Lakers (10-5) struck first when senior Wells Stanwick’s long throw-in found Kiddy at the top of the goalkeepers’ box. Spinning around during a volley, Kiddy put just enough top spin on the ball to sneak under the crossbar and give Boys’ Latin the advantage.

“Wells [Stanwick] just told me to go through the gap right down the middle,” said Kiddy.  “I saw the ball bounce in the air during the volley and right away when I connected I knew it was good.”

The score remained 1-0 until Shaifer’s right-footed free kick from just outside the box eluded Glenelg Country (4-10) senior goalkeeper Daniel Amacher for the final margin.

For the majority of the game, Boys’ Latin controlled the ball on their offensive half and developed several goal scoring opportunities that they couldn’t put in the back of the net.  The Lakers also had a 7-0 advantage in corner kicks.  

The teams’ previous meeting Sept. 24 was an offensive slugfest with Boys’ Latin notching the victory, 9-5. Tuesday’s rematch was a far different story.

“The first time we played them they had most of their talent upfront and nothing in the back. If they didn’t get a goal – they gave up a goal,” said Lakers coach Don Rickles. “They tried to possess the ball more and they tried to build more then the first time. I would say they made good adjustments with their personal.”

The Lakers will now meet top-seeded Friends School (11-2-1) Thursday in the semifinals.  The Quakers won the teams’ previous meeting, 2-1, but Rickles knows his defense can keep Boys’ Latin in the game.

“We play tremendous defense. Our whole formula is score two and let up one or less and that’s all we look for,” said Rickles.  “If we score two, we are going to be in every game.”