NORTH CANTON, OH: After falling earlier in the week to Lake Erie, the Walsh Men's Soccer team bounced back in a big was as they scored six goals to defeat their rival, the Malone Pioneers. The six goals scored were the most for the Men in a game since October 26th, 2023.
Against Lake Erie, the game was quiet until the final 12 minutes where all of the matches goals were scored. The Storm created more chances in the first half, holding a 10-7 advantage in shots and earning seven corner kicks.
Pedro Costa made two saves in the opening 45 minutes, while
Saul Tanhai put a shot on goal for Walsh. The teams went into halftime tied 0-0.
Walsh increased its pressure after the break and earned six second-half corner kicks. Evan Napier forced a save in the 64th minute, while Costa made two more saves to keep the match scoreless. Lake Erie finally broke through in the 79th minute when Cal Babiash scored to give the visitors a 1-0 lead. Walsh answered less than three minutes later when Jax Pena found the back of the net in the 82nd minute to tie the match at 1-1.
The tie did not last long. In the 88th minute, Fabio Juricko scored off an assist from Linus Oestlund to put Lake Erie back in front 2-1. Walsh was unable to find another equalizer before the final whistle. Lake Erie finished with a 19-15 advantage in total shots and a 6-4 advantage in shots on goal. The visitors also held a 9-6 edge in corner kicks. Costa played all 90 minutes and recorded four saves.
Saturday's contest was a goal fest for the Cavaliers. The Cavs scored three goals in each half and had five different players find the back of the net.
The match stayed scoreless for most of the first half before Walsh broke through in the 38th minute. Jax Pena scored off an assist from Kostas Paxos to give the Cavaliers a 1-0 lead. Less than two minutes later, Paxos scored off an assist from Shane Atkinson to double the lead. Walsh added one more before halftime when Aleksandar Miketic scored in the 45th minute off an assist from Carlos Beltran, sending the Cavaliers into the break with a 3-0 advantage.
The offense continued after halftime. Demario McCarthy scored in the 53rd minute off an assist from Pena to make it 4-0. Miketic added his second goal of the night in the 63rd minute, with Evan Napier providing the assist. Filip Samardzic finished off the scoring in the 69th minute to give Walsh the 6-0 lead.
Malone finished with an 18-17 advantage in total shots, but Walsh was much more effective with its chances, putting 10 shots on goal compared to six for Malone. Malone held a slight 7-6 advantage in corner kicks. Nick Bertolini played all 90 minutes and recorded five saves as the Cavaliers earned the shutout.
The Cavaliers will stay home for their next match on Saturday, October 24th at 3:30 p.m., when they take on Cedarville University at Larry Staudt Field.
