Avon Lake’s physical defense made it tough for North Ridgeville’s Logan Margolin to get enough space to make a shot.
On Oct. 4, with the Southwestern Conference championship on the line, the Rangers’ midfielder made the most of his one opportunity in the 69th minute for a 1-0 win.
“We knew that we were struggling at the start to attack, we couldn’t capitalize on our chances. Then, we stepped up our physically in the second half,” Margolin said. “Once, we started working as a team, the ball came across. Luckily, (Liam Hill) put it over to me and I put it away.”
It was a shot that Margolin practiced countless times in practice. He struck it from 25 yards out to hit the bottom left corner, past outstretched Avon Lake goalkeeper Clayton Tysl.
PHOTOS: North Ridgeville vs. Avon Lake boys soccer, Oct. 4, 2023
"Logan (Margolin) has a phenomenal leg," North Ridgeville Coach George Panagiotou said. "He has great range and he can get really good shots from all over the place. He was able to get space with the ball in front of the goal outside the box. That is a brilliant opportunity for him to put the ball accurately right into the corner (of the net)."
North Ridgeville sealed the conference title as it improved to 14-0 (6-0 in SWC).
"I am extremely proud and extremely thankful," Panagiotou said. "By the glory of God, we were able to do wonderful things. I think that he's had his hand on us all season long. I think that it is exciting to see what they have been able to put together."
Despite the valiant effort, Avon Lake dropped to 9-3-2 (4-1-1 in SWC).
Avon Lake had plenty of chances to score, but missed the finishing touch of forwards Jacek Gomez and Aaron Richardson, whose injuries had them sidelined to result in North Ridgeville's 10th shutout of the season.
"If you think about it, if we don't win today, we don't have a chance to win the SWC. We came into the game with the mentality that we are down, 1-0, already," Avon Lake Coach Pete Klepek said.
The Shoremen's response was to play great defense, which the Klepek thought both teams did.
"Last Wednesday (against Olmsted Falls), we didn't play our best and they had a really good game against North Olmsted," Klepek said. "We know that in the playoffs, we are going to be a physical team. … I play the top-ranked teams, so my boys are ready for this kind of game. I am excited and maybe we will see (North Ridgeville) in the playoffs.
Tysl had a double-save to open the second half, part of his four saves on the night.
