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Young Falcons rally
By Greg Gulas
STRUTHERS
Blake Baker’s goal with 7:37 remaining lifted Austintown Fitch to a 2- 2 tie with Cardinal Mooney on Tuesday at the James D. Simon Soccer Park.
On Senior Night for the Cardinals (3-7-2), the Falcons (2-9-1) built a 1-0 lead despite being outshot 5-3 in the first 40 minutes.
Baker scored both goals for the Falcons who haven’t lost in three games since their 0-9 start.
“Their goalkeeper [Michael Martin] didn’t come out on the play,” Baker said. “I got a pass from Brandon [Morton] and I just followed the ball and hit it with my left foot. I was able sneak it in.”
Despite holding a shot advantage heading to halftime, Cardinals first-year coach Thomas Beck felt the pace of the game was lacking by his group.
“I told our players at the break that we started the game too slow for my liking and the way that they are used to playing,” Beck said. “I challenged them to kick it up a notch in the second half and they responded to that challenge.
“I was happy with our effort and work ethic, but our finish tonight could have been a little bit better.”
Paul Graziano, assisted by Nate Jones, knotted the game at a goal apiece at the 29:28 mark of the second half. When freshman Jacob Mesaros notched his goal at 9:53, Mooney took a 2-1 advantage.
Graziano’s goal came off of an indirect kick.
“I got the ball and tried to squeeze it between what felt like six defenders,” Graziano said. “I placed it in the right side of the goal. We dug a hole in the first half but played much better after halftime.”
Mesaros, a freshman, played every bit like his senior teammates who were being honored.
“The ball was on the left side and was hit across the box,” Mesaros said. “It slipped through the goalie, I one-touched it and was able to get it into the net.”
The Mooney lead didn’t last long. Baker’s goal came just 2:16 later off an assist by Hunter Klaus, which knotted the game at 2-2.
It was his sixth goal of the season.
“I was in the box going for a header, but got fouled,” Baker said. “My strategy was the stay calm and keep the ball low to the ground.
“I aimed for the right side of the goal, kept it low and was able to sneak it in.”
Falcons coach Tim Welsh, also in his first season at the helm, has guided his team to a 2-0-1 mark in their last three outings.
“We have a young team with very little varsity experience, so we struggled through those first nine games,” Welsh said. “They’re getting up to speed now, especially the last three games.
“We’re playing at the level right now that has been expected of them,” Welsh said. “I see a lot of our younger players now stepping up and our older players playing a much needed leadership role.
“We have our tournament meeting coming up and we’re anxious to see our seed and where we stand,” Welsh said. “We feel like we’re playing our best soccer right now heading to tournament play.”
The Cardinals’ home record is now 2-4-2.