After a scoreless first half, the Kenston Bombers scored four goals in the second half to defeat the NDCL Lions 4-0 and win the OHSAA sectional title.
Game photos click here.
After a scoreless first half, the Kenston Bombers scored four goals in the second half to defeat the NDCL Lions 4-0 and win the OHSAA sectional title.
“The boys really put it together, especially in the second half,” Kenston Bombers Head Coach Michael Coney said. “I thought we played a great game, the whole game, but then we were able to finish in the second half. I was really proud of the boys.”
Added Grady Flynn, “The first half we came out really strong. The opportunities were there, but we didn’t really finish. But as the second half (started), we really regrouped and found our way.”
Indeed, Kenston played a very good first half, with a lot of shots on goal. However, NDCL goalie Kristian Mazur had 13 saves.
Kenston did a very good job of challenging the NDCL back line, Coney said.
“I thought their goalie played excellent in the first half,” Coney said. “I thought he played excellent the whole game.”
During halftime, the coach told his team they were playing well, and that with the amount of shots they were getting on goal, they would probably get at least one goal in the second half.
The Bombers proved him right with four second-half goals.
In fact, Kenston got on the board immediately at the start of the second half as junior Andrew DiBernardo scored with 39:28 left in the second half.
After the game, DiBernardo discussed this.
“At halftime I got really cold, so I put my long sleeves on, and then I was locked in the rest of the game,” DiBernardo said. “The ball was played a little over my head and I kind of turned, got it, and beat the guy down the line, and just placed it past the goalie.”
Senior Rex Eberhart mentioned the importance of that first DiBernardo goal.
“Scoring that goal right off kickoff, that was really good, got us really motivated to continue on,” Eberhart said.
Kenston scored again with 18:48 left in the second half as DiBernardo added another goal.
“The second goal, Rex got a good ball in the corner (and) crossed it right to the middle, and I just placed it into the back of the net,” DiBernardo said.
The Bombers then added their third goal of the game when Grady Flynn knocked the ball into the back of the net with less than nine minutes to go.
“I saw a split in the defense and I just made that run knowing that Rex was going to find me, and he did,” Flynn said, “and I was good enough to stay composed and put it in the back of the net.”
Scoring the final goal of the game for Kenston with 5:17 left was Eberhart.
“I saw Grady take the free kick right there,” Eberhart said. “They had three guys on the wall and they left me open, so I thought, like, why not. Just give me the ball and see if it goes in.
“I trust myself. I trust my shooting ability. I put in the work over all the years of practice, and it went in. It was pretty sweet; it was a good goal.”
Coney said Eberhart’s play in the sectional title game was exceptional.
“I thought Rex was outstanding today,” his coach said. “I just thought that Rex had a very signature game for him.”
With the victory, Kenston moved on to the district semifinal Oct. 26 against Painesville Harvey.
