By Roger Gordon

Correspondent

RAVENNA

It was a successful start to the season for Ravenna. The Ravens never trailed in beating Southeast 3-2 Aug. 15 at home.

“We stuck to our game plan, which is ball movement in the midfield,” head coach Eric Hedge said. “We had possession quite a bit, which is important for us because that creates opportunities.”

Pacing Ravenna was senior Preston Hatcher, who tallied two goals, including the winning one with 14 minutes left in the game. Junior forward Lucas Garey scored once, while senior defender Jason Hawkins dished out an assist.

Sophomore goalkeeper Johhny Adams had 18 saves.

“Johhny has room to grow,” said Hedge, “but he’s showing promise.”

Four days later, on Aug. 19, Ravenna lost 8-0 at Norton.

“We gave up some goals we probably shouldn’t have in the first half,” said the coach “including scoring one in our own goal.”

CRESTWOOD

Nerves, according to head coach Amanda Parsons, were what caused her Crestwood squad to come out a little flat in its season opener Aug. 18 at home against Waterloo.

“I think it was because it was the home opener, the first game of the season,” she said of her team that, despite having a case of the butterflies, still led 1-0 at halftime. “We talked about getting back to what we’re good at — short passes, having our defense make sure it’s dropping and filling when needed and just communicating.

“We increased our communication in the second half and were able to capitalize on the offensive opportunities we were getting.”

The Red Devils outscored the Vikings 5-1 in the second stanza, winning 6-1 in a rout.

Pacing the home team was senior forward Kyle Shelhamer, who had a hat trick, scoring all three goals in the second half.

“Kyle was definitely a standout,” Parsons said. “He had several opportunities, but

couldn’t connect. In the second half, he was getting more opportunities and was able to connect on his shots. His teammates were setting him up well. He battled in the box until he was able to put the ball in the back of the net.”

Scoring a goal apiece were junior winger Gio Brock, senior midfielder AJ Brock, Gio’s brother, and sophomore forward Ryder Miller. The younger Brock added three assists, while sophomore Sam Pausch and freshman Henry Sommer each tallied one assist.

Perhaps the biggest play of the game came when, with the score tied 1-1 early in the second half, junior goalkeeper Gabe Weaver saved a penalty kick.

“That was huge for us,” said the coach. “It was crucial for us to keep the momentum that we had. Gabe did phenomenal, had six saves. He was fearless in the net. He definitely commanded the defense, but he also was vocal when needed. He didn’t second guess his decisions.”

Pausch relieved Weaver halfway through the second half and had three spectacular saves.

ROOTSTOWN

It came down to speed and skill in Rootstown’s season-opening 8-0 victory Aug. 18 at LaBrae. The score was 5-0 at the half.

“We were just a bit faster and more skilled than LaBrae was,” head coach Charlie Voth said.

Pacing the Rovers were a pair of juniors – left outside striker Zach Pastor and center halfback Bryson Scarlett. Pastor turned in a hat trick plus an assist, while Scarlett scored a goal and notched an assist.

“Zach has always been real quick,” said Voth. “He changes speeds, knows how to get open and has a real nose for the goal. He’s not a big kid, but he’s quick and fast. Bryson is the guy who makes everything happen. He controls the game for us, he just creates everything for us. We play and go as Bryson goes.”

Scoring a goal apiece were senior center back Ben Smith, senior striker Landon Rodstrom, sophomore halfback Dylan Boland and freshman halfback Zandyr Ammons.

Assisting on a goal apiece were senior halfback Melvin Acosta and freshman halfback Alex Pastor, Zach’s brother.

FIELD

Field was running on all cylinders Aug. 19 in an 8-0 victory at home over Woodridge.

“We played the right way,” head coach Evan Young said. “We didn’t have many turnovers, we were attacking when we wanted to attack and we played good defense.”

Pacing the Falcons were junior forward Nathan Fulks and senior Mitch Adams. Fulks turned in a hat trick, while Adams scored twice and assisted on another score.

“Nathan played a wonderful game,” said Young. “In the first half he was very aggressive. He has a nose for the goal.”

With a goal apiece were senior Cedric Martin, junior forward Ethan Flores-Soler and freshman Paxson Silveus. Flores-Soler also had an assist. Others with an assist apiece were seniors Wyatt Rahe and Cohen Allen and junior Kaiden Wilson.

