Downington West soccer coach pulls double duty
To say that Rob Smith lives and breaths soccer would be, well, correct. The Coatesville resident is known on the high school circuit as the knowledgeable girls' coach at Downingtown West.
To say that Rob Smith lives and breaths soccer would be, well, correct.
The Coatesville resident is known on the high school circuit as the knowledgeable girls' coach at Downingtown West.
He's also employed by Keystone Sports & Entertainment, the ownership group for Major League Soccer Philadelphia 2010. He will oversee team and stadium operations and customer relations and assist in the development of the community relations effort of the new MLS team based in Chester.
"Our goal is to field a competitive team that is fun to watch, hard-working, committed, passionate - a team that understands the underlying philosophy and respect for the game," Smith said. "We want the fans to be engaged and, at the same time, we will be learning from the fans."
When he's not preparing the latest MLS team for its 2010 debut, Smith coaches one of the state's top high school programs.
The Whippets (9-1) are ranked second in Southeastern Pennsylvania by The Inquirer. Downingtown West is also the sixth-ranked team in Region III (New Jersey, Pennsylvania), according to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America/Adidas Region III poll.
National power
Facing the Pennington School (N.J.) gives four area teams a chance to see how they stack up against one of the nation's elite programs.
The Red Raiders (5-0) are the nation's top-ranked team, according to the NSCAA/Adidas national poll.
Downingtown West, ranked second by The Inquirer; Archbishop Ryan; Germantown Academy, ranked seventh; and third-ranked Archbishop Wood are four of Pennington's next six opponents.
Today's 3:45 p.m. match between Pennington and Downingtown West has drawn the most attention of the four.
The Red Raiders won last season's matchup, 3-0. But with 13 contributors back from last season's squad, Downingtown West hopes to make a better showing today.
Pennington will host Ryan on Saturday. Then it has games scheduled at Germantown Academy on Oct. 4 and at Archbishop Wood on Oct. 18.
Conestoga climbs
The Pioneers moved up six spots to No. 7 in the NSCAA/Adidas national poll. The organization also has Conestoga (9-0) ranked second behind Pennington in Region III. The Pioneers are The Inquirer's top team in the area.
Greeley to the rescue
Conestoga can thank Murphee Greeley for its lofty rankings. The standout scored the game-winning goal in each of Conestoga's last two games.
The midfielder/forward tallied a sudden-death goal on Friday to give Conestoga a 4-3 overtime victory over Downingtown West. It was Greeley's second goal of the contest.
She followed that up with a goal in Monday's 1-0 triumph over sixth-ranked Gwynedd-Mercy Academy. That game-winner came midway through the first half.
Mighty Monarchs
Few people outside Gwynedd-Mercy's locker room expected the Monarchs to be competitive this season. But as Conestoga found out, GMA is solid despite graduating key contributors from last season's team.
In fact, the Monarchs (5-1-3) made history this season, winning a match at Villa Joseph Marie. That's something that hadn't been done before in the 19-year history of the GMA program.
Connell out for season
Wood lost leading scorer Bridgett Connell for the remainder of the season when it defeated Little Flower on Thursday.
The senior broke her collarbone. She had 12 goals during the Vikings' first seven games.
The Inquirer TOP 10
GIRLS' SOCCER
Team Record
Records are through Tuesday. Last week's ranking is in parentheses.
1. Conestoga (1) 9-0
A sudden-death overtime goal gave the Pioneers a 4-3 victory over Downingtown West on Friday in what is regarded as the area's game of the year so far.
2. Downingtown West (2) 9-1
The Whippets host the Pennington School (N.J.), a national powerhouse, in today's 4 p.m. nonleague matchup.
3. Archbishop Wood (3) 8-0-1
The Vikings have given up only three goals to Philadelphia Catholic League Red Division opponents.
4. Boyertown (4) 7-1
The Bears outshot Pottsgrove, 23-4, Monday on their way to taking a 7-0 Pioneer Athletic Conference victory.
5. Downingtown East (5) 7-2
The Cougars are perhaps the best two-loss team in Pennsylvania.
6. Gwynedd-Mercy (9) 5-1-3
The Monarchs' lone setback was a 1-0 heartbreaker to top-ranked Conestoga.
7. Germantown Academy (NR) 2-1-2
The Patriots are the class of the Inter-Academic League, beating Notre Dame and Baldwin by a combined score of 10-1.
8. Lansdale Catholic (10) 7-0
The Crusaders' next test won't come until they face sixth-ranked Gwynedd-Mercy on Oct. 7.
9. Strath Haven (6) 7-2-1
The Panthers are coming off a disappointing setback to Villa Joseph Marie.
10. Owen J. Roberts (NR) 7-3-1
Finally finding their groove, the youthful Wildcats have shut out their last four opponents.
Under consideration (listed alphabetically): Archbishop Ryan (6-2), Bayard Rustin (7-1-1), Little Flower (5-2), Notre Dame (6-1), Villa Maria (7-1-1).
- Keith Pompey
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