TOLEDO – Getting off to fast starts played a key role in the Ross boys soccer team’s undefeated start to the season.
Tuesday night, however, the Little Giants found out what can happen when they get off to a slow start.
Whitmer scored the first two goals of the game to take an early lead. Though Ross’ play improved, the Little Giants could not dig themselves out of the hole they dug for themselves in a 2-1 loss.
“We didn’t show up in the beginning of the game,” coach Alex Coressel said. “We played a very poor first 20 minutes, allowed them two through-balls that they finished.”
Whitmer scored just four minutes into the game and again just past the midpoint of the first half. For the game, the Panthers managed just six shots toward the Ross goal.
Ross cut the deficit to one goal with 15 minutes remaining in the first half on a goal by Alec Slemmer with an assist from Dylan Brady.
“We kind of dominated the rest of the game, we just didn’t finish anything,” Coressel said.
The loss drops Ross’ record to 5-1 overall, 2-1 in the TRAC.
“Frustrated, to say the least,” Coressel said. “The effort was not there for at least the first 20. We had about eight guys playing hard and two or three that were letting us down on the effort standpoint.”
The Little Giants will look to bounce back Thursday at Tiffin Columbian at 5 p.m.