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South Range, Lakeview boys in regional games
By CODIE TALLEY
South Range and Lakeview are the last boys soccer teams standing in the Mahoning Valley.
The Raiders (16-2) are looking to get back to the Division III state tournament for the third consecutive season. They will meet Kirtland at 7 p.m. at Ravenna High School.
South Range is playing in its fourth consecutive regional tournament.
Coach Mike Bailey says that the experience and playing their style will be critical for the Raiders against Kirtland.
“If we play together and play our style — smart, physical soccer — and let everyone play to their strengths, we’ll be all right,” he said. “Having been to the state final four the past two years, we just have to play our game and not let the moment get too big for us.”
As for his players, Bailey said there isn’t just one standout player on the team, which makes it hard for opposing teams to key on them.
“Brandon Youngs is just a junior but he’s already our all-time leading goal scorer,” Bailey said. “He has 40 goals for us this season.”
Another key cog in the machine is defender Mitch McConnell.
“He’s our quarterback in a way,” Bailey said. “We’ve only given up 14 goals this season and I credit a lot of that to his leadership.”
Bailey also mentioned Reese Babuder, Canaan Johnson and Mark Vennetti as key components for the Raiders.
The South Range coach said Kirtland looks familiar on video.
“I dont know much about them, but we got to watch some film of their game against Beachwood and they are very similar to us,” he said. “They play fast and physical and try to keep possession of the ball out of their end of the field.”
Lakeview (18-0-1) will be taking on perennial power Richfield Revere, which won a state soccer championship in 2013. The teams will meet at 7 p.m. at Solon High School.
The Bulldogs defeated Canfield 4-1 in a district final to get to this point.
Lakeview coach Bryan Phillips gave a lot of credit to goalie Zac White for that performance against the Cardinals.
“Zac White had his best game of the season in the game against Canfield,” Phillips said
Noah Busefink is arguably Lakeview’s best player, winning Youngstown district player of the year honors. Busefink and Jeff Remmick each scored two goals in the district final, but Phillips said the Bulldogs are an unselfish group.
“Different guys have stepped up in different games for us all year.”
Like Bailey, Phillips said his team’s regional semifinal opponents mirrors his team.
“They play a fast, high-pressure attacking style similar to how we play,” he said. “We can’t be intimidated. We just have to go out and play our game.”