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Crusaders top Edison for second win in as many days

By AARON PETCHAL 4 min read

STEUBENVILLE -- The Catholic Central girls soccer team took care of business for the second straight day.

Catholic Central controlled the ball for the majority of the match against Jefferson County foe Edison, and seven different girls scored goals as the Crusaders shut out the Wildcats, 9-0, Wednesday evening on the Tony Recinella Soccer Field.

"It was a very good day for the girls," Catholic Central (7-2) head coach Jonathan Hoover said. "A lot of girls played. A lot of girls got a lot of minutes. They girls that got in, they played the way they should. I am happy with the result."

The Wildcats spent the majority of the match playing defense.

"We knew Catholic Central was going to be a tough opponent," first-year Edison (0-7) head coach Emily Waggoner said. "I told the girls they had to be prepared, they had to cover for a teammate if they were out of position and we had to pass the ball well. That is the best we have played. We are still growing. We are doing what we can.

"Going in, I told the girls not to focus on winning. I wanted them to just focus on playing better, and it showed. I think it helped just focusing on playing better. The girls did a good job.

"I hope the people watching saw it. The girls did a lot better. I am proud of them."

Maria Mitch contributed two goals and an assist to lead the way offensively for the Blue-and-Gold, while Jackie O'Karma also recorded a brace. Also, Isabella Lee tallied a goal and two assists, Sofia Walsh finished with a goal and an assist and Delaney Dankert, Jojo Loot and Jemma Clum all collected a goal. Finally, Maisy Symington and Lydia Hermann each delivered two assists, while Gigi Rook and Kenadie Balbin each produced one.

The victors used two goalies – Josey Urbanczyk and Kathryn Bolster – in the match. Neither one had to make a save. Bolster came on in the second half, and Urbanczyk ended up playing in the field.

Edison goalie Avah Reed did her best to keep the visitors in the match as she faced a barrage of shots throughout the match.

"No. 3 – Isabella Mitchell and No. 17 – Alison Kireta – are both quick and aggressive," Hoover said. "They are something they can build off."

Kireta had a good scoring opportunity late in the second half as she was able to break through the Catholic Central defense, however, her shot ended up going just wide of the post.

"Unfortunately," Waggoner said. "We have drilled them on the basics – passing and trapping. From here on out, we want to build off that. We are working on plays up top and pushing our defense forward on the other end.

"Their voices were loud. I want them to communicate more. We have been focusing on the basics."

The match was originally scheduled to be played Monday, but it was postponed to Wednesday.

Catholic Central is scheduled to take on city rival Big Red at 6 p.m. today at Harding Stadium.

"We play Steubenville tomorrow," Hoover said. "They are in a little bit of a rebuilding phase. They are young, but they do have talent. We're looking forward to having a good match."

The match will be the Crusades third in three days. Catholic Central shut out Magnolia, 9-0, Tuesday on Senior Day.

"It is tough playing three games," Hoover said. "It's tough playing three days in a row. The girls have done a good job with their conditioning. They will be ready to go."

Edison is slated to play Brooke at 7 p.m. today at home at the Edison Unified Sports Complex.

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