PREP BOYS SOCCER Top seeds provide playoff atmosphere in the regular season

Cardinal Mooney prevailed over Canfield 2-1 at Tri-County Sports.
By CHUCK HOUSTEAU
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
STRUTHERS -- Saturday's boys soccer game at the Tri-County Sports complex between Canfield and Cardinal Mooney was only a non-conference regular season matchup.
But the game between the top two area soccer teams was much more than your average regular season contest, and the intensity was like a post-season game.
"We knew it was going to be intense," said Canfield coach Phil Simone. "They beat us twice last year, including 4-0 in the tournament. Our boys were ready to play."
This year Cardinal Mooney (14-0-1) and Canfield (10-5) are seeded first and second, respectively, in the upcoming Division II district tournament.
Both teams had something to prove.
Canfield jumped out on the Cardinals 1-0 in the first half, but Mooney scored twice in the second half for a 2-1 victory.
Mooney responds
Mooney scored on a free kick by Kiki Willis at the 37:14 mark and the Cardinals tallied the winning point on a goal by Christo Frangopoulos off a corner-kick assist by Zach Hernan with 15:30 left in the game.
The playoff-caliber atmosphere was evidenced from the outset until the final seconds clicked off the clock.
Cardinal Mooney coach Lenny Krispinsky said the intensity level was high because both teams know each other well.
"I'm very good friends with the Canfield coach," Krispinsky said. "I'm sure that and the two barn-burner games last year led to the added intensity tonight.
"Both teams had very big fan support and we were fortunate to come out with a win."
Early in the game, the teams battled evenly before Canfield's Matt Pietro was awarded a free kick from the 18-yard line. The senior captain drilled the shot past the Mooney defenders into the back of the net for a 1-0 lead.
Simone said that set the tone for his team the rest of the game.
"It was important because it took a little bit of wind out of them," Simone said. "If we could have kept that 1-0 lead a little longer, I think they could have been in trouble."
Rallying the team
At halftime, Mooney's Willis told his teammates he wanted the ball more.
Mooney got him the ball quickly in the opening minutes of the half, and he was fouled working his way toward a shot.
The junior scorer was awarded a free kick from 25 yards and he drilled it past the Canfield defense.
"Kiki's a great player with a lot of intensity," Krispinsky said. "He always plays under control and can get the job done."
Despite Frangopoulos' winning kick later in the half, Canfield battled to the end to try to get back in the game.
Simone said even in defeat the game will help his team improve.
"I think we knew we could play with them," Simone said. "This game will give us a boost even though we lost.
"We hope to meet them again in the tournament," Simone added. "But we have to get past a couple of good teams to get there and it's not going to be easy."