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Freshman’s goal part of Boardman’s crisp effort in victory
By ryan Buck
BOARDMAN
The Boardman High boys soccer team had little to complain about Wednesday night in a 7-0 victory over Canton McKinley in the first round of the Division I district tournament at the Boardman Sports Complex.
It was the ideal way to begin tournament play. Passing was crisp, shots kept coming and six different Spartans scored. Five second-half goals followed a controlled, but aggressive first-half performance.
Freshman forward Andrew Gable, however, needed to redeem himself.
Ahead 2-0 late midway through the first half, Boardman mounted another scoring opportunity on a quick transition into the McKinley half of the field. Senior midfielder Pete Ryan spied an opening in the Bulldogs’ defense and played a perfect pass toward goal.
Gable’s run onto the ball was flawless as he approached the ball unhindered and set to shoot. There was only one problem.
The linesman threw up his flag and the referee saw it right away.
“There was an offside call,” Gable said.
His scoring chance missed, Gable left the game minutes later to a playful cheer from the Boardman faithful and replied with a sarcastic ovation for himself as well.
“It was pretty relaxed,” Gable described the atmosphere on the field. “We felt pretty good coming into the game. Our fans have fun.”
Seven minutes into the second half, Gable redeemed himself. He worked his way into the McKinley penalty box and sent a screaming right-footed shot past Bulldogs goalie John Lioi.
“I’m usually not in a lot on varsity, so when I get chances it feels good,” Gable said. “It’s nice to get the team chemistry going.”
His teammates approved.
“He probably did miss a couple that he could’ve had,” said senior forward Nico DiIanni. “He finally cashed one in in the second half that he got a good look at. That was good for him.”
DiIanni’s first-half performance set the tone for the Spartans. Boardman’s best offensive weapon played an effective give-and-go with Gable atop the 18-yard box before sliding a shot past Lioi for a 1-0 lead after eight minutes.
He added another with 28 minutes remaining in the first half.
“We played well as team, moved the ball a lot and we really found the open man,” DiIanni said. “That’s really what it came down to.”
Boardman coach Ahmet Olgun, in his 13th year leading the Spartans, was pleased with the performance and how relaxed his team looked with the lead.
“With a lead and higher scoring, they play much better,” Olgun said. “In low-scoring games, there’s all the pressure and it can change any moment. I wanted the game played the way we wanted it.”
Mark D’Eramo, Alan Olson, Danny Gotham and Nick Mancini scored second-half goals for the Spartans, who will take on Massillon Jackson on the road in Saturday’s sectional final.