Schwerha nets lone goal as Greensburg Central Catholic boys edge Serra Catholic

By: HSSN Staff
Tuesday, September 19, 2017 | 8:51 PM

Not scoring at the breakneck pace the Greensburg Central Catholic boys soccer team started the season with didn't discourage Centurions forward JoJo Schwerha.

A bouncing ball that landed at Schwerha's feet ended up being the only tally in GCC's 1-0 Section 2-A win over Serra Catholic on Tuesday night at home. The Centurions, who averaged 4.6 goals per contest entering the game, had 10 shots on goal.

Seven of those came in the first half.

“I think that although we didn't put as many in the back of the net, I believe in the first half we spread the ball out and had the best half we've had all season,” Schwerha said. “I think what we need to do is get the ball wide; our best balls came from crosses.”

GCC (4-1, 3-0) had Eagles goalie Ted Almeter scrambling in the first half. Schwerha's goal came with 32 minutes, 20 seconds left in the first half. Six minutes later, Centurions forward Luke Mort hit a rocket off a volley; Almeter sprawled out and knocked it away with his arm.

Focusing on stopping Mort was Serra's game plan.

“We took advantage of our strategy of keeping their main player out of the game,” Serra coach Chad Bruns said. “We just gave up an early one we couldn't afford to. I think it's just a matter of connecting more passes. We got the ball and weren't looking up and seeing the field.”

The Eagles (4-3, 3-2) have been boom-or-bust so far this season. In Serra's four wins this season, they've scored 16 goals. During all three losses, the Eagles have been shut out.

Serra had its only shot on goal in the 13th minute, with an effort from Brandon Borek that was stopped.

GCC coach Tyler Solis was thrilled with the team's second shutout of the year. For the first time this season, the Centurions had the opponent get caught offside.

“Communication was huge, we have two center backs young to that position,” Solis said. “The biggest thing when we are working in the back is that we are moving as one.”

Nate Ward had two opportunities late in the first half for GCC but had them both turned away by Almeter. After the half, neither team had many strong scoring opportunities.

A big struggle for the Centurions was being able to close out the game effectively. Schwerha was given a yellow card for a delay of game after taking too long to take a free kick.

“I think it was a maturity thing for the team, they didn't understand,” said Schwerha about GCC's second-half struggles. “Yeah, I got a yellow card. It was frustrating to get that, and I should have just played the ball. I believe as a team we could have done better to get the ball forward.”

Solis said he believes it was part of the learning process.

GCC isn't going to be able to beat every team by wide margins.

Closing out a close game was a step forward for the Centurions.

“We didn't know how to end games,” Solis said. “I'm proud of them. They ended not getting a goal against them. They shut us down. They are a good team.”

Josh Rizzo is a freelance writer.

Tags: Greensburg C.C.