On a Harriton team stacked with seniors, a sophomore steps up in state tourney win

A Harriton team known for its core group of seniors is heading to the quarterfinals of the PIAA boys soccer tournament thanks to the heroics of a sophomore.

Bennett Avila hit home a rebound in the box off a long throw in the 35th minute to put the Rams in front of District 3 runner up Susquehannock. Avila’s shot went through the legs of a Warriors defender after he hit a ball hit out by the keeper first time. Junior defender Zach Woodbury’s long throw into the box was one of several dangerous set plays that nearly led to an opener. Avila himself had an opportunity with a shot earlier in the half that went over the bar.

After Harriton took the lead, it was the defense that took over, limiting Susquehannock – led by dynamic junior attackers Ryan Beckitt and Ablov Bangura – to a couple of near chances in final 5 minutes of the half. Bangura had the best chance when he wiggled past a defender and sent a low liner toward goal but Greyson Smith was able to get low and keep the ball out.

The second half was marked by a display of calm under pressure with senior center backs Thomas Wolfington, Connor Stein and Will Short leading the way and everyone from Noah Posner to Noah Duffy making plays to cut down would be equalizing attacks. Second half goalkeeper Noah Katz wasn’t really tested thanks to a number of a key tackles and interventions in the box.

“The biggest thing for us was looking at film,” Short said. “Early in the season we struggled with our movement and keeping everyone spaced out and I think just communication and keeping us structured has been important.”

For Avila to score was not necessarily a surprise, least of all to his coaches, who see the work he puts in with and without the ball.

“It fell to my feet, I saw the ball and just put it in,” Avila said. “They were a good team and they gave us a run for our money but we did what we had to do.”

Despite being one of the youngest players on the field at any given time – along with classmate and fellow crafty midfielder Jax Novodor – Avila said the opportunity to play with older players has helped him to fine-tune aspects of his game.

“I’ve definitely learned a lot from them,” Avila said of the upperclassmen. “It’s been really fun developing through these last few years.”

Head coach Jeff Rhodes was pleased with the overall performance from across his roster.

“That’s what makes us dangerous; we have 7, 8, 9 goal scorers,” Rhodes said. “Anyone can put the ball in the net and it was Bennett’s night tonight. He played great.”

The combination of height in the back, technical ability through the midfield and attack and the ever-present danger of set pieces has Harriton well-positioned in their state tournament run, which they’ll look to continue in Saturday’s quarterfinals against Archbishop Ryan Saturday afternoon at Upper Perkiomen High School.