The 12th ranked Kenston Bombers girls soccer team traveled Sept. 15 to Shaker Heights to face the Red Raiders at Russell H. Rupp Field.
Game photos click here.
The 12th ranked Kenston Bombers girls soccer team traveled Sept. 15 to Shaker Heights to face the Red Raiders at Russell H. Rupp Field.
Throughout the game, both teams played great defense, making it extremely difficult for the opposing team to get good shots on goal. The Bombers, however, prevailed as they took advantage of key opportunities during the 43rd and 72nd minutes to defeat the Red Raiders, 2-0.
“Today’s game was definitely a physical one,” said Bombers senior captain Ramsey Smith. “We went in thinking we were going to win, and we ended up getting the W.”
The first half of the match was a defensive battle, with both teams moving the ball quickly up and down the field looking for scoring opportunities.
“In the first half, neither team had many chances in the attacking third,” said Kenston Head Coach Jonathan Kostoff. “The teams traded off possession, but nothing to show for it.”
The Bombers made tactical adjustments during halftime that helped provide opportunities to score, Kostoff noted. They quickly capitalized on these strategic modifications to take the lead early in the second half, on a Smith goal during the 43rd minute.
Smith was assisted on the goal by Paige Spicuzza.
“The first one (goal), I was just lucky to be right there,” said Smith, “and Paige Spicuzza had a great throw to me.”
Smith scored her second goal of the match in the 72nd minute on a cross from Olivia Muzzio.
“Olivia Muzzio made a wonderful run down the left sideline and crossed it to Ramsey Smith, who tapped it in for the goal,” said Kostoff.
In postgame comments, Kostoff noted the excellent play of his Bombers’ defense to earn the shutout victory.
“The Bombers defense stood tall behind terrific play, especially by Caroline Neimes, Jayme O’Neill and Malice Chalmers,” said Kostoff.
With victory over the Red Raiders, the Bombers move to 7-2 on the season.
Through the first nine games of the 2022 season, 10 Bombers players have accumulated points. Points leaders include Olivia Muzzio (14 points – 6 goals, 2 assists), Ramsey Smith (13 points – 4 goals, 5 assists), Paige Spicuzza (11 points – 3 goals, 5 assists), Emily Kratzert (6 points – 3 goals), Caroline Neimes (4 points – 2 goals), Jayme O’Neill (4 points – 2 goals), Reese Cochran (4 points – 1 goal, 2 assists), Sophia Cartellonne (3 points – 1 goal, 2 assists), Bria Devlin (2 points – 1 goal) and Marin Walz (1 point – 1 assist).
On the defensive side of the ball, goalies Malise Chalmers and Grace Gettig have combined for 35 saves on the season.
Kenston has a busy week ahead. The team faces Hathaway Brown Sept. 20 and Streetsboro Sept. 22. Then, on Sept. 24, the Bombers face the reigning Division II State Champions, the Chagrin Falls Tigers. Kenston will be looking to avenge a thrilling double-overtime defeat to the Tigers in the OHSAA Regional Semi-Final game last November.
