Mooney soccer in key games this week

Junior Kiki Willis is questionable with an ankle sprain.
By BILL SULLIVAN
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
STRUTHERS -- The Cardinal Mooney High boys soccer team faces a difficult stretch of its season and is looking to replace a big part of its offense.
In a 4-2 win over Lodi Cloverleaf last week, Mooney junior striker Kiki Willis badly sprained an ankle and is questionable this week.
Willis, who was named an All-American last year by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, has scored 23 of the Cardinals' 37 goals thus far.
"We don't want to rush him and jeopardize him for the rest of the season," Mooney coach Lenny Krispinsky said.
Mooney (7-0-1), ranked first in the weekly Ohio Scholastic Soccer Coaches Association Division II poll, plays at Div. III Warren JFK (6-2) Thursday at 4:30 p.m.
W. Va. state champ
Saturday at 3 p.m., in a battle of state champions, Mooney will play Linsly School of Wheeling, W. Va., at Tri-County Sports Complex in Struthers.
Linsly, coached by Dave Couts, won the West Virginia state big school title last fall and defeated Mooney 3-0.
Mooney won the Div. II state crown last year with a 21-2 record but the Cardinals have never defeated Linsly in six meetings.
"We want to start our attack from the back and get some other guys into the offense," Krispinsky said.
Saturday, Willis tried to play at Lakewood St. Edward but left the game after five minutes of action.
The schools tied 1-1.
Mooney has also defeated: Richfield Revere, 1-0; Sharon, 7-0; Shaker Heights, 7-1; Neshannock, 1-0; Ursuline, 8-1; and Salem, 8-1.
"We're trying to not depend on just one player," Krispinsky said.
sullivan@vindy.com