SOCCER Hawken blanks Champion

The matchup was between Division III's fourth-ranked and fifth-ranked teams.
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
BELOIT -- Champion High boys soccer coach Nate Mailach wouldn't call Gates Mills Hawken a good team.
"I'd call them a great team," Mailach said. "They're the type of program that we want to model ourselves after."
The Flashes aren't there yet, but they're making strides. Champion's dream season ended with a 5-0 in Tuesday's regional semifinal at West Branch High. But Mailach, in his second year as head coach, knows his program has a bright future.
"Hopefully this is a learning experience," Mailach said. "You learn where you have to be to compete at this level."
Hawken (17-1-1) entered the game as the No. 4 team in the state and quickly showed why, scoring three first-half goals while dictating the tempo almost from the start.
"They just don't make any mistakes," Mailach said. "I don't think I've ever seen a high school soccer team play that well."
The Hawks advanced to play Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy in the regional final Saturday at 7 p.m. at Lyndhurst Brush.
Strong showing
Hawken freshman Adam Waxman scored two goals, including the first, which came on an assist from sophomore Brett Parker with 18:55 left in the first half.
Senior Andrew Tuttle scored again seven minutes later on an assist from senior Josh Greene, then senior Marshall Plow added an unassisted goal right before the half -- his 49th of the season.
"I know this is a very happy occasion for me," Hawks coach Dani Giulvezan said. "We prepared very well and we've been here before. Our team has that kind of experience and we played smart."
Waxman (on an assist from freshman Misha Carrel-Thomas) and senior Paolo Appley added second-half goals to put the match away.
"We didn't have a plan," Giulvezan said. "I just tell them to go out and play the way they can play."
Not enough
Champion, meanwhile, couldn't get anything going on offense and spent most of the game on the wrong side of the field. Senior keeper Jason Black had several outstanding saves, but Hawken's pressure allowed it to slowly pull away.
"We played our hearts out," Mailach said. "We're not the type of team that gives up."
The fifth-ranked Flashes (18-2), who were in the regional tournament for the first time since 1997, lose 11 seniors -- nine of them starters. Needless to say, they'll be tough to replace.
"Some of those guys are irreplaceable," Mailach said.
But they will return junior John Emery, who scored 30 goals this season.
"We'll just try to build around him," Mailach said.
scalzo@vindy.com