Mooney's target? A regional crown

The Cardinals defeated Canton Central Catholic 4-0.
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
RAVENNA -- At the beginning of the season, the Mooney High boys soccer team had shirts printed up with a picture of a target on the back. Over the front of the target it reads, "Yeah, we know."
"We knew what we were up against," Cardinals coach Lenny Krispinsky said. "Without Kiki [Willis], everyone kind of wrote us off this year. Nobody gave us a chance."
They do now. Despite losing the top scorer in Ohio history to graduation, the Cardinals are one step from their third state tournament appearance in four years after defeating Canton Central Catholic 4-0 Tuesday in a Division III regional semifinal at Ravenna Stadium.
The Cardinals (16-3-1), ranked third in the state, will meet unranked Elyria Catholic (17-0-3) Saturday at 7 p.m. at Brush High School in Lyndhurst.
"We lost our star, but we knew we had a good team," junior Dom DiPasquale said. "We knew we could make it this far."
DiPasquale gave the Cardinals the lead just 25 seconds into Tuesday's game on an assist by Rob Fox. Senior Zack Hernan scored again three minutes later to make it 2-0.
Beyond expectations
Krispinsky was hoping for a fast start but even he didn't expect that.
"You know something? Sometimes when you start fast it can come back to bite you," Krispinsky said. "[Instead] it set the tone for the entire game."
DiPasquale added another goal midway through the first half and Hernan, a University of Akron recruit, scored the 66th goal of his career with 20 minutes remaining in the second half to end any lingering suspense.
"We're a young team and we just can't keep up with them," Central coach John Ketz said. "They have great speed and that's one of our weaknesses.
"We just don't match up well with them."
Central shut down
Mooney's defense, led by senior Kevin Miller, completely shut down Central's attack. The Crusaders had just one shot on goal, which was stopped by senior keeper Andrew Loudon.
"We were prepared for what was coming and then it came," Ketz said. "They deserved to win. They're a great team."
After the game, Krispinsky awarded game balls to Miller, DiPasquale and Hernan but made sure to give everyone credit.
"Everyone played well," Krispinsky said.
"Our seniors all stepped up.
"I've always told them [before games], Don't let this game be your last."
Regional regulars
This was Mooney's fifth straight trip to the regional. They lost in the regional semifinal in 2001, won a state title in 2002, lost in the regional final in 2003 and lost in last year's state final to Pataskala Watkins Memorial in overtime. All of those were in Div. II. All were with Willis, who is now playing at Elon in North Carolina.
"We struggled a little bit our first few games, but throughout the whole season, we've picked it up," said DiPasquale.
"The juniors and seniors are all experienced and they know how to play in these games. It takes a lot of pressure off the sophomores and freshmen."
Krispinsky's team hasn't played Elyria Catholic this season and, as a result, the Cardinals don't know much about them.
"They're undefeated," Krispinsky said. "That's what I know."
Actually, he knows one other thing.
"We can't wait," he said.
scalzo@vindy.com