In an early test of SWC contenders, Olmsted Falls hosted an unbeaten North Ridgeville squad on a surprisingly cool and overcast evening Aug. 30.
Despite falling behind early, the Rangers pulled away with three second-half goals to bring home a 4-1 victory against the reigning SWC champs.
Entering the 68th minute of action, Nate Bright found himself in position to get the ball into the back of the net for a go-ahead goal.
“I know Preston (Thomas) was back and running down the line,” Bright said. “I did my job and finished (in the) back post, but it wasn’t just me. It was all the work that led up to the goal. I just capitalized on the bounce off the goalie’s gloves.”
The Rangers came out of the half playing more aggressively and unselfishly, something coach George Panagiotou touched on.
“I’m not quite sure it’s the depth, it’s the guys that we have out there that are willing to play for each other out of love and commitment,” Panagiotou said. “That’s what it is. That’s exactly why we wanted to reward our keeper (Aidan Wood) at the end.
Along with Matthew Diloreto punching another score through in the 77th minute, Wood notched his first career varsity goal on a penalty kick a minute later.
GOAL North Ridgeville (VIDEO)
77'
Matthew Diloreto hits the top left corner of the net @NRHSMensSoccer 3@OFHSSoccer 1@MJournalSports pic.twitter.com/9xnDuv0xkj
— Sean Fitzgerald (@fitzonsportsbsr) August 31, 2023
“The kid kills himself!” Panagiotou exclaimed. “He’s slamming his body on the ground. He puts his face in front of 60 mph fastballs to help this team. We want to be able to let him know that he’s appreciated and these guys play for each other. That’s why we’re able to experience success.”
Extra video@NRHSMensSoccer keeper Aidan Wood cradling an absolute missile in 75th in a 2-1 ballgame at the time. Clutch save pic.twitter.com/nkzzmq8tsQ
— Sean Fitzgerald (@fitzonsportsbsr) August 31, 2023
North Ridgeville was able to exact some revenge on the Olmsted Falls squad that ended its 6-0 run to start 2022 and “send a messaage” that they were coming for the conference.
“Our first 20 minutes, we weren’t playing our game the way we normally do,” Wood said. “Then the second 20 minutes, a switch flipped and then it just kept coming and we didn’t stop.”
Asked about getting to take the shot and net his first goal on varsity, Wood couldn’t help but smile.
“I’m not gonna lie, on that (penalty kick) I knew where I was going, but I didn’t know what was going to happen,” Wood said. “I stayed composed, I did what I could at least. There’s not much to say – I scored it and didn’t know what to do.”
Wood couldn’t help but hold back a laugh, reliving a fun moment after the beating his body took against a physical Bulldogs front.
“I just ran around, saw the camera, did a little point… I’m ecstatic and I’m glad. I’ve been talking about it for a while and I’m glad I finally got it.”
Early on, Olmsted Falls’ Santo Pinzone ran loose down the left side of the field in the 11th minute, weaving around and through North Ridgeville defenders to boot the ball past Wood and the backline for the one-score advantage.
Goal Olmsted Falls (VIDEO)
11th minute score by junior Santo Pinzone@OFHSSoccer 1@NRHSMensSoccer 0@MJournalSports pic.twitter.com/cSyN3IpCwD
— Sean Fitzgerald (@fitzonsportsbsr) August 30, 2023
North Ridgeville struck back later in the opening half to even the score. Lincoln Bouman took a kick from over 15 yards outside the hashes and hit true for the Ranger equalizer and a 1-1 ballgame.
Both goalkeepers in the Bulldogs Cal Kaufman and North Ridgeville’s Aidan Wood made great saves. For as fierce as the battle was in the middle and the attacking thirds, the two keepers kept several sure shots out of the nets to limit each side to one goal apiece.
Even after the final result didn’t go the Bulldogs’ way, it was a tough-fought match on both ends of the field.
“It’s tough, you know they’re a good team,” Olmsted Falls coach Travis Bosanac said. “They have a lot of very good players and so do we. It’s one of those things where having the opportunity to play good teams is something that we love and something that we’re always looking for.”
PHOTOS: North Ridgeville vs. Olmsted Falls boys soccer, Aug. 30, 2023
