Boys Soccer: DeBellis’ moment of brilliance helps Delco Christian repeat as champ - Delco Times
By Google News Sports ·
UPPER DUBLIN — Delco Christian’s Matteo DeBellis finds himself in a unique spot on the soccer field. It’s not a question of “if” for the senior midfielder, but rather of “when.”
A playmaking winger on the Knights’ state championship team as a freshman, he’s now a holding midfielder providing structure while younger attacking talents create chances, a common trek backward within the formation in the Knights’ recent ascendancy. Sometimes this season, he’s been drafted into center back, his tactical awareness capable of doing that job for stretches.
But the magic in DeBellis’ boots means he can still change games in the attack. It’s just down to when he chooses to try.
On Tuesday night at Upper Dublin High School, it was the 27th minute. And it was decisive.
DeBellis’ shot on target after a long run through several defenders took a deflection off a defender and bounded in, the only marker separating top-seeded Delco Christian and No. 3 Dock Mennonite in a 1-0 win in the District 1 Class A boys soccer final.
The win sends Delco Christian (17-2-1) to its second straight district title and a third states berth in four seasons. The Knights lost in last year’s Class A final to Bentworth in overtime.
It also avenges one of two losses this season, a 2-1 setback to Dock on Oct. 5. Dock (13-5-2) drops into a regional against MaST Charter from District 12 on Thursday with a chance to reach states.
Delco Christian largely controlled matters in the first half, not unlike the girls’ 4-2 win over Faith Christian in the first game of the doubleheader. Much like the girls team, it didn’t turn into a payoff until a midfielder took matters into their hands and forced the issue. Like Arden Silver for the girls, DeBellis obliged.
“It’s really just about patience throughout the game,”…
Originally published by Google News Sports
