Conestoga grinds out win against Upper Darby to go 8-0

A midweek Central League match at Upper Darby is never a given even for a Conestoga team flying high to start the season.

That was certainly the case Thursday afternoon at Upper Darby Memorial Stadium. The Pioneers found a goal in the first half off a set piece but had a battle on their hands throughout before a second half brace secured their fifth straight league win of the season and 8th overall.

“Upper Darby did a great job playing in a low block, defending really well and stayed calm, cool and collected,” Conestoga head coach Angelo Capetola said after the 3-0 win. “They made it difficult on us.”

James Wei found the breakthrough for the visitors on the back post after a free kick taken by Daniel Poltaraus was redirected by Drew Lucot. The Pioneers created more chances but the Royals defense stood strong and had moments of their own going the other way seeking out an equalizer. Upper Darby came in with 23 goals through their first 8 matches.

The score stayed 1-0 to Conestoga for much of the second half before sophomore forward Ewan Abhulimen took over, delivering a goal from distance that was deflected in by a defender and four minutes later megging the keeper after beating his defender to get to a long ball played into the channel by Hayes Cooney.

“Scoring goals is the job of a striker,” Abhulimen said. “So I’m happy I can do my job, I’m happy with the performance and can’t wait to get back out on the field and go again.”

Conestoga has two big tests coming up with a trip to face Parkland on Saturday before returning home to host Central League rival Lower Merion on Tuesday. Both the Pioneers and Aces will enter Tuesday with identical 5-0-0 records in league play.

For Capetola, a long-time assistant who took over the head coach job after David Zimmerman retired in the offseason, this season has been about redeeming an uncharacteristic ending last year in a loss to Downingtown West in the District 1 quarterfinals. It was the first early exit for the program since 2018.

“We’re on a little bit of a revenge tour so to speak,” Capetola said of the 2026 season.

Matthew Ralph

Matthew Ralph is the managing editor of Philadelphia Soccer Now. He's covered soccer at all levels for a decade in the Philadelphia region and has also written for TheCup.us, NPSL, PrepSoccer and other publications. He lives with his wife and two young children in Broomall, Pa., but grew up in South Jersey and is originally from Kansas.

See Full Bio