by Jeffrey Wickerham
This past Thursday evening, the Tri-Valley boys soccer team played its first home match against Sheridan in the team’s 3rd MVL matchup. The Scotties came into the matchup at 2-1 (1-1 MVL) and the Generals were 0-3 (0-2 MVL).
The contest started with the JV teams playing one half, with the Scotties prevailing 3-0 with a hat trick from sophomore Chris Carpenter. One of his goals was unassisted, but the other two were assisted by Eli Voytko from a throw-in and Laetyn Holdsworth from a long ball from his defensive position. Keeper Lincoln Rhodes (junior) kept a clean sheet in the match.
Kickoff of the varsity match came soon after the JV contest. Five minutes in, junior, Yuvi Bastola slipped a pass to senior captain, Sam Schott, for his 6th goal of the season. Two minutes later, Yuvi saw a play developing and took advantage, sending a pass to senior Elijah Felumlee, who passed to freshman Corbin Ryan, streaking toward the goal. Ryan put it into the back of the net for his first goal of his high school career.
After the quick start by the Scotties, both teams were not able to capitalize, which sent them into halftime at 2-0. In the second half, Tri-Valley put constant pressure on the Generals, finally scoring their 3rd goal in the 67th minute, with a pass from Sam Schott to junior Nick Flarey, who put the ball into the back of the net. This was Flarey’s first goal of his high school career as well. In the 79th minute, senior Camden Wickerham sent a beautiful pass over the defense and freshman Lewis Mozena scored his second goal of the season, putting the score at 4-0.
The defense was again unbreakable, but with more of a team effort this game. Sophomore, Oliver Baker and seniors Gage Hindel, and senior captains Devin Watts, and Camden Wickerham started the contest, but Coach Keith Loughlin subbed in senior Ethan McClellan and freshman Jake Pratt throughout the game, keeping the back of the squad fresh. Keeper Owen Harney recorded his 2nd clean sheet of the season.
Coach Keith also kept his midfield and forwards on a rotation as well, with sophomores Chance Storer and Cole Dougherty, as well as juniors Dominic Dale and Laetyn Holdsworth sharing the load with Schott, Bastola, Flarey, Mozena, Felumlee , and Ryan. This helped allow the Scotties to win 21 of the 27, 50/50 (contested) balls. Final score, Tri-Valley 4, Sheridan 0
Next up, the 3-1 (2-1 MVL) Scotties will travel to Steubenville to face the 2-1-1 Big Red squad on Saturday, September 2. Kickoff is scheduled for 10:30 for the varsity squad, with JV to follow.