Early pair of goals propels Minerva to win over CHS

Minerva scored two goals in the first two minutes of a rain-soaked boys soccer game with Carrollton Sept. 30 and cruised to a 6-1 victory.

The teams met on Community Field in Carrollton for the late-season EBC match which featured two teams that sport under .500 records. It was the third win of the season for the Lions against 10 losses. 

Senior Xander Mueller put the Lions on the score board in the opening minute of the contest. Teammate Jeremiah Smith booted another goal with 1:58 off the clock as the ball deflected off the gloves of the Carrollton goalie and into the net. 

Minerva threatened to score multiple times over the next 30 minutes, but the slippery field surface caused passes for both teams to skip on the surface and go awry.

The Lions tacked another goal on just before halftime when Smith’s kick traveled into the corner of the goal with 1:27 left on the clock. 

The winners tacked on three goals in the second off the foot of Jeremiah Boone, Mueller and Cesar Calel Cos. Mueller and Smith were credited with three assists apiece. 

“We got off to a great start,” said Minerva Coach Tyler Stewart. “It was so slippery and wet from the constant rain passes were skipping too much and our touch was not good, but the boys found a way to end our losing streak. A great time to get some wins are right before tournament play.”

Minerva led in shots on goal 13-7 while Carrollton held a 7-3 edge in corner kicks.

Minerva goalkeeper Nathaniel Reed had five saves.  

Minerva v 

St. Thomas Aquinas

The Lions continued the win streak with a 10-1 win over St. Thomas Oct. 2 after leading 6-1 at halftime.

Again, the Lions struck early, putting four goals in the back of the net in the first eight minutes and 30 seconds.

Smith and Mueller both scored two goals in the win with Boone, Calel Cos, Kiptin Kiko and Zavier Wheeler each adding one goal. 

Smith provided four assist, Mueller and Michael Crissman, both two and Wheeler and Jace Wright both one. 

Reed had three saves in the goal.

The Lions led in shots 27-4 and in corner kicks 9-1

The Lions improved to 4-10 on the season. 

Minerva v. Louisville

The Lions suffered an 8-1 loss to Louisville Sept. 28. Smith scored the lone Lion goal on an assist by Mueller.  Reed had 11 saves in the goal.

The Leopards held a 24-9 advantage in shots and led 12-4 in corner kicks. 

Sandy Valley

The Cards picked up a 2-1 win over Harrison Central. The teams were tied 1-1 at halftime. Maduxx McCort scored both goals, the second on a penalty kick. 

Playing with shortened roster, the Cardinals fell to Waynedale 3-0 on the road Oct. 1.

The visitors entered the game one man down and unfortunately at the half, lost two more to injury. 

Carrollton

The Warriors trailed United Local 7-0 at halftime of an Oct. 1 game with United Local and lost by a final score of 11-0. 

St. Thomas Aquinas scored the lone goal of a Sept. 28 non-league game with Carrollton in the first half for the win.