Junior goalkeeper Cole Porter played most of the game and drew rave reviews from his coach: “Cole’s reaction time is getting better each and every day.”

Four days earlier, on Aug. 15, Field fell 4-1 at home to Louisville in its season opener, a game in which the Falcons actually held a 1-0 lead on a goal by Flores-Soler.

“Ethan is a very good forward,” said Young. “He likes to beat opponents with his foot skills. He’s very good in one-to-one situations. I think we were containing Louisville very well, were doing all the right things.”

The score was tied 1-1 at the break before the Leopards took control in the second half.

“We just fell off in the second half,” Young said. “The boys looked like they got tired. We just collapsed after Louisville scored its third goal.”

AURORA

Aurora showed good resiliency despite its season-opening 3-2 loss Aug. 16 at home to Strongsville.

“We came back each time we gave up a goal except for the final one to tie the score again, but we just couldn’t get that final one to tie it again,” head coach Louis Kastelic said.

“Strongsville is a pretty good team. All in all, when you face a Division I opponent like that and the fact that it was the first game of the season, I felt we did a lot of good things that we can build off of. We know we have some things to work on.”

Scoring a goal apiece were senior forward Jordan West and junior forward Cameron Gentille. Gentille’s score was assisted by West.

“Jordan is part of a lot that we do offensively,” said Kastelic, “and then he works back to find the ball when we need him defensively or if we’re struggling to get it out of our back. He plays an all-around game, and he’s going to be a big part of the offensive statistics for sure, but he helps bring the team together. When he’s going, guys feed off of him. We look at Cameron as sort of another Jordan. He’s similar to Jordan in how he attacks. They play good combinations amongst each other.”

Three days later, on Aug. 19, Aurora played to a 3-3 tie at Mentor Lake Catholic. West had two goals and an assist, junior central midfielder Barry Wagner scored once and senior Griffin McMaster notched an assist.

“On one of Jordan’s goals he kind of dribbled through three or four defenders and beat them out wide. It was very well done,” Kastelic said. “Barry so far is kind of like the unsung hero, the worker guy of our team. He does all the dirty work to free up Cam. I rely on him a lot.

He’s just up and down the field, doesn’t need a whole lot of rest.”

KENT ROOSEVELT

Lack of execution was the key for Kent Roosevelt in its season-opening 3-0 loss Aug. 15 at Hudson.

“We had chances in the first half. We had the first three chances in the second half, but we just couldn’t convert,” head coach Garyn Daniels said. “We had a penalty kick late in the game that we didn’t convert. We made some mistakes and missed some opportunities, and

Hudson converted theirs. All the credit in the world to Hudson. Both goals they scored in the first half were off of two well-executed balls from 35-40 yards out.”

Junior Isan Roberts and Simon Hassler played well in defeat.

“Isan typically plays on the wing, but due to some injuries we had to put him at center back. He created multiple chances,” said Daniels. “Simon was all over the field.”

SOUTHEAST

They battled back twice to tie the score, but the third time was not the charm for the Southeast Pirates in their season-opening 3-2 loss Aug. 15 at Ravenna.

Southeast was down 1-0, tied the score 1-1, trailed 2-1 at halftime and tied the score 2-2.

After the home team went up by one again with about 14 minutes left in the game, the Pirates were unable to tie the score one more time.

“We were happy with how we played,” head coach Curtis Ahrens said. “Our boys really played hard. Rivalry games are always fun.”

Scoring a goal apiece were junior midfielder Cole Bruno and Bradley Dillon. Dillon’s netter, off his chest, was assisted by Bruno.

“Cole and Bradley are definitely going to be some of our offensive leading guys,” said Ahrens. “They’re going to carry a lot of weight on their shoulders for this young team.”

Three days later, on Aug. 18, Southeast was beaten 6-0 at home by Doylestown Chippewa.

Seven minutes into the game, the Pirates were down 2-0. The score was 3-0 at halftime.

“Our boys came out and played well for the first 30 minutes of the second half.

“Then, at that point,” Ahrens said, “I think our tired legs got to us and we let three in. Chippewa is a very talented team.”