Medina/Lyndonville booters post key victory over Akron

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Medina/Lyndonville’s Brian Anderson (7) battles for control of the ball with Akron’s Erik Kreher during the Mustangs key win over the Tigers this afternoon at Vets Park.

Avenging a narrow 1-0 loss just last Saturday, Medina/Lyndonville posted a key 3-0 victory over Akron at Vets Park this afternoon to maintain a narrow hold on first place a top the Niagara-Orleans League boys soccer standings.

Brian Anderson and James Ianni both had a goal and an assist and Ian Smith a goal to spearhead the attack for Medina which improves to 8-2-1 with one game remaining.

“We needed this one,” said Medina/Lyndonville Coach Steve Luksch whose Mustangs maintain a slim lead over both Wilson (7-3-1), a 5-0 victor over Roy-Hart (4-6), and Newfane (6-3-1). The Mustangs visit Roy-Hart on Thursday to close out the N-O season needing at least a tie to claim at least a share of the title.

Anderson scored what proved to be the game winning goal for the Mustangs with 17 minutes to go in the first half off a throw-in by Ianni.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Medina/Lyndonville’s Max Owens heads the ball away from Akron’s Cody Bertsko.

Medina/Lyndonville then broke the contest wide open with a quick burst of two goals within 1:05 midway through the second half.

First, Ianni broke in on a fast break and scored on a line drive shot with 25:59 to go in the game as Anderson earned the assist.

Smith then scored just 1:05 later as he capitalized when the Akron goalie lost control of the ball banging in the loose ball for a 3-1 Mustangs lead.

“Our offense is coming around and we’re continuing to play good defense,” said Luksch who cited Vassillios Bitsas, Paul Kurz, Kristian Snyder, Colm Cooper and Collin Dunn on defense along with goalie Justin Morgan.

The loss drops defending champion Akron, which had captured the N-O crown six of the last seven years, to 6-4 and out of title contention.