BOYS DIVISION II REGIONAL SOCCER MEET Mooney ousted by Chagrin Falls

The Cardinals' long undefeated streak was snapped, 2-0, in a regional final.
By CHUCK HOUSTEAU
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
RAVENNA -- Cardinal Mooney High won't get a chance to defend its 2002 Division II soccer championship.
Chagrin Falls behind two goals by Patrick McCourt, upset the Cardinals, 2-0, in the regional championship game at Ravenna High Stadium.
McCourt headed in both goals after long direct free kicks by Patrick Coleman to give the Tigers all the offense needed to defeat Mooney.
Mooney (19-1-1) coach Lenny Krispinsky and Chagrin Falls (14-6-1) coach Mario Gerhart both said that luck played a huge role in the outcome of the game.
"We lucked out," Gerhart said.
"We had no luck," said Krispinsky.
Good fortune
Gerhart said that both goals were just good fortune.
"We got two goals that went in off long free kicks," he said. "We had a little luck and they went in."
Krispinsky said that the Cardinals were victims of those unlucky bounces.
"Soccer is a combination of skill, chemistry and luck," Krispinsky said. "Tonight we had the skill, the
chemistry but we definitely did not have the luck."
Whatever the case, the outcome was not favorable for the Cardinals who struggled offensively against Chagrin Falls' aggressive, physical style of play.
Mooney saw its 37-game unbeaten streak come to an end at the most inopportune time.
"It was a great run," Krispinsky said of the streak. "But we will bounce back from this setback."
Mooney lost nine seniors from last year's team and started five freshmen this year. The Cardinals only have three seniors on the roster.
Kept ball from Willis
Chagrin Falls was able to take advantage of Mooney's young players by taking the game to the Cards, and keeping the ball away from Kiki Willis.
Willis, who has 50 goals this year, was shut out by a combination of things.
Falls had Matt Olsson cover Mooney midfielder Christo Frangopolous with the idea of not letting him get the ball to Willis.
The Tigers also were able to win balls away from Mooney's young players with their physical play.
That combination limited Mooney to just one shot in the first half.
After Falls scored its second goal at 31:10 of the second half, Mooney tried to step up its offensive pressure.
Got some shots
Willis managed to get three strong shots at the Tigers net and Frangopolous also had a legitimate shot on goal.
Chagrin Falls goal keeper Gideon Clark did an outstanding job of keeping the ball out of the goal.
"We knew up front that they were going to be a very physical team," Krispinsky said. "We knew we were in for a battle.
"Give them credit. They are a good team and tonight things went their way."