Curtis Herzog assisted on two goals off of throw-ins to help the Delaware Hayes boys soccer team turn away visiting Jonathan Alder 5-3 in non-league action Saturday afternoon at Cornell Stadium.
The set play calls for Herzog to set up a teammate to head in a long throw-in in front of the goal … and it worked to perfection.
“We’re just starting to utilize that,” Delaware coach Joshua Diehl said. “I don’t think people know how dangerous it can be. We’ve been kind of holding that one in.”
The Pacers (6-3-1) missed on the play a few times early in the contest. They controlled the action for much of the first half, peppering shots throughout.
Alder, on the other hand, took advantage of its first scoring chance. Nathan Perkey sent a free kick toward goal from the left side that was headed in by Cameron Andow with 21:35 left in the half.
“That’s soccer,” Diehl said. “But, I was happy with our response. I think they’re starting to be mentally tougher. This didn’t seem to rattle them like in years past.”
Delaware responded well. Herzog sent another throw-in in front of goal and this time Kyle Klumpp timed it perfectly and headed it in to tie it 1-1 with 13:23 left in the half.
“We weren’t able to do as much scouting as we do with other teams,” Diehl said. “But, that’s kind of nice because we put the boys in a freer environment and saw how they solved the game on their own — without giving them answers before they saw them.”
One minute and eight seconds later, the Pacers grabbed the lead with an own-goal. Brody Kannally sent a centering pass toward Andrew Sarna that was deflected in by an Alder defender. Delaware led 2-1 at the break.
“To come back and put up a couple of quick goals really showed the character of our guys,” Diehl said.
Nate White sent a shot high that just made it inside the crossbar to give the Pacers a 3-1 lead just over nine minutes into the second half.
Samuel Milner headed in another long Herzog throw-in to push the lead to 4-1 about four minutes later and Sarna fed Kannally to round out the scoring for the Pacers.
“Not only were we able to win, but we were able to play everybody and not see much of a drop off,” Diehl said. “That’s just good momentum for us going back into OCC play.”
Androw scored all three goals for the Pioneers (7-2-2), Hunter Eudaily had an assist and Braeden McGough stopped seven shots in goal.
Meanwhile, the Pacers are in a wide open race in the OCC-Cardinal along with Hilliard Bradley (2-0-1), Dublin Jerome (2-1) and Worthington Kilbourne (2-1-1).
Delaware hosts Kilbourne in OCC-Cardinal action Tuesday night and has Jerome left in league play as well. Bradley and Jerome also play Tuesday night. The Pacers hold a victory over Kilbourne and have tied Bradley.
CLEVELAND ST. IGNATIUS 3, OLENTANGY LIBERTY 0
Stephen Milhoan scored twice and Thomas Hogan added another to help St. Ignatius past host Liberty in non-league action Saturday in Powell.
Milhoan scored off a free kick in the ninth minute and Hogan scored 15 minutes later to give the Wildcats a 2-0 edge at the break.
Milhoan scored off a rebound late to round out the scoring. Logan Dils had three saves for St. Ignatius.
Logan Jennings led the Patriots with eight saves and Clay Sakich stopped one shot in relief.
OLENTANGY 2, THOMAS WORTHINGTON 1
Ryan Renner scored and Olentangy got the benefit of an own goal to win at Thomas Worthington Saturday.
Trent Trees had six saves in goal for Olentangy and Nate Baer scored for the Cardinals.
