Ohio D3 clash features Cincinnati players to watch
Last Saturday’s environment had all the makeup of a summer start to Summit Country Day’s opening day. Tents, tables, and tailgates for the SCD “Booster Bash” were aplenty. The warm temperatures and excitement of this soccer showdown pointed towards all…
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Continue ReadingLast Saturday’s environment had all the makeup of a summer start to Summit Country Day’s opening day. Tents, tables, and tailgates for the SCD “Booster Bash” were aplenty. The warm temperatures and excitement of this soccer showdown pointed towards all things new, summer and August.
But the summer fluff ended there.
Defending OHSAA Division 3 state champion Wyoming took on traditional power, yet a somewhat upstart SCD on Saturday. SCD claimed a 2-0 result over the Cowboys in an August game that had both a November feel and possible November implications to it.
Junior Izzy Rawlings got on the end of a long clearance that was misplayed and able to bounce, catching Wyoining’s goalkeeper in no man’s land, and lobbed into an open goal late in the first half. SCD added a late insurance goal when Wyoming had committed numbers forward in an attempt to equalize.
Both teams traded junctures of possession and direct soccer, with SCD enjoying a edge in overall possession. Wyoming was able to pin SCD in for junctures thru dangerous restart service and a deadly long throw in option. To say that each group is physically capable, athletic and competitive is a an dunderstatlemt. The ability of each team, coupled with early season nerves, a solid saturday crowd and two well coached, culture rich programs lead to a foul filled and spirited affair, with all the makings of a November showdown come tournament time.
Attackers Noah Medeyinto and Levi Gause were active and busy for Wyoming who likely would say they probably would have liked to have had the ball and played a little more soccer/better. Gause in particular showed moments of technical brilliance in tight spaces against a congested opponents midfield and could be one of the city’s emerging young players.
For the Knights, freshman Marcel Hugert did well on the ball while Daid Ray and Rawlings threatened in behind with hard running and aggressive pressing onto lofted balls. 6-foot-4 senior Patrick McHugh was a midfield anchor both on the floor and in the air, while perhaps Summit’s biggest asset is their backline, anchored by 6-4 junior and Ivy-level student Tom De Roussel.
If there was any doubt which teams think are the two top dogs in Cincinnati OHSAA Division 3, these two teams made that clear on Saturday. Look for the two teams to meet again down the road, with winter hats and parkas taking the place of tents and tank tops.
Wouldn’t be at all surprised if “see you in November” was part of the postgame handshake line dialogue.