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Boardman’s chances few and far between against Jackson
By BOB ETTINGER
JACKSON TOWNSHIP
Massillon Jackson mastered the art of creating opportunities and preventing Boardman from getting those same chances as the Polar Bears cruised to a 4-1 victory in a Division I boys soccer district semifinal at Rick Neitzelt Stadium on Wednesday night.
“It’s a little bit different soccer world over here,” Boardman coach Eric Simione said. “There isn’t much back home to prepare us for a game like this. [Jackson] is a good team. They moved the ball well. It gets frustrating knowing eventually they’re going to get something and we’re getting so few opportunities to respond. It’s tough to think you can still be in the game.”
Boardman goalkeeper Egan Hare was challenged early and often by the Jackson attack. He finished with 14 saves.
“Our goalie was under attack,” Simione said. “We knew he would be. He played a great game back there. He kept it close for a little while. If we could’ve gotten [a goal] early in the second half, we could’ve changed the course of the game a bit.”
Jackson (10-7), seeded second, will play top-seeded North Canton Hoover in the district final at 7 p.m. Saturday at a site yet to be determined.
“[Hoover] is a pretty aggressive, physical team,” Jackson coach Michael Biros said. “We beat them, 3-1, the first time we played them. It’s tough to beat a good team twice. It’s going to be a big challenge.”
The Spartans (12-4-3) experienced a comeback season after enjoying just two wins a couple of seasons ago.
“There was a small senior group out there that only won two games two years ago,” Simione said. “They’ve done some marvelous things getting us back to where we’re at.”
Jackson opened scoring in the 10th minute on a goal from Evan Wilson off an assist from Ben Smith. In the 18th minute, the Polar Bears netted a goal from Simon Nelson on an assist from Wilson to take a 2-0 advantage at the break.
“It starts with keeping the ball,” Biros said. “If you continue to hold the ball, it puts the opponent on its heels most of the game. From that standpoint, we have to be patient with the attack, but get players in the attack to make sure the timing is right.”
Nelson added another goal on an assist from Smith in the eighth minute of the second half to put Jackson in front, 3-0. Ethan Corsi put the game out of reach on a penalty kick with 14:15 remaining in the game.
Trevor Boggess finally broke through for the Spartans on a free kick from about 25 yards out with 2:26 left.
Ryan Wood had just one save for the Polar Bears as the Jackson defenders limited the Boardman attack.
“It’s tough [to move the ball],” Simione said. “There’s somebody everywhere. Every time you make a pass, there’s somebody there and you didn’t even know it. You try not to let it frustrate you. You continue to play hard and hope something comes through. We just didn’t get too many opportunities.”