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Canfield boys close in on AAC soccer crown
By Greg Gulas
BOARDMAN
Frank Phillips scored twice and Maleck Saleh added a goal to lead the Canfield High boys soccer team over Boardman, 3-1, in All-American Conference Red Tier action Monday at Boardman High School Field.
The win gives the Cardinals (7-4-2, 5-1-1) a season sweep of Boardman (7-6, 2-5). With a win over Austintown Fitch on Thursday, the Cardinals can claim the outright league championship.
“This was a very big game for us because we came in just one point ahead of Howland and needed to win in order to keep pace,” Canfield coach Phil Simone said. “Frank [Phillips] has a vision off the ball that makes him dangerous around the goal while Maleck [Saleh] is a tremendous leader and very solid in the middle.
“We started off a little lax and when Boardman scored the first goal that proved to be our wake-up call. Down a goal, we then turned it up a notch so give credit to both goalie Jeff Joseph and our defense because they came up big for us as well.”
Zach Smotzer gave Boardman the early goal advantage, courtesy of an assist from Zach Stamp at 31:47 of the opening half.
Saleh’s third goal of the season knotted the game at a goal apiece at 19:48 of the frame.
“Our goal was to control the tempo, but we started slow and needed to get focused after they scored the initial goal of the game,” Saleh said. “We sent the ball in on a corner kick; I found the backside and was fortunate to be able to sneak the ball in over their goalie’s head.”
Phillips’ first goal of the night at 13:02 then staked Canfield to a 2-1 halftime advantage. The Cardinals never trailed again.
“I just happened to be in the right place at the right time for that first goal,” Phillips said. “Christian Hume kept working the ball, fed me nicely and I was able to finish the play. On the second goal, I was able to dribble through three defenders and sneak the kick into the net. A win like this is definitely a momentum builder for us.”
Phillips rounded out the scoring at 19:21 after intermission as Canfield earned its second consecutive win.
Spartans coach Eric Simione, while pleased with his team’s effort, said the result was a bit frustrating.
“It was a frustrating game in that we had been playing really well the past four or five games, but tonight we took a step back,” Simione said. “That’s not what you want to do with tournament play just two weeks away. The positive is that we know every aspect of the game is important and must execute in order to win.”
Canfield got off 20 shots, including 17 on goal while the Spartans had seven shots, two in each half on goal.
Boardman goalie Kevin Durkin registered 14 saves.