GIRLS SOCCER Boardman ties seeded Hoover

Janeen Masternick scored twice as the unseeded Spartans tied their future Federal League opponent.
By GREG GULAS
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
BOARDMAN -- The North Canton Hoover High girls soccer team will be the No. 2 seed when the Division I district tournament begins Oct. 15.
Boardman coach Fawzi Mujahed is disappointed that his team isn't seeded at all.
You might just say that Saturday's game at the Boardman High field had special meaning for the two teams as they prepare for tournament play.
Janeen Masternick's penalty kick 28 minutes into the second half, her second goal of the game, lifted the Spartans to a 3-3 tie over their future Federal League opponent.
"This was a very physical game for both teams," Mujahed said. "A tie is definitely better than a loss and our girls played the entire game with of plenty of heart. We have far too many injuries, however, and need some time to heal prior to tournament play."
The Spartans got on the scoreboard first when Masternick, assisted by Maggie Mills, scored on a breakaway four minutes into the opening half for a 1-0 Boardman advantage.
Vikings respond
Unassisted goals by Amanda Waltz and freshman Bethany McDearmon, at 19 and 34 minutes, respectively, gave the Vikings a 2-1 halftime lead.
"Both teams played really well today," Viking coach Bud Roberts said. "I really thought our overall passing and possession game was good. We had some chances at a shot had we made an extra pass and failed to capitalize on those opportunities."
Brittany Sirak's header off a Caitlin Hackett corner kick pulled the Spartans even at 2-2 just 12 minutes into the second half.
A minute later, though, play was suspended for nearly 25 minutes when the Spartans' Traci Sanders was carted off the field on a stretcher, then sent to the hospital for a possible concussion and eye injury.
When play resumed, it took less than a minute for North Canton Hoover to re-take the lead when Aleesha Denmeade scored off a direct kick from Alyssa Plakas.
When Viking goalkeeper Ashley Muffet was called for a yellow card at 28 minutes, Masternick scored her second goal of the game (and the 95th of her scholastic career) over Plakas for the game-tying goal.
"If we are healthy, then we can make some noise in the tournament," Mujahed said. "First, however, we must finish out the regular season on a winning note."
North Canton Hoover (9-2-3) outshot the Spartans 18-14 while Boardman (8-3-2) held a 6-5 saves advantage.