Epstein's goal lifts Central Bucks East to playoff win over rival Central Bucks West
The Central Bucks East High School boys' soccer team did a lot of things well Tuesday night.
But when the Patriots needed a goal, Brandon Epstein delivered.
The senior forward found the top right corner of the net from 38 yards out just 34 seconds into the second half. The marker turned out to be the evening’s only goal as his side bested Central Bucks West 1-0 in the opening round of the District One Class 4A boys’ soccer tournament at Patriot Stadium.
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The 13th-seeded Patriots (12-5-2) are now primed to face fourth-seeded Abington in Thursday’s second round.East is not a flashy squad, but it offers balance and an impressive work rate.
“We’ve got a lot of guys that can find the back of the net at any given time,” Epstein said. “That’s what makes us so dangerous and so hard to play against. I think we proved that tonight.”
The Patriots controlled the flow of play and had a number of quality chances notably in the first half. Epstein said he and his teammates were confident they would eventually break through with a goal.
“When you get so many of those chances, at least one has got to fall,” he said. “Their keeper did a great job.”
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East coach Josh Isaacsohn was pleased with his team’s work rate.
“I thought we moved the ball around really well,” he said. “Wwe had more chances than what the scoreboard ended up looking like.”
Epstein is looking forward to Thursday’s test against Abington.
“We played them earlier in the season,” he said. “They’re a great team. We had a tough battle against them earlier in the season, but we’re going to prepare (Wednesday) and get ready for Thursday.”
Game Balls
∎ Epstein's goal was a perfectly placed long-range strike. The Patriots had numerous chances, notably in the first half, but only Epstein was able to find the back of the net.
∎ Central Bucks East’s Jared Needles had an impressive game in the midfield.
∎ Central Bucks West keeper Griffin Blokker kept his side in the game and gave the Bucks a chance to win it. The junior finished with seven saves and could not be faulted on Epstein’s goal.
This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Central Bucks East knocks off rival West to advance in playoffs
