Avon Lake vs. Wadsworth on 9/7/13

When you bring together an experienced senior laden team and mix in some of the best Track athletes in the state, that will make for a potent combination and that is exactly what Avon Lake ran into in a 3-0 loss to Wadsworth.  The Grizzlies feature a several players who were state qualifiers in the 4X400 & 4X800 relays as well defender Sarah Berger who ran a 5:04 mile as a junior last year at the State meet.

Wadsworth wasted little time getting on the board as they scored their first goal less than 3 minutes into the game.  Leah Runkle received a ball with her back to the net and made a terrific turning shot which would prove to be the game winner.  Runkle is an All-Ohio first team soccer player as well as a state qualifier in the 4X400 relay.  The Grizzlies would score again with 10 minutes remaining in the first half on a hard shot by junior Helena Carlson that was deflected by Shoregal keeper Amy Crooks and kept rolling towards the goal.  Sophomore Hannah Studenic rushed in to tap it over the end line and into goal to give the Grizzlies a 2-0 lead which they carried into half time.

In the second half, Runkle added her second goal of the game on a ball she dribbled through the Shoregal defense and finished with a hard shot to the left side of goal.  Avon Lake had its best chance to score in the first half when Olivia Siko took a strong free kick which was stopped by the Wadsworth goalie.  In all, Siko had 4 shots on goal during the match for Avon Lake.  In goal for the Shoregals were senior Amy Crooks who made 9 saves on the day and sophomore Elise Duvall who came in but did not have a save opportunity.  For Wadsworth, senior Hannah Centea recorded 5 saves.

In JV action, Avon Lake won a thrilling game 1-0 as sophomore Casey Baughman fed fellow sophomore Nichole Nally with a beautiful pass which Nally drilled into the net for the game winner with only 9 minutes remaining in the contest. For the Shoregals, soph. goalie Elise Duvall recorded the shutout. With the win, the JV team moves their record to 4-1 on the young season.

Next up is state power Strongsville on Monday Sept. 9th at 7:00 pm in Strongsville.