H.S. boys' soccer: Luciano leads Faith Christian to District One 1A championship
Midway through Tuesday’s District One Class A boys’ soccer final the outcome was still in doubt. Faith Christian had the better of the play in the opening 40 minutes, but its advantage over Dock Mennonite Academy was just 2-1.
As the second half began, the Lions stepped up their intensity level.
Antonio Luciano and Isaac Schuster tallied goals 25 seconds apart and with just over seven minutes gone in the second half as Faith Christian built a 4-1 lead and cruised to a 5-1 win.
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“After the second goal, I think the game was ours,” Luciano said. “The other team was very good, but we are better.”
The win gave the Lions (17-3) their third district title in succession and sixth in seven years. They’ll begin state-tournament play on Tuesday against a District 12 opponent.
Luciano also scored the first goal of the night off a restart before the game was four minutes old.
The senior came to the United States 10 months ago from his home in Rome and has not been part of the Lions’ recent postseason success, which featured a state championship two years again and an appearance in the state title game last fall. So perhaps he approached Tuesday’s district final with an enhanced sense of urgency.
“For me (the fast start) was very important,” Luciano said. “Because (playing for Faith Christian) is a new experience. Soccer is a second family for me because my family is in Italy.”
More:Boys Soccer Playoffs: Follow along for district playoff matchups, scores, game recaps & photos
Game Balls
• Luciano scored two goals for Faith Christian, which won its seventh straight game.
• Isaac Schuster, a sophomore, scored twice for Faith Christian, which started seven underclassmen.
• Pablo Montana scored the only goal for Dock Mennonite. His goal tied the game at the time before Titus Gardner responded to put Faith Christian in front for good. Dock Mennonite closed its season at 14-7.
They Said It
“I think they like each other and I think that they enjoy playing. And I think just to have another week plus of practices together, that’s motivation enough. We know we have the skill to win and these guys know that the job’s not done.”Faith Christian coach Ryan Clymer.
This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Faith Christian knocks off Dock Mennonite to earn District One title
