Depth powers ‘Stoga past Lower Merion and into district semifinals

By Neil Geoghegan
ngeoghegan@21st-centurymedia.com
@NeilMGeoghegan on Twitter
TREDYFFRIN >> It was just another installment of one of the state’s best boys’ soccer rivalries, but this time it was for a berth in the PIAA District 1 4A semifinals.
In similar fashion to the regular season clash, top-seeded Conestoga took advantage of its set pieces, and used its overall team depth to wear down visiting Lower Merion, and come away with a 2-0 quarterfinal result.
It was the same score as the earlier meeting on Oct. 3.
“It’s never easy against (Lower Merion). They are our biggest rival, and in my career we’ve played them more times than any other team,” said Pioneers’ head coach Dave Zimmerman.
“Every time we play (Lower Merion) it’s a tough match,” echoed Conestoga junior midfielder Cole Frederick. “It comes down to the set pieces most of the time, and I feel like today we did a good job of capitalizing on that.”
Frederick converted a throw-in about 10 minutes into the second half and it wound up being the game-winner. The fact that it came off an assist from teammate Westin Fryberger was absolutely no surprise.
“(Fryberger’s) throw-ins are ridiculous,” Frederick said. “It’s a cheat code. He can throw it upwards of 30-35 yards, so that basically creates opportunities like a corner kick anytime we are inside the 30.”
Now 18-0-1, Conestoga moves on to host No. 4 Downingtown East on Tuesday, with the winner earning a spot in the district final. And along the way ’Stoga avenged a loss to the eighth-ranked Aces in an all Central League district final a year ago.
The Aces (15-3-3 overall) drop into playbacks and will host No. 12 Council Rock North on Tuesday.
“We always know that these playoff runs, whatever postseason round it is, we are probably going to end up seeing Conestoga,” said Lower Merion head coach Nico Severini. “It speaks volumes about the two programs, and honestly our league.”

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Conestoga's Cole Frederick (1) celebrates a goal on Saturday against Lower Merion. Photo by Tom Silknitter.