ASHTABULA TOWNSHIP —
While most games have a winner and a loser, sometimes even the loser comes out looking like a winner, as was the case Tuesday afternoon when the Geneva Eagles came into Edgewood and defeated the Warriors, 1-0.
Sophomore Edgewood goalie Jillian Dick stole the show as she deflected nearly every shot the Eagles fired at her from any and all angles.
The Geneva offense found a good rhythm early and was able to get solid looks on goal, but the Eagles were unable to find the back of the net.
All told Dick had a monster game in goal, racking up an impressive 28 saves.
“I really can’t say enough about her performance today, it was just awesome,” Edgewood coach Vince Peluso said. “It’s very exciting for me, because going in to the year I honestly didn’t know what we had at that position; it was a big question mark for me coming in.
“Now looking at it, I’d put her up against any keeper I’ve seen this year. Her progressive has just been outstanding.”
Geneva coach Brian O’Dell thought Dick was impressive, as well.
“Their keeper did a great job, ton of great saves,” he said. “They had a chance at the end.”
While Dick’s saves were impressive, they were an indication of the opportunities the Eagles had offensively.
Geneva (8-4-1) had little trouble finding ways to get the ball out from their defense, into the midfield and attack Edgewood.
“We did a great job crossing,” O’Dell said.
“They are a good team,” Peluso said. “I think at times were playing with some different combinations. We have some people out but that’s not an excuse. Give them the credit, I really thought they controlled the midfield.”
Around the 15 minute mark in the second half, Geneva got close to a scoring opportunity, but Zhen-Zhen Eidens had an impressive header out from near the goalie to clear the way.
A few moments later though, Geneva put together another good offensive attack and senior forward Alyssa McIntyre finished it off with a big blast up the middle, giving her team a 1-0 lead and the eventual final score.
Edgewood (2-8) had a couple of chances near the end of the first half, but the Eagle defense prevailed, keeping it a shutout.
Geneva freshman Summer Arndt, sophomore Grace Lillie, senior Sydney Fuller and senior Morgan Nazor helped push the ball all over the field for the Eagles in the second half.
“The girls stepped it up,” O’Dell said. “They closed the gap. Most of the time they did a good job.”
Sophomores Ryan Kaydo and Sarah Stell, Eidens and junior captain Juliana Kosik helped lead the way for the Warriors with some impressive play on defense and in the midfield.
“I give a lot of credit to Ryan Kaydo, we were missing our starting right defender and she filled in and did absolutely outstanding,” Peluso said.
Edgewood had a few chances again at the end of the second half including a late open drive with just 30 seconds left to try and make a play to tie the game, but Geneva goalie Annaliesa Fistek made a save, one of her three for the day.
“You are what your record says you are and right now we’re a 2-8 team and we accept that,” Peluso said. “But, we didn’t look like a two-win team today.
“We’re about to turn the calendar over to October here and I think we’re starting to peak so it’s a good time of year for that and we’re excited about it.”
Velotta is a freelance writer from Concord Township.
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