A year ago, it seemed unlikely the Crestwood Red Devils boys’ soccer team would achieve ten wins in a season any time soon because of their small squad. But Crestwood continued defying expectations, defeating Chagrin Valley Conference rival Berkshire 4-2 in a crossover game in its regular season home finale last Saturday afternoon at Jack Lambert Stadium in Mantua.
“This was above and beyond what we have expected,” said Coach Eric Sway. “We had our goals. Ten wins was a longshot goal for this team this year and that included playoff wins so the fact that we have ten wins with one game to go, I am elated and proud of what these guys have accomplished.”
For seniors Charlie Schweikert, Gavin Dunfee, Thomas Fusci and Hans Seibold, it marked the first time in their varsity careers that the Red Devils (10-5-0, 2-2-0) have defeated Berkshire.
“Our seniors have never beaten Berkshire in four years of playing soccer,” said junior midfielder Kyle Shelhammer. “But we finally did and it was on win number ten so that is pretty good.”
For more game photos visit Anton Albert Photography.
In the first 25 minutes of the first half, the Badgers (7-6-2, 2-1-1) had Crestwood on its heels, dictating the pace of the game and possessions.
Berkshire’s depth appeared to give it an early advantage, having a roster of 23 players compared to only 14 for the Red Devils, but goalkeeper Schweickert kept a clean net and Crestwood stayed within striking distance.
The second-year coach acknowledged his team was hanging on by the skin of its teeth in the first 25 minutes of the half.
“They barely held on without giving up a goal,” he said. “We had a couple of bad moments and we got bailed out by Charlie and got lucky and we were able to recover from there and turned it on in the last 15 minutes.”
Crestwood broke the scoreless tie when junior midfielder Elijah Jurisch beat Badger’s freshman goalkeeper Law Holland to the ball and scored in the 27th minute of regulation, propelling the Red Devils ahead 1-0.
After Jurisch’s go-ahead goal, the Red Devils added to their lead when Shelhammer chased down a through ball in transition off an assist from Seiibold and scored in the 33rd minute of regulation, extending the Red Devils’ advantage to 2-0.
“I was thinking to myself that I had never had a chase through goal,” Shelhammer said. “Hans sent one out and I just ran after. I hit with my foot and it just went in.”The Red Devils kept the momentum in their favor when junior forward Sam Wright collected a throw-in from Jurisch and bodied the ball into the net inside the 39th minute of play, stretching Crestwood’s lead to 3-0.
According to Sway, once the Red Devils found their spark they were hungry to score more goals and build a bigger lead at the half.
“That’s what we do,” he said. “We play defensively. Our defense is our strong suit with our goalie and obviously we have Elijah and Kyle and those guys up top so we can play the game and see it out and be patient and pick and choose our shots and where they come from.”
Sway added that Crestwood knew it needed to continue that surge in at least the first ten minutes of the second half to squash any potential Badgers’ rally.
Berkshire’s offense woke up when junior forward Ryan Kessinger booted a shot into the net off an assist from senior midfielder Owen Zaumeyer from the middle of the box inside the 44th minute of regulation, trimming the Red Devils’ lead to 3-1.
Crestwood responded when Shelhammer scored his second goal, following up on a rebound off a blocked shot by Holland in the 54th minute of play, pushing the Red Devils’ lead to 4-1.
“It was a great day for Kyle,” said Sway. “I think Berkshire was focused on Elijah and that is where we have Kyle, who is a speedster and dual threat and if you leave him alone, he is going to beat guys to the ball just like Elijah. Kyle did exactly what he needed to do and had a little bit more aggression in following shots which is what we talk about all of the time.”
The Badgers added another goal on a shot by freshman forward Jaxon Zarzour in the 66th minute of regulation but Crestwood maintained its lead to reach ten wins with one game remaining in the regular season.
Following their regular season finale against Brush on Tuesday evening, the 14th seeded Red Devils will host Bristol in the Division III NE1 sectional championship on October 19th at 6:00pm.
After playing a crossover game against CVC foe Independence on Tuesday night, 16th ranked Berkshire will compete against either CVC rival Wickliffe or Grand Valley in the Division III NE1 sectional championship the same evening.
For more photos from this game, visit http://antonalbertphotography.com. Be sure to mention the Weekly Villager when booking your portrait session.
