For Quakertown head boys soccer coach Bill James, it is a waiting game.
With a young team, James understands patience truly can be a virtue. His club entered this season off a 2-16 season (1-15 SOL), and this year’s unit has a similar makeup.
“Last year, we had a lot of sophomores and we had to work through the season,” said James. “But we don’t want to base anything on what happened last year. It is irrelevant to us this year.
“We have a very good junior class, and we are looking forward to taking the next step with them.”
The Panther recently dropped a 1-0 decision to Palisades. It was a special game for the Panthers (1-9) as they faced former assistant coach Jeff Harlow, who took over the Palisades program this fall.
“That game was against some of their former coaches, and emotions ran high,” noted James. “Palisades played very well and was able to score a good goal. Unfortunately, we didn’t do enough to deserve the win.”
The Panthers’ lone win this season was a 2-1 decision over Upper Moreland in which senior Stone Renshaw scored both goals.
Renshaw and junior Alex Jalboot are the team’s leading scorers with three goals apiece.
The duo along with seniors Tyler Walsh and Sam Maugle have formed a solid core for the Panthers.
“Those guys have done a nice job taking charge out there,” said James. “The seniors know they have to step up with this team.
“Alex Jalboot played at nationals this summer and we are looking for him to use that experience to enhance his season.”
James also has looked to center backs juniors Carter Tull and Ayden Walsh along with older brother Tyler Walsh to anchor the middle.
“They have all played well,” he said. “We’ll look for them to be steady for us in the second half of the season.”
Junior goalie Jacob Mosser is in his first year in the nets, and he has progressed along the way.
With a maturing team, James isn’t basing his team’s advancement simply on wins and losses.
“Our main goal this year is improving and getting better,” stressed James. “It can be how we train, how we treat each other, goals, shutouts, grades, wins and losses. We just need to be better than last year and get better each day.
“We have started to see some progress.”
James was optimistic his team could possibly pick up some victories this week. The Panthers hosted Cheltenham for their Senior Night Wednesday (results unavailable at press time), and then host New Hope-Solebury Friday.
“We think we can win a game or two this week,” said James. “Whatever the case, we’ll keep battling until the end.”
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