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Congratulations to the following soccer players from the Central League named to the All Delco Teams.
First Team
Michael Savadove, Radnor: The senior defender and lacrosse All-Delco is a consummate winner with defensive instincts that translate across sports. Savadove won a District 1 Class 5A basketball title last year and is part of the two-time reigning PIAA Class 3A lacrosse champions, adding a District 1 Class 3A boys soccer title this year. Across his last six seasons, Savadove’s teams have posted a 131-17-3 record. On the soccer pitch, he anchored a backline that allowed just eight goals in 23 games and posted 18 clean sheets on the way to 18 wins and the PIAA Class 3A semifinals. Savadove also scored three goals and added eight assists, mainly with his long throw ability. Savadove is a Harvard lacrosse signee.
George Pezzeca, Strath Haven: The senior midfielder has been a fixture in the Panthers’ squad since his sophomore season. His poise then in controlling the game from deep in midfield was beyond his years, and he’s matured there, leading vocally and with his play. Pezzeca added more goal contributions this year, with eight goals and five assists, helping the Panthers win 11 games and qualify for the District 1 Class 4A tournament. He had a goal and a helper in a win over Kennett, the winner in a 1-0 decision over Great Valley and a goal in a league win over Ridley. Pezzeca was one of only four Delco players to make the All-Central first team.
Brayan Chavez-Lopez, Radnor: On the All-Delco team for the second time, Chavez-Lopez was the invisible hand that ran the Raptors, on the way to 18 wins, a District 1 crown and a state semifinal. His positional awareness and technical skill on the ball in central midfield helped the Raptors remain so compact, fueling the 18 clean sheets and eight goals allowed. He was one of the team’s primary chance creators, with a team-high 11 assists and countless more dangerous moments spurred by his superlative field vision. He was voted All-Central by league coaches. Like Savadove, Chavez-Lopez was one of the tactical pillars around which Radnor rotated the lineup, due to injuries and tactical adjustments, to get the most out of the squad.
Andrew Marino, Radnor: The junior forward is not just skilled but has a knack for the clutch moments. Marino was the one who set up Nate Lucchesi’s goal in the first half of the District 1 Class 3A final and finished the game off with a worldie of a top-corner goal in the second. He tied the state semifinal against Springfield-Montco with seven minutes to play, Radnor ultimately falling in the shootout. Those were among the most important of his 12 goals and eight assists, a tally reflective of both quality and quantity. His attacking verve, whether running the channels as a forward or pulled out wide to the wing, helped Radnor win 18 games and cash in all the structural soundness of their midfield and defense.
Nate Lucchesi, Radnor: The senior forward was the main piece in the tactical musical chairs that changed the Raptors season. When coach Joe Caruolo moved Lucchesi from central midfield to center forward, Radnor took off like a shot, thanks in part to Lucchesi’s 15 goals and 10 assists. Lucchesi was voted the team MVP and a first team All-Central pick. Lucchesi scored the game-winning goal in the District 1 final. He had two goals and an assist in the first round of both districts and states. Lucchesi, like Savadove a two-time lacrosse state champ, will play lacrosse at the University of Pennsylvania.
Funsia Donzo, Upper Darby: Donzo was one of the few players in the Central League who consistently stood out to opposing coaches, in a year where only four players from the Delco schools were recognized as All-Central alongside the powerbrokers from Conestoga, Lower Merion and Harriton. Donzo was one among them, a speedy and technical forward who dictated matchups and forced opponents to change tactics. He led the Royals with eight goals and added two assists. Upper Darby went 6-12, though they started 4-5 before struggling through the middle of the campaign. Donzo is just a junior.
Second Team
Will Hall, Sr. G, Strath Haven
Aidan Damiani, Sr. D, Radnor
James Mulholland, Jr. D, Penncrest
John Teehan, Jr. D, Ridley
Jake Bowman, Jr. M, Radnor
Zach Northey, Jr. M, Garnet Valley
Beckett Young, Sr. M, Strath Haven
Omar Warthen, So. F, Ridley
Honorable Mention
Archbishop Carroll: Sean Goodridge, Thomas Malloy
Bonner & Prendergast: Ayo Kuponiyi
Cardinal O’Hara: Mike Foster
The Christian Academy: Judah Gray, Jackson Haseltine
Delco Christian: Judah Cooper, Matthew Levis, Jake Matthews, Judah Sacks, Cameron Vavala
Episcopal Academy: Michael McGonagle, Ryan Sewell
Garnet Valley: Nate Bourogiannis, Mike Medici, Owen Zweier
Haverford: Tristan Hevener, James Laniak, Owen Mulhern
Marple Newtown: Bennett Cox, Benk Gahler, Josh McMenamin, Dante Scarduzio
Penncrest: Dante Cholmeley-Jones, Connor Connolly, Anders Kristiansen, Leo Ouyang
Radnor: Jake Barber, Jack Ennis, Commerce Fisk
Ridley: Chris Capozzoli, Jonathan Daniels, Brandon Nguyen
Springfield: Jackson Bennett, Colm Mulholland, Shane McCaffrey
Strath Haven: Gabe Broome, Andrew Deppen, Nico Taylor
Upper Darby: Alphonso Murvee, Minh Cuong Nguyen, Zulkifal Shakir
Radnor’s Andrew Marino, right, with the ball as Springfield Montco’s Nicholas Marino defends during the District 1 Class 3A final on Nov. 2 at Norristown Area High School. (Mike Cabrey – MediaNews Group)
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