Tigers blank Mustangs in Class B state qualifier

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 2 November 2013 at 12:00 am

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Medina/Lyndonville’s Scott Barber (8) puts a shot on the Akron net from close range as goalie Austin Mcdole dives to make the stop during the Mustangs Section VI Class B state qualifier loss to the Tigers at Hamburg this afternoon.

HAMBURG – Unable to dent the net, Medina/Lyndonville dropped a 2-0 decision to Niagara-Orleans League foe Akron this afternoon in the Section VI Class B state qualifier game on Hamburg High’s turf field.

Akron, which dominated play for much of the first half getting no less than eight corner kick opportunities during that stretch, jumped out to a lightning quick 1-0 lead on a line drive goal by Randy Mayer from 30 yards out just 1:04 into the game.

Mustangs goalie Adam Hoot made several big saves, including one key diving stop, to blank the Tigers for the rest of the half.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Hayden Allis (19) heads the ball up field for the Mustangs over Tigers defender Andre Sponholz.

Battling back on the drizzly afternoon, Medina/Lyndonville controlled play for the first 20 minutes of the second half but could not find the Akron net. Steven Anderson, Anthony Pane and James Ianni all had strong shots off either free or direct kicks during that stretch but each sailed just wide.

“We came out ready to go in the second half but we just couldn’t get one,” Medina/Lyndonville coach Steve Luksch said.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Ben Howell (11) heads the ball away from the Medina/Lyndonvile goal area as Evan Milleville (7) backs up the play.

Akron finally put the game out of reach when Tristan Olszewski scored on a rebound shot with just 14 minutes to go after Hoot dove to knock the ball away after the initial shot.

“On their first goal Mayer showed the kind of player he is with a great shot and on the second one Adam stopped the first shot but they were able to get the rebound in,” Luksch said. “Our kids didn’t quit though. They played hard. They have a lot of heart.”

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Anthony Pane (13) clears the ball away from the Medina/Lyndonville goal area. The other Mustangs include Evan Milleville (7), Aaron Feltz (4), Scott Barber (8), Hayden Allis (19) and Barry Rogenmoser (14).

Medina/Lyndonville advanced to the B state qualifier by defeating Newfane 2-1 in double overtime for the Class B-1 title while Akron advanced by capturing the B-2 title with a 2-0 victory over Southwestern.

It marks the second time in three years that the Tigers have bested the Mustangs in the Class B state qualifier. The teams split a pair of regular season meetings as the Mustangs handed the champion Tigers their only N-O loss.

Medina/Lyndonville finishes the season at 13-5-2.

Photo by Cheryl Wertman – Rainy weather gear was the order of the day for the hearty crowd which attended the state qualifier contest at Hamburg.

Cross Country Section VI championships

Niagara-Orleans League champion Barker captured the Section VI Class D boys cross-country team championships Friday at Bemis Point. The Raiders were led by the 2-3-4-6 place finish of Bryce Moeller, Sergio Cruz, Hayden Hathaway and Casey Webb.

Medina’s Dalton Cerbone placed 7th and Austin Heil 18th in the boys Class C race.

Akron won the Class C girls team championship led by the 2-3 finish of Margo Henley and Eliza Papke.

Newfane’s Kelly Bochnewetch won the race.

Medina’s Holly Heil finished 16th.