Wednesday, October 17, 2018
Bacon’s 2 goals help Poland sizzle
By BOB ETTINGER
POLAND
Poland boys soccer coach Brian Garcar has been looking for the Bulldogs to start matches in a strong way.
There was no better time for that vision to become a reality than in Tuesday’s Division II sectional semifinal against Niles y behind catalyst Jake Bacon in a 5-0 victory at Dave Pavlansky Field.
“We’ve been stressing with a young group that we need to start fast,” Garcar said. “That first goal can open things up. They were able to start seeing the lanes and that opened things up even more.”
The Bulldogs (8-6-3), seeded fifth, will play at fourth-seeded Canfield in a sectional championship on Saturday at 3 p.m.
“We saw them play at the very beginning of the year when we were scouting another team,” Garcar said. “One of the things we know is teams change throughout the year.
“We’ve changed since the beginning of the year,” he said. “We know, technically, they’ll be very good and their goalie is very good, as well. We’ll have our hands full being at their place with the fans there. Our guys are going to be excited for the opportunity.”
Bacon was the man responsible for opening things up for the Poland offense with the first goal in the 11th minute.
“I got a good ball down the line and I was able to cut back inside,” Bacon said. “I was able to beat a defender and I wrapped the ball to the back post. [The defense playing well] means everything. If the defense is able to shut them out, one goal ends the game.”
About 20 minutes later, Bacon pried the floodgates open with his second goal with 10:50 remaining in the first half.
“Getting that first goal allowed us to get goals two, three and four,” Garcar said. “When the defense is shutting them out, one goal will win games. We put a lot of pride in defense and we ask the forwards to do just enough for us to get the job done.”
Rocco Parente put the Bulldogs up three goals after Adam Rumble’s long pass allowed him to outrun the defense and take advantage of an aggressive defense from Niles goalkeeper Zack Kenendy with 9:10 left in the half.
A little more than a minute later, Rumble netted a goal for a 4-0 Poland advantage with 7:59 remaining as the Bulldogs took advantage of a moment of weakness for the Red Dragons (3-13-1).
“We disintegrated in the middle of the first half,” Niles coach Greg Miller said. “We gave them three goals on mistakes.
“The second half was strong for us. We felt if we could’ve played that way in the first half, we could’ve stayed in the game.”
Bill Ghinda finished the scoring after he rebounded a missed scoring attempt and sent it into the net with five seconds to left in the half.
Zack Nemeth (five saves) and Nate Hayes (four saves) combined for the shutout as the defense kept them out of trouble most of the night.
“Brennen Testa is a three-year starter,” Garcar said. “He brings speed and aggression and wins a lot of those 50-50 balls.
“J.P. Allsopp is a two-year starter and he’s really solidified that right side. Zack Kassem and Fredy Chammas do a good job, too.
“The best part about the defense is they know their jobs and work well together. They sometimes bend, but don’t break and they limit the scoring opportunities for the other teams.”