Scotties too much for Red Raiders
Uniontown's Ben Goodwin (13) kicks the ball away from Southmoreland's Phil Weinman (4) during their game at Bill Power Stadium Thursday.
Southmoreland's Luke Zelenik (14) is chased by Uniontown's James Rabon (19) during their game at Bill Power Stadium Thursday.
Uniontown's James Rabon (19) and Southmoreland's Luke Zeleznik (14) battle for ball take was stopped by Uniontown goal keeper Carter Waligura Thursday at Bill Power Stadium.
Southmoreland's Jacob Ozoroski (8) and Ty Kinter (21) battle Uniontown's James Rabon (19) for possession during Thursday's game at Bill Power Stadium.
Uniontown boys’ soccer coach Ed Yauger considers his group to be a team of the future. But he doesn’t mean next year, but later this season.
Yauger saw some progress from the Red Raiders in the first half of Thursday’s 9-0 Section 6-AA loss to visiting Southmoreland.
Freshman goalkeeper Carter Waligura made saves on 17 of 20 shots and several players stepped up in the first 40 minutes while the Red Raiders were under siege by the Scotties.
Southmoreland (1-0, 1-0) broke the ice 8:16 into the half when Brock Bell scored on a corner kick from Michael Garlowich.
Up to that point and for the next 15 minutes, Waligura and team mates James Rabon, Ryan Kegg, Mason Lewis, Ben Goodwin, and Logan Phillips staved off several charges by the Scotties.
Southmoreland got a pair of goals from Jacob Ozoroski six minutes apart later in the half to build a 3-0 lead.
Waligura stepped up again minutes later to stop Nick Alexander and briefly kept Ozoroski from the hat trick when the senior broke in for a close shot.
But in the second half, Southmoreland broke out with four goals in the first 10 minutes as Luke Zeleznik scored, Ozoroski got his third and fourth goals, and Caleb Garstecki scored for a 7-0 lead.
Garstecki and Kyle Rhodes scored in the game’s final 16 minutes to complete the scoring.
While Scottie goaltender Brian Shaffer only handled the ball twice, Waligura ended the game with 23 saves.
Uniontown (0-2, 0-3) had an early charge in the game’s first few minutes and a late opportunity waved off by an off sides infraction.
“This is such a new team with new players and we’re down a few strong players,” Yauger said afterwards. “We’re trying to get our numbers up and I’m confident our team will look to the future, not just next year but in the second half of the season. I look for us to play a lot better in the second half and we want to stay healthy.”
Southmoreland coach Chris Fabian said the Scotties got their first full game in after several scrimmages and a lightning-shortened game on Tuesday against South Park.
“We started a little slower than I’d hoped but I was pleased with our performance. There wasn’t a lot of fall-off with the young guys (in the second half).”
Fabian said he is looking for Ozoroski and Zeleznik to be leaders on the field. “We’re looking for (Ozoroski) and Luke to finish.”