GAME PHOTOS: http://smu.gs/1UH2pJv
The West Geauga boys soccer team came up with their best effort of the young season, but didn’t get the result the Wolverines were hoping for in a 3-1 loss last week to powerhouse Lake Catholic at Howell Stadium.
West G (0-4-1) was looking for its first victory of the season and things started out well as the Wolverines created more scoring opportunities during the first 15 minutes of play against undefeated Lake Catholic (4-0).
The game Sept. 3 started an hour late due to lightning in the area.
Brian Murphy, now in his sixth season, was pleased with his team’s effort.
“This was probably our best performance,” Murphy said. “We battled. We played well. Lake Catholic is very good, obviously.”
Lake Catholic coach Ante Pilekic said the Wolverines gave the Cougars plenty to handle.
“We never have an easy game versus West G,” Pilekic said. “We knew it would be tough. We tried to be patient and chip away.”
However, the Cougars settled down and broke through with a goal with just 2:20 left in the first half. Hrvoje Gregov made a nice run and played the ball into the box where Kai Adams finished for the 1-0 lead.
Next, the Wolverines started the second half much like the first by setting up scoring chances. It didn’t take long before West G broke through for the tying goal as Andrew O’Donnell scored from distance as his shot deflected off a Lake Catholic defender 7 minutes into the second half to knot the game at 1-1.
Murphy said the goal, just the third of the season for West G, was a huge boost.
“The team grew in confidence,” Murphy said. “It gave our guys confidence that we can play with a good team.”
Just 3 minutes later, the Wolverines nearly took the lead as co-captain Ben Hester’s header knocked off the right post.
“We want to compete in every game,” Hester said. “If we step it up, I feel we can.
“We have a lot of skill, but it hasn’t translated into games. We can possess.”
West G co-captain Neil Johnson agreed with Hester.
“I think we have a lot of young talent,” Johnson said. “It’s not portraying as much in games as it is in practice.
“I’m still positive, but it’s frustrating. We need everyone to give a strong effort.”
Unfortunately, for Wolverines’ fans, the Cougars responded. Lake Catholic earned a corner, which resulted in a header off the cross bar. The Cougars’ Jordan Bonchek was there to clean up as he put the ball in the back of the net to give back the lead to Lake Catholic, 2-1, with 26:32 left to play.
The Cougars added a final goal with just 1:13 left in the game as Chris Jamison scored.
Adam Reidel made five saves in goal for the Wolverines. The Cougars’ Aaron Valentine made three saves.
Lake Catholic had a huge edge in corners as the Cougars attempted eight to just one for the Wolverines.
GAME PHOTOS: http://smu.gs/1UH2pJv