Defending their honor

When the Neumann-Goretti boys’ soccer team tied Franklin Towne Charter 2-2 in last week’s non-league contest, it was a much-needed confidence booster.

The goals happened to be the first two of the Saints era. But more importantly, it was the first game in which the squad rallied from behind to a tie during Matt Kelly’s three years as coach.

It didn’t even matter who scored the game-tying goal 27 minutes into the second half. What Kelly liked was that the Saints didn’t quit.

It was a good sign for a group of players striving for its first Catholic League win in four seasons. That might help the Saints reach their real goal: respect.

After all, this is a squad that, as the Neumann Pirates, overheard even classmates complaining that "the soccer team stinks."

The game against Franklin Towne Charter "was a very positive way to go into the Catholic League season," Kelly said.

Despite coming up short in Friday’s 1-0 loss to Archbishop Carroll, veteran team members still see cause for optimism.

Senior Sal Filippello, now playing his fourth season of varsity soccer, believes the Saints are a more cohesive unit this season.

"We definitely play as a team," the defender-sweeper said. "We are more together and have pretty good talent. We should pick up a couple wins based on that."

As it makes the transition into a coed school this year, Neumann-Goretti is stressing unity for all of its athletic squads. The boys’ new white game T-shirts bear the Saints logo on the front and the words "A New Tradition" on the back.

The team managed to keep Friday’s game very close due to a strong defensive effort. The visitors’ goal came just 20 minutes before the end of the game.

Much of the credit goes to senior Anthony Amendolia, a returning Second Team All-Catholic goalie, who finished the game with 20 saves. He was only one of three goalies to receive All-Catholic honors.

"I think Anthony is the best goalie in the Catholic League," Kelly said. "Anthony is a shy person, but when he is on the soccer field, he’s a monster."

Years of experience in the Southeast Youth Athletic Association, Seventh and Bigler streets, taught Amendolia that he must serve as a coach on the field.

"You’re the only player who can see everything on the field," said the goalie, who also wears the pads for Neumann-Goretti’s ice hockey club. "You have to command your team."

Of course, the hockey net and puck are much smaller than the soccer net and ball, which Amendolia said makes the puck easier to save.

"In soccer, you have more room and it’s fun," he said.

Amendolia, who is sharing the captain duties with Filippello, said he might give lacrosse a try next spring, but he’ll pass on playing goalie.

"I don’t think so," he said. "That’ll hurt."

The player’s top priority this fall is to provide enough defense for his team to claim some victories.

Kelly, who used to draw only five or six players to practices, said he now sees a greater commitment from all of his athletes.

The coach’s ultimate goal is to develop the Neumann-Goretti program into a playoff-caliber squad. As the goalie on Roman Catholic’s 1997 Catholic League championship team, he knows what it’s like at the top. Kelly said everything he teaches the team comes from his experiences as a player.

While the lessons have yet to yield winning results, there have been other measures of success. For example, the coach noted that the team’s goal production doubled last season from the previous year.

In other words, opponents shouldn’t discount the squad as they might have in the past.

"We have to build from the ground up," the coach said. "Losing was a part of past seasons. We have a new school and a new tradition."

Filippello feels that with some heart and dedication, the Saints can take on any team.

"A lot of it is just proving ourselves against the competition," he said. "We have to play until the last second of a game."

Amendolia said if Neumann-Goretti stays unified, this could be the season the athletes finally clear that losing hurdle.

"Every year, we come so close," said the player, who hopes to continue playing soccer at La Salle University. "This year is probably the best team we’ve had in all my years at Neumann."