DIVISION I SECTIONAL Poland topples Boardman, 2-1
The Bulldogs will face either third-seeded Canfield or unseeded Austintown Fitch in district play Tuesday.
By MEGAN TUROCY
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
POLAND -- The Poland High girls soccer team lived up to its top seeding Saturday in its tournament opener by pulling out a 2-1 victory over unseeded Boardman in a Division I sectional final.
Junior Brit Davis scored both goals for the Bulldogs and Dana Donchess had an assist.
"We practiced hard this week and our passing game did well today," Davis said. "Our defense [just] shut them down."
Poland coach Jim Sutman credited the win to the Bulldogs' defense.
"Our offense played great, but we knew we had to shut down [Janeen] Masternick, and our defense took care of that," Sutman said.
Masternick entered the game with 100 goals scored during her career.
Tuesday at 7 p.m., the Bulldogs will be at home against third-seeded Canfield or unseeded Fitch. In the regular season, Poland lost twice to Canfield and once to Fitch.
Bulldogs confident
As for the next round of the playoffs, Sutman said Poland is confident.
"It is going to be a tough game because we have lost to both Canfield and Fitch, but we seem to be hitting our stride at the right time," Sutman said.
Minutes after Davis scored her first goal, Boardman's Maggie Mills netted one to tie the game.
Late in the first half, Davis connected again for the game-winner.
Facing 21 Poland shots on goal, Boardman goalkeeper Liz Agnew had her work cut out for her. Agnew made 13 saves and said that her team played a great game despite the loss.
"It hurt us when [sweeper] Jenny Singleton got injured," Agnew said. "She is a great player and Poland is a tough team."
Singleton left the game with a facial cut.
Boardman coach Fawzi Mujahed, said, "My girls don't play as physical [as Poland]. They just work hard to get the ball."
Injuries hurt Spartans
With three defensive players out due to injury, plus the loss of its sweeper in the first half, Boardman was hurting for substitutes.
"It was a close game, but our team lost its focus after the injury," Mujahed said.