Niles, Canfield battle to 0-0 tie on new turf

The Cardinals defeated the Red Dragons in last year's sectional tournament.
By DOUG CHAPIN
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
CANFIELD -- In a soccer tie, the visiting team usually is happier with the result than the home team, especially when the visitors are outshot 18-9.
That was the case Wednesday night when Canfield and Niles McKinley tied 0-0 in the first girls soccer game on the Cardinals' new synthetic turf.
Canfield eliminated the Red Dragons, 2-0, in last year's sectional tournament. The Cardinals (1-0-1, 1-0-1) return just two starters from their 10-5-4 team, while Niles (1-2-2, 0-1-1) has eight lettermen back from a 9-5-2 season.
A factor
"It being only our second game and their sixth was a big factor," Canfield coach Tim Wensel said. "We weren't pressed in our first game and Niles played a hard-fought, physical game.
"It was a good learning experience for us, it showed us the things we need to work on. And I know our girls will go to work. We will get better."
Niles coach Sam Reigle was pleased with the result.
"I want to compliment our entire team tonight," Reigle said. "We played team soccer tonight. We had gotten away from that the last couple of games, but this was an entire team effort."
Goalkeepers Anokha Padubidri of Canfield and Gabby Belcastro of Niles recorded seven saves apiece. Canfield took 18 shots to nine for the Dragons and also had four corner kicks compared to three for the visitors.
"It was a hard physical game," Wensel said. "I don't know that we're disappointed, though I know we wanted to win on our first night on the new turf. I was pleased how we played with heart, and at the end we were able to keep our composure. We can build on that."
Scoring opportunities
Both teams had excellent scoring opportunities down the stretch but couldn't find the net. Freshman Jenne Battaglia was off target from right in front off a cross from Audra Frimpong at the 17:30 mark. Eight minutes later Jill Terreri missed from in front on a cross from Molly Martin.
Niles had the next good chance at the 6:20 mark when a through ball from Carly Cicero found Megan McDermott, who passed to Courtney Christie on the left side. Christie's shot was just a couple of feet wide of the near post.
With 4:30 remaining, Canfield's Audrey Smith deflected a low pass from Battaglia and Belcastro came up big for Niles with a diving save. A similar play occurred at the other end with two minutes to play. A free kick by Shaina Cowell from 35 yards out was deflected low and on goal by Marissa Gargano, but Padubidri made the save for Canfield.
Final stab
The Cardinals' Jill Halfhill fired from about 25 yards with 1:20 on the clock and Belcastro reached up high enough to deflect if off the crossbar before catching the deflection.
Niles defenders Lindsey Hinton, Aliesha Sharpe, Stacey Fauvie, Jenny Kerns and Gargano were solid in support of Belcastro. Canfield's Rachel Melewski played well defensively using her speed to thwart numerous Niles counter-attacks in the second half.