The Chagrin Falls Tigers traveled to Kenston Sept. 23 to take on the Bombers — and in a matchup of two of the top girls soccer teams in the state, expectations for a great game were high.
Match photos click here.
The Chagrin Falls Tigers traveled to Kenston Sept. 23 to take on the Bombers — and in a matchup of two of the top girls soccer teams in the state, expectations for a great game were high.
The Bombers currently ranked 11th in the state, while the Tigers, the reigning Division II State Champions, did not disappoint.
Soccer fans were treated to a hard-fought, intense game that stayed extremely close throughout. But in this pressure-packed match, the Tigers would be the ultimate winners by a final score of 2-1.
“It was a big game for both teams; it was a rivalry game,” said Chagrin Falls Tigers Head Coach Joe Ciuni. “Kenston (and) Chagrin (are) very close neighbors, obviously. It was going to be an emotional game, there was going to be a big crowd here on each side. It was really about keeping those emotions in check, and playing our game as we went on.
“I think we did. I think we showed a lot of poise.”
Added Chagrin Falls senior Elana McGinnis, “Obviously, today was a tough match against Kenston. They’re one of our rivals. Ended in a 2-1 victory, both goals on set pieces.”
As the game progressed, each team did a great job of staying focused and calm throughout, which is one of the reasons the match was so close and intense.
The Tigers got on the scoreboard first with 20:56 left in the first half.
Elana McGinnis got the first of her two goals off a corner kick from Kate Bartlett to put the Tigers up.
McGinnis’s goal was the only one of the first half as the Tigers took a 1-0 lead in to halftime.
Only midway through the second half would Emily Kratzert score for the Bombers to tie the game 1-1.
The Tigers, though, would score the final goal of the game, again on a corner kick from Bartlett with McGinnis putting the ball in net.
After the match, McGinnis discussed her two goals.
“Both of them were on a corner kick,” she said. “Kate Bartlett played a beautiful ball in, and then I scored off of them.”
“Set pieces and corner kicks are something we work on a lot,” Coach Ciuni said. “Kate Bartlett is so good at sending the service in on those. She puts it in the spot where it needs to be every time. Elana was aggressive, beat her man to the spot, and was able to put it in the net.”
With the win, Chagrin Falls moved to 3-3-3 on the season.
Leading the Tigers offensively have been McGinnis (7 goals), Bartlett (4 goals), Alex Chinnici (2 goals, 4 assists), Bella Radomsky (1 goal) and Sophia Stephenson (1 assist). Leading in goals is Izzy Pribanic, who had 28 saves going into this game.
The Bombers moved to 9-3 on the season. They have been led offensively by Paige Spicuzza (6 goals), Olivia Muzzio (6 goals) and Ramsey Smith (5 goals).
Kenston would next prepare to play Chardon Sept. 27, while the Tigers will face Bay High School Oct. 1.
