Click here for Flyer

Click here to Register

PICTURED above are the PASC coaches who once again graced (I think that’s the word I’m looking for) Lehigh County Soccer Fields for the Fall coaches’ game.

If you’re marveling at how fresh and energetic the two teams look despite 80mins of strenuous action that’s because the photograph was taken before the game. Post-game the demeanour was a lot less spritely.

Once again the two teams were Borussia Berger (blue and captained by Trevin Berger) and Real Madeira (red and captained by John Madeira).Both teams reflected their names and their captains’ characteristics. Berger led his team with a typical Germanic work ethic of non-stop running (though it has to be said sometimes to little avail) while Madeira (as befits a native of the Iberian peninsula’s lesser nation) was more inclined to go for the Hollywood touch, complain the teams were unfairly selected and to pressure the referees, though again to no avail. Doubtless the tension of wondering whether Portugal can beat the mighty Sweden to join the elite nations such as the USA in the 2014 World Cup was getting to him.Despite Madeira’s fears, the first half proved to be evenly fought. Borussia Berger opened the scoring through a fine shot by U19 Girls assistant coach Frank Bickel but Real Madeira soon levelled with a volley from a corner by PHS JV coach Ryan Kleintop.Next on the board for Borussia Berger was U14 Girls assistant Tim Shaul before PHS Varsity Coach and PASC Director of Coaching Patrick Birns scored for Real Madeira to send the teams into their half-time team talks tied at 2-2. I was on the Berger team so have no idea what Madeira said to inspire his team at half-time but it clearly didn’t work. Maybe the Latin approach clicks better with girls than boys.

After Berger himself had eventually managed to find the net and put his team ahead 3-2 Brandon showed his dad how it should be done (though not without some fatherly advice) by adding two more goals to make the final score 5-2 despite the stalwart efforts of Real Madeira goalkeeper Scott Dias.Also worthy of mention are the lone female participant Cory Frederick (who definitely wasn’t intimidated by the foul-mouthed males around her and hopefully will inspire a greater feminine presence for the Spring game) and Borussia Berger keeper Steve French. Both keepers were in the wars and will doubtless be grateful that when we do it again in the Spring the Cetronia ambulance station will be right next door rather than a couple of hundred yards down Parkway.Seriously though it was another good game and our thanks go to all who participated and all who braved the cold to watch and cheer on the teams. Our thanks also to the two referees - JV players Brendan Burke and Brandon George - who easily resisted the temptation to curry favour with Messrs Kleintop and Birns.Hopefully we’ll all be back in mid-June for the Spring game.

-George White

The Striker girls spent the day at the Northern Lehigh Food Bank in Emerald, PA helping to hand out food for one of the busiest handouts of the year, Thanksgiving. In addition the team collected and donated 800 lbs of food to help fill the shelves of the food bank.

Being a part of an athletic team teaches so many important life lessons. One of the most important is that of compassion; reaching out beyond yourself. Instilling a sense of social awareness is important to this team. Sometimes taking a step off of the soccer field and showing others that you care will pay tenfold in the athlete you become as well as the character you possess.

GO STRIKERS!!!

PASC U14 THUNDER won the DELCO Championship with a 1-0 win over Harleysville SC! Overall PASC U14 THUNDER went 10 wins 2 draws and 1 loss this Fall. This capped off a great season where the boys were crowned the Reading Rage tournament Champion and most recently the River Tournament Champions played in Delaware. Congratulations PASC THUNDER you played with great passion and represented PASC very well! Congratulations Peter Burke & Jay Varrato.

Baker to lead the oldest of three age groups during the Club’s Fourth Annual Development Academy, for players U13 and older.  Patrick Birns, PASC Director of Coaching & Player Development, excited to work closely with Matt to help players raise the level of their skills. 

Matthew Baker, native of Bethlehem, PA, attended Allentown Central Catholic High School where he set school records for most goals in a season (40) most career assists (43), goals (76) and points. He earned First Team All-State, First Team All-Area and All-Lehigh Division I First Team honors. He also was named to the Salisbury All-Tournament Team. He ranked among the region’s all-time top-20 in both goals and points, becoming the 40^th known player in the region to score 30+ goals in a season. Matt led the Lehigh Valley Conference and Colonial League in scoring and received Lehigh Division Honorable Mention honors as a sophomore.

After graduating from Central Catholic HS, Baker attended and played four years of college soccer at the University of Pittsburgh where he was the team leader in points and goals in his freshman year in 2006 as well as earning Big East Rookie of the Week Honors.

In 2009, Baker was voted team captain and earned Most Valuable Player distinction. Baker was a Big East Academic All-Star all four years. In 2009, Baker earned a spot on the Big East Academic All Star team. He was also selected as the University of Pittsburgh's Male Scholar Athlete of the Year.

During his college years, Baker also played for Pennsylvania Stoners and the Pocono Snow in the National Premier Soccer League. The Stoners went on to win the NPSL National Championship in 2008.

 Baker turned professional in 2010 when he signed to play for the Pittsburgh Riverhounds in the USL Second Division. He made his professional debut on April 17, 2010 in the team's 2010 season opener against the Real Maryland Monarchs and went on to make 18 appearances for the Riverhounds in his debut pro season. He earned Team of the Week honors and finished the season with three assists.

 Baker asked to be released by the Riverhounds at the end of the 2010 season to pursue a career in Brazil. He received a contract offer from Flamengo Paraibano of the second division in Brazil.

 Returning to the U.S., Baker signed to play for Reading United in the USL Premier Development League in 2011.  While at Reading, Baker earned All-PDL Eastern Conference honors in 2011 and spent most of 2012 holding down the right back position, where he was a key contributor on a defense that allowed just 11 goals in 16 matches. Baker has also played in several Philadelphia Union Reserve team matches.

Interested in becoming a PASC Sponsor?  To find out more about becoming a PASC Sponsor, make a donation or get involved, please e-mail President@ParklandSoccer.org

PASC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization managed by volunteers. We rely on the generosity of our volunteers, on our sponsors and contributors in order to continue to provide affordable and the best possible soccer programs for the youth in our area. THANK YOU!