Ranger Boys Soccer Opens Season With 3 Shutout Wins
Lakewood Prevails in Opener
Lakewood Rangers 4 Valley Forge Patriots 0
Similar to the rain drought Northeast Ohio experienced earlier this summer, the Lakewood Varsity Boys Soccer scoring drought against Valley Forge High School had to at some point come to an end. Fortunately for the Ranger Varsity, not only did the scoring drought end, goals began being scored in buckets once it was broken.
The Ranger’s 4-0 victory over the Valley Forge Patriots was more closely contested than the score would indicate. After completing 80 minutes of a 0-0 tie in 2011, the two teams returned for this year’s season opener to compete for 50 minutes before the Rangers finally rallied. Thanks to a creative through pass generated by junior Defender Jameson Foran, senior Defender Aaron Donahoe was set free to go one-on-one with the goalie and snuck a brilliant right-footed shot into the right corner of the net for a 1-0 lead that the Rangers would never relinquish.
While Valley Forge pressed hard to avenge the game-changing score, the Ranger boys used ball possession to wear down the Patriots. The approach paid off as in the waning minutes of the 2nd half, Lakewood scored 3 additional goals to seal the victory. Goals were scored by Donahoe (assisted by freshman Midfielder Johnny Virag), senior Midfielder Kevin Mann (assisted by sophomore Defender Grant Senger) and by senior Forward Mirsad Curri (assisted by Virag).
Possession is 9/10ths of a Soccer Win
Lakewood Rangers 2 Amherst Comets 0
Ball possession is the name of the game! Well, at least it is if you are a member of the Lakewood Rangers Boys Soccer team. Through hours and hours of preseason practice, the Lakewood ball possession style of play is drilled into every member of the team. Ball possession works because it physically wears down the opponent while helping the offense to patiently pursue their scoring opportunities across an 80 minute game.
Ball possession played a pivotal role in Lakewood’s first score at the 7 minute mark of the first half. After 5 consecutive Ranger touches, junior Jameson Foran deftly snaked his way down the right side before firing the ball across the goal mouth. Junior Edvin Rosic took control of the ball near the right post and smartly dropped it off to senior Midfielder Kevin Mann who punched it home from the top of the goalie box. The Comets who tend to play a “kick and run” style of soccer certainly came to appreciate Lakewood’s approach during that possession.
While the scoring was minimal the rest of the game, ball possession and thus the control of play were clearly in favor of the Rangers. With that said, a second goal is always a welcome addition and senior Forward Tyler Sanovich scored his first-ever varsity goal thanks to a Kevin Mann assist with just one minute remaining in the game.
Fehrenbach Ties School Career Shutout Record; Rangers Snag 3rd Win
Lakewood Rangers 2 Willoughby South Rebels 0
Those that have witnessed competitive soccer know that high scores are atypical. In many ways, scoring tends to be more about the offense taking advantage of a lapse in the defense then about anything else. Scoring a goal early creates a decided advantage, but notching a two goal lead is what helps everyone breathe a little easier.
The Rangers followed the same script in Game 3 as the two previous matches as they scored early, but then went almost the entire remaining part of the game before securing the outcome with a clinching goal against the Rebels. At the 20 minute mark of the first half, senior Forward Mirsad Curri fired a shot off of a pass from senior Forward Som Basnet to put Lakewood up 1-0 against a physical Willoughby South Rebels team. However, it was not until 55 minutes later that junior Midfielder Justice White curled one into the upper left side of the goal from his attacking position on the right side. White’s open shot was made possible thanks to a beautiful drop pass freshman Midfielder John Virag was able to slide his way.
The game represented the third consecutive shutout for the Ranger varsity in the first week of play. More notably, it represented the 14th shutout of senior Goalkeeper Zach Fehrenbach’s career and tied the school’s career mark for shutouts. With 15 games remaining, Fehrenbach will be taking aim at establishing a new school record. Given his performance the first three games of the year, you have to like his chances.