PENNSBURY- TNorth Penn’s soccer team (No.5, 17-3) is a program that hasn’t played in the state tournament for 12 years, but in their game against Pennsbury (No.4, 17-4), they decided it was time to end that streak. Coming back from a slow start, the Knights were able to show Pennsbury their biggest asset, their chemistry, in their 2-1 victory on Saturday.

“We are all friends with each other, it plays a huge role on the field. It’s a big thing [for us],” said senior captain Nate Baxter.

The Knights started the first half by keeping good possession of the ball, but they were not able to find the net on their offensive drives. Both teams were able to work the ball down the field, but the aggressive defenses limited their shots on goal. It was the Falcons who finally scored first off of a penalty kick scored by Zachary LoBasso (12:52). The Falcons led 1-0 going into the half.

During halftime the Knights figured out what they were going to have to do to stay in the game.

“We knew that they like to kick and run, and we like to possess the ball more, so we decided not to push up our defensive line, to shut down their big players, and to play our game,” said Baxter.

In the second half it was apparent that the Knights were urgent to score, and that is exactly what they did. A picture perfect assist from Baxter to sophomore Luke McMahon on the post got the whole bench jumping for joy; the Knights tied up the game 1-1 (34:44).

“It was a great ball by Nate, and then I just saw it coming, so I sailed to the far post [to score],” said McMahon.

With the clock ticking down in the second half, both teams were eager to get the ball out of their backfield. North Penn senior goalkeeper Bobby Dean and senior Noah Kwortnik led the defensive wall for North Penn that kept the Falcons from scoring on their many opportunities. If Dean wasn’t calling the shot, then Kwortnik was jumping up to head it out of the area.

“I mean, when you have a 6’5’’ keeper, it kind of helps you. Noah is great back there as well.” joked Head Coach Paul Duddy.

“Bobby is a wall back there. He has great reflexes, great positioning. He doesn’t let people get past him; he is just the essential goal keeper,” said Kwortnik.

The dynamic duo was also assisted by sophomore Christian Snyder and freshman Carter Houlihan who kept the speedy Falcons out wide. Seniors Nick Tercheck and Mike Kohler were key players for the Knights, putting pressure on the Falcons, beating them to the ball, and getting the ball upfield.

Later in the second half, North Penn was celebrating once again after a lucky assist from Houlihan to McMahon gave them another goal to put them up 2-1 (19:57). However, the one goal lead did not give the Knights any room to feel comfortable. Being down made the Falcons turn their game up a notch, but the Knights were able to hold them off for the remainder of the game. The last ten minutes of the game were spent mainly on North Penn territory, but strong efforts from the Knights defense kept the ball from entering the goal.

At the sound of the final buzzer, the North Penn bench stormed the field, not just because they won, but because the Knights would be playing in the the state tournament for the first time in over a decade.

“We have been so close for so long, but we just couldn’t get over that hump; today we finally did,” said Duddy.

The Knights (No.5, 17-3)  will look to five Conestoga (No. 1, 20-0) their first loss of the season on Wednesday.