Bulldogs bag Ravens to set up district final vs. Mooney
By Ryan Buck
POLAND
The Poland boys soccer team desperately wanted another shot at archrival Canfield with a trip to the district title game on the line Tuesay night.
What the Bulldogs received, however, was a visit from surprising Ravenna to Dave Pavlansky Field in a Division II district semifinal.
No matter. Poland jumped on the Ravens early and will ride into a district title clash with Cardinal Mooney on Saturday on the strength of a convincing 4-1 victory.
Bulldogs sophomore forward Marcus Trevis’ goal five minutes into the game propelled Poland — the district’s fifth seed — to a dominating first-half performance. Until a momentary breakdown late in the match, Poland’s defense also was at its best.
“We did some game planning and did some strategizing, but in the end we knew that if we played our game, and we’re comfortable playing our game then that’s all we could really hope for,” said Poland coach Brian Garcar. “And we should be able to play against pretty much any team we go up against.”
Trevis snuck past a Ravenna offside trap when Bulldogs midfield stalwart Anthony Sabulo placed a timely pass through space, leading Trevis to goal.
The sophomore calmly buried the wide open shot to give his team the lead.
“I basically walked the ball right into the back of the net,” Trevis said. “It was a major boost of energy for us. I think we have a hard time getting motivated at the beginning of games, but that really helped and brought on the second and third after that.”
Ten minutes later, a Trevis cross found teammate Matt Holsinger for a shot at goal. As high percentage a chance as Trevis found, Holsinger’s rip from 20 yards away needed to be perfectly struck and placed. The shot caught the top corner of the near post above Ravens goalie Brady Starkey.
Sabula, an all-district selection, settled a loose ball in the Ravenna 18-yard box after Joe Shields’ cross was deflected. The senior captain calmly took a touch then poked Poland’s third goal into a wide-open net with 14:38 left in the first half.
“I thought we did a good job of controlling the ball and having momentum (early in the game),” said Ravenna coach Matt Wunderle. “The goal took some wind out of our sails, but we were able to stand on our feet after that. Then the second one just sucked the life out of us. Even in the last 10 minutes of the first half we were able to right the ship a little bit, but what those three goals did for Poland was just all the confidence in the world.”
Ravenna (9-9-1) shocked second-seeded Canfield in overtime in a sectional final match on Saurday.
Trevis notched another goal when he put away a pass from David Watson, who was charging the net from Trevis’ left with 15:21 left in the game.
The Bulldogs’ defense collapsed on any possession the Ravens gained in their defensive end. A back line of Brian Partika, Evan Rumble, Kevin Cicuto, Matt Trevis and Holsinger was flawless in front of goalkeeper Bryan Montgomery.
Ravenna forward Tyler Braden put the Ravens on the scoreboard with 10:46 left in the game on an errant clearance attempt by Montgomery.
Garcar is confident his Bulldogs (12-3-4) are peaking at the right time.
“This game we played like we played well from beginning to end and for 80 minutes,” he said. “It’s always good to be playing your best soccer come tournament time. Our guys are exctied for Saturday just getting the opportunity and as we’re playing our best soccer all season helps.”
Garcar was an assistant coach during the Bulldogs’ last run to a district title game. Five years ago, he watched Mooney claim victory on Poland’s home field.
The Bulldogs and Cardinals will meet at 3 p.m. Saturday at the James Simon Sr. Soccer Park in Struthers.