Fallsnewspress.com - Walsh boys soccer pulls out win over Woodridge

RPC file photo Woodridge goaltender Dan Moledor attempts to control the ball during a game last season. Moledor had six saves in Woodridge’s 4-1 loss to Walsh Jesuit Aug. 24 at home.

by Michael Leonard

Sports Editor

Peninsula -- Last season, the backyard clash between Woodridge and Walsh Jesuit boys soccer saw an experienced Bulldogs' side pull out a draw with a young Warrior sqaud.

This season, Walsh had the experience edge -- it has 12 seniors on the roster. That edge was telling in the rematch at Lahosky Field.

Walsh's possession game proved a bit too strong for a game Bulldogs' squad as the Warriors scored a 4-1 win Aug. 24.

Both coaches said their teams were suffering first-game jitters but were pleased with their overall performance.

"Considering that it was the first game, we did pretty well," said Warriors coach John Kissner. "The field is nice but it's very narrow. We couldn't play wide the way we wanted to."

"We lost to a better team today," said Bulldogs coach Ben Balc. "We've got 25 guys in the program; they're cutting 25 guys. If that's a state-caliber team, we're really not that far behind."

Balc acknowledged his team wouldn't be able to match Walsh's technical ability on the field, so the strategy was to dry try to use the Bulldogs' physicality to disrupt Walsh's attack.

This classic matchup of a possession team vs. a pressure team resulted in the Warriors having the majority of possession and shots in the first half. However, Kissner said his team should have done better with the chances it had.

"In the first five minutes of the game, we had chances and we couldn't finish," Kissner said. "That could come back to haunt us down the road."

Woodridge's defense got some crucial blocks and goaltender Dan Moledor made some nice saves to deny the Warriors early.

However, Walsh would not be denied in the 21st minute. Midfielder Victor Trifiro sent a perfectly-placed diagonal ball to Walsh captain Michael Brennan. Brennan then shot the ball across the face of the goal, off the post and into the net to make it 1-0.

Walsh doubled its advantage in the 30th minute when Moledor was caught in no man's land near the goal. Brennan was able to get the ball past Moledor and loft a ball to the back post, where midfielder Ian Varnish knocked it into the empty net.

Down 2-0 at halftime, Woodridge attempted to ramp up its pressure and saw some more success on offense early in the second half.

However, Walsh had one sure goal cleared off the line and another stopped on a brilliant diving save from Moledor.

Woodridge got back into the game in the 66th minute when its senior captains hooked up. Izet Bektic was able to slide the ball to Cody Lemke at the top of the box. Lemke chipped a perfectly weighted ball over Walsh goaltender Nate Casper and into the net to make it 2-1.

"They gave themselves a chance to win," Kissner said. "They fought hard. That's their style."

However, Walsh would get a late pair of goals from midfielder Matt Spittler to seal the win.

In the 71st minute, Varnish fed a ball to Spittler at the top of the box and Splitter hit a low shot under Moledor to re-establish a two-goal lead.

In the 79th minute, a through ball allowed Brennan to run in unmolested on the goal. Brennan's shot banged off the post, but Spittler ran onto the rebound and banged it home to make it 4-1.

Walsh had a 12-1 edge in shots on goal. Moledor notched six saves on the night.

"I think the score was indicative of the game, but the effort was there," Balc said.

Walsh was set to participate in the Ohio Jesuit Cup in Toledo Aug. 28 and 29, but results were not available at press time. Walsh will play its home opener against Marlington Sept. 1 at 7 p.m.

Meanwhile, the Bulldogs will host James A. Garfield in its Portage County opener Aug. 31 at 5 p.m.

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