Kiski blanks Connellsville in boys soccer
CONNELLSVILLE – The Connellsville Falcon soccer team hosted Kiski Area Tuesday night looking for its first win in Section 1-AAA. The Cavaliers turned up the intensity in the second half, and managed to pick up a couple of goals to go home with a 2-0 win.
“We were a little laid back in the first half ,” Kiski coach Bob Wright said. “In the second half our kids settled down, used their speed and passed the ball better.”
The Falcons actually had a chance to take the early lead in the first half. At the 15:30 mark, Shane Kovack had a shot at almost point-blank range, but missed.
“Shane has scored 13 goals for us this season,” Connellsville coach Dennis Marzano said. “However, he has been playing with a bum ankle most of the season which slows him down.”
Kiski came back with three more opportunities before the half. Greg Cecchetti missed high at the 10-minute mark. At 8:40 of the first half Brad Seadler misfired on a direct kick. Then at the 6:20 mark of the first half Frank Ily missed a scoring chance off a corner kick. Neither team threatened after that to leave game scoreless at the half.
The second half saw Kiski press a little more with its offense, and become a little more physical which led to a few more shots and some eventual goals.
“We beat Connellsville 4-1 at our place, and I think my kids were a little frustrated at the half,” Wright said.
“We went after them a little harder in the second half, and had a few penalties, but the physical play gave us a few more shots on goal.”
The Cavaliers broke through at the 35:54 mark of the second half. Greg Cecchetti got the ball in front of the Falcons goal, and punched a shot just under the right arm of Connellsville goalie John McLaughlin.
“In the second half we had better movement away from the ball which opened up some passing lanes,” Wright said. “Our overall movement created problems for Connellsville’s defense which allowed us to get a couple of goals.”
The Falcons had few chances in the second half. Kovack had a shot turned away at the 24:30 mark. Kiski came back with two more shots three minutes later which were turned back by McLaughlin. At 15:08, Dehn Unterzuber missed a shot left of the goal for the Falcons. A minute later Ben Popson had his shot blocked by Cavalier goalie R.J. Bertera.
Kiski picked up its second goal at 11:57 on a shot from Brad Walker. The Cavaliers continued to press late in the second half. They had a goal wiped out at the 6:38 mark because of an offsides penalty. Kiski had one final goal wiped off with seven seconds left, because nobody touched the ball on the throw-in before it went into the net.
“Overall team speed, and injuries hurt us tonight,” Marzano said. “I had to use a different starting line-up for six or seven games in a row. It’s hard to develop any consistency. We just have too many nicks and bruises.”
Marzano pointed out his regular goalie Anthony Odroniec is out with a rib injury. His best forward, Chris Garsteck, is playing with a torn ACL.
The loss leaves the Falcons at 4-12 overall and 0-10 in the section. Kiski improves to 6-11 overall and 5-7 in the section.
The Falcons will be in action again Thursday night when they visit Penn-Trafford.