Lakeview’s dream season ends with 6-0 defeat

By Jim Flick

RAVENNA — Lakeview’s first-ever foray into the girls soccer regional semifinals ended Wednesday with a 6-0 loss to Chagrin Falls.

“We had an unbelievable season,” said Lakeview coach Shawn Verlay, whose team ended with a 14-5-2 record. “One game doesn’t define us. The program has come a long way in a very short time.”

The program will continue to improve, the coach added, because many of his players plan to continue to play soccer in off-season programs to develop their skills.

“In the future, this team will definitely be stronger,” he said.

Verlay didn’t blame mistakes by his players for the game’s outcome.

“Honestly, Chagrin Falls is a much better team,” he said. “They played a very aggressive offense, handled the ball well, and played strong defense.

“They wore us out. We didn’t see anything like this in the Youngstown regional.”

Chagrin Falls coach Pamela Malone said her team plays a high-pressure game.

“We have several scorers,” she said. “I kept running players in and out.

“We worked hard, and I think we wore them out a little.”

Lakeview played Chagrin Falls (16-1-3) almost even in the first half. The game remained scoreless for most of the 40-minute first half. With 14:35 remaining in the first half, senior Sami Lucci kicked in the game’s first goal off a corner kick, with an assist going to senior Erika Ilkanich.

The first half ended with Chagrin Falls leading 1-0. But Lakeview goalie Elaine Moldovan, a freshman, recorded five saves in the first half, compared to only one save by Chagrin Falls goalie Morgan Liber.

Chagrin Falls took command of the game early in the second half.

A little more than five minutes into the half, sophomore Preston Mendel smacked home a goal.

A little more than a minute later, Tigers senior Caroline Smith scored, and a minute-and-a-half later Lucci smacked home her second goal of the night.

Smith was also credited with an assist on Mendel’s goal, while senior co-captain Katharine Lipp was credited with assists on the third and fourth goals.

The Tigers scored three goals in three minutes and 13 seconds to take a commanding 4-0 lead.

Chagrin Falls scored a fifth goal with 14:15 remaining when junior Katie Seidel knocked home a goal with an assist by freshman Ashlyn Flaherty.

The scoring ended with 9:40 left when Kari Ilkanich smacked home a goal with an assist by junior Molly Stancik.

When the night was over, Lakeview goalie Moldovan was credited with 11 saves, compared to only one for the Chagrin Falls goalie.

Chagrin Falls will play for the regional championship at noon Saturday at the Medina Soccer Stadium.