The Buckeye Valley boys soccer team picked up its second straight league win to start the season Tuesday, improving to 3-2-0 overall and 2-0-0 in MOAC action with a 2-0 win over visiting Clear Fork.
The Barons played most of the game with a one-man advantage as a Clear Fork defender was sent off the field in the 14th minute.
Still, nothing came easy.
“I warned the boys that a team playing down a man usually steps it up,” Buckeye Valley coach Eric Staley said. “They controlled the first 20 minutes of the second half, but the back four wouldn’t let them through.”
BV capitalized just five minutes after the red card. Ben Daily found the back of the net in the 19th minute for what proved to be the game-winning goal.
The Barons added a little insurance late, doubling their advantage when Aspen Schneller headed in a corner kick off the foot of Felipe Scharff in the 64th minute.
Man advantage or not, Staley liked what he saw on both scoring plays.
“Excellent combination play on Ben’s goal,” he said. “We worked on that a bit more in training last week. (The other goal featured) a perfect service from Felipe and a great finish from Aspen.”
Jack Scheeler only had to make one save to pick up his first career shutout in the Baron goal.
Next up, Buckeye Valley will take on host Delaware Christian in non-league action Saturday.
Delaware Hayes 5, Dublin Scioto 1
Five different players scored as the Pacers used a balanced offensive attack to knock off the host Irish Tuesday in Dublin.
Hayes’ Matt Joos broke the scoring seal with 16:38 left in the first half. Robbie Milner then added what ended up being the game-winning goal just over four minutes before halftime.
Second-half goal belonged to Nate White, Brody Kannally and Max Draper, who found the back of the net with 6:43 to play to smooth out the scoring summary.
Also: Olentangy 1, Upper Arlington 0; Westerville Central 2, Big Walnut 0; Orange 2, Hilliard Davidson 1.
GIRLS TENNIS
Big Walnut continued its hot start to the season, rolling past host Franklin Heights 5-0 Tuesday in Columbus.
Golden Eagle winners included Lindsay Hill (6-0, 6-0 at first singles), Lexie Kirkpatrick (6-0, 6-0 at second singles), Maria Boyer (6-1, 6-1 at third singles), the duo of Kayleigh Cummins and Lindsey Stevens (6-1, 6-0 at first doubles) and Hannah Kaiser and Ally Stevens (6-1, 6-2 at second doubles).
Big Walnut is now 6-1 overall and 3-0 in league play.
Also: Olentangy Orange 4, Olentangy 1; Dublin Jerome 5, Delaware Hayes 0.
GIRLS SOCCER
Hilliard Davidson 1, Olentangy Orange 0; Dublin Scioto 2, Delaware Hayes 1; Gahanna Lincoln 2, Olentangy Liberty 1.
VOLLEYBALL
Big Walnut 3, Canal Winchester 0.
