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SPRINGFIELD — Coryn Silberstein and Liv Gutowski go so far back as soccer teammates and friends that they can practically complete their own sentences.
When it comes to scoring goals for Springfield this year, one hand (or foot) is always helping the other, it seems. They grew up playing together for Continental FC and now Cougars varsity and FC Delco.
“Liv and I have been playing together forever, basically, since we were really young…”
“So we know how we play,” Gutowski added before Silberstein concluded.
And?
“I know she’ll always be able to get to the end of my balls,” Silberstein said. “I have several other assists to her as well.”
When they absolutely needed a goal in the final two minutes of the second overtime with visiting Radnor, Silberstein and Gutowski came through at the perfect time. Silberstein, a junior midfielder, fed sophomore striker Gutowski from roughly 25 yards out. Gutowski made the run, beating Radnor goalie Mallory Toomey to the ball in the nick of time, then unleashed a cross shot and the ball fell inside right corner of the cage.
Gutowski jumped for joy as the Cougars (8-1-1, 3-0-1 Central League) celebrated a 1-0 victory, handing Radnor (6-2-0, 3-1-0) its first league loss of the season. Coming into play Tuesday, Radnor was No. 1 in the District 1 Class 3A playoff rankings, while Springfield sat in 12th place in Class 4A.
“Over the years when we’ve played against Radnor, it’s always been a close game,” SIlberstein said. “We’ve been practicing really hard and we felt that this would be a really good game and that we would come out with the win.”
“I told the girls that you can bend, but don’t break,” Springfield coach Brian Coleman said. “We lost 1-0 to them in the (Central League) playoffs last and it was a really close game. This was a big one for us. If you look at the stats, it’s Coryn scoring and Liv giving it to her, it’s Liv scoring and Coryn giving it to her. They have played really well together and have been helping each other all season.”
Radnor controlled possession most of the way, but Springfield senior goalie Emily Boyer turned away all six shots on net. The visitors won most 50-50 balls and had several good runs to the cage. Defensively, the Cougars received outstanding play from senior Carly Walters and junior Anabel Kreydt.
“Our defenders box out and they get in position to win balls,” Coleman said. “They do really well for us back there and they’re not afraid to mix it up. I can’t say enough about our back line. I think that’s been a staple for us and they continue to keep us in games and play really well.”
Springfield’s Ava Hennessey played good balls all game and a few chances to score after halftime. Late in the second half Mia Valerio made a quick move to free herself, then uncorked a shot that clanked off the crossbar.
Toomey, a sophomore, was excellent in goal for Radnor with five saves. Teammate Julie Breedveld often connected with a running Jane Daiutolo to create scoring chances. Daiutolo sent a cross in the waning seconds of the first extra session, but her play was snuffed out by Boyer. Sophomore Seala Koleth showed quick feet and an ability to create chances. Kate Boujoukos played a tough and physical game. Radnor, it could be argued, played the better overall game, but couldn’t capitalize on the scoreboard.
Springfield knocked off one Central League giant in Radnor. Next up is a meeting with undefeated Lower Merion Thursday afternoon.
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PETE BANNAN – MEDIANEWS GROUP Springfield sophomore Liv Gutowski, left, scored
in the second overtime to lead the Cougars over Radnor in their Central League match at
Springfield High School Tuesday.
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