FREMONT – After a disappointing result Tuesday night, the Little Giant soccer team had numerous chances yet only scored once in a loss to Oregon Clay, Ross bounced back in a major way Thursday.
But Thursday night, hosting Mansfield St. Peter’s, the Little Giants not only played a stronger all-around game, they also buried their scoring opportunities in a 6-0 rout of the Spartans.
Chris Navarro
Dylan Brady
“It was a completely different team from Tuesday night,” coach Alex Coressel said. “Much more focused, much more positive, much better energy altogether. They linked the ball together and we were in the attacking half of the field for a very large portion of the game.”
Dylan Brady scored three goals and added an assist. Chris Navarro had a goal and two assists filling in for the injured Alec Slemmer on the right forward position. Isaac Minor scored a goal and freshman Michael Harper scored the first goal of his career.
Coressel said Ross’ success on offense was attributable to an improved sense of teamwork.
“It wasn’t a bunch of individuals trying to score goals, it was the team trying to score goals, which makes a huge difference,” he said. “When you get team-play and people moving the ball well, giving each other opportunities, it makes the defense stretch out and gives you better looks at the net.”
Mason DeWalt
Cesar Flores
As strong as the offensive output was, Coressel was most impressed by the defensive effort from Cesar Flores and Mason DeWalt.
“They played the entire game on the back line and (St. Peter’s) had one very good attacker who was up front and extremely quick,” Coressel said. “They did a phenomenal job keeping him from being able to score. Cesar was all over him all night and didn’t really give him any room to breathe which made Caleb (Bennison)’s night a little easier in net. Caleb had to make a couple diving plays in the last few minutes in net to keep it zero. Those three guys had a phenomenal game in the back.”
The Little Giants are now 6-4 overall and are back in action Tuesday night at Findlay.