It’s never too early for a team to make a statement. Monday night, the Clarence Boys Soccer made a proclamation.
In a battle of the last two remaining undefeated teams in ECIC I, the Red Devils showed they are unequivocally the team to beat as they took down the Frontier Falcons, 5-0.
“We could tell the importance of what we want to look like as a team going forward,” Clarence coach Mike Silverstein said, “and why not set it when you’re facing one of the best teams in western New York? We wanted to show how we were capable of playing.”
Defenders senior Colin Jackson, juniors Clay Bowman and Aiden Steck along with sophomore Jacob Gajewski lead the way only allowing two shots on the Red Devil net.
“Big props to our defense,” senior Gehrig Lahti said. “They played fantastic today.”
Clarence took the opening kickoff and kept possession throughout the game.
Senior Nate Vesper opened the scoring in 15′ when his shot went off the Frontier goalkeeper’s hands and into the net.
Clarence took a two-goal lead when senior Tim Ellis scored on a shot from 15 yards out in the 33′.
The Red Devils got back to work early in the second half. Senior Quinn Neelon headed in a redirection off the corner kick for his team’s third goal.
Lahti and classmate Taha Ahmed each scored in the final ten minutes of the game. The pair both have five goals and an assist through five games this season.
Ahmed’s goal:
GOAL @CHSBVS Taha Ahmed with the shot just below the crossbar CLR 5-0 7 mins left 2nd@WNYAthletics #preptalklive pic.twitter.com/pfawXfQaVY — Francis Boeck (@FrancisBoeck) September 10, 2018
Clarence will head to Lancaster on Thursday for a 5 p.m. match against the Legends.
Despite Monday night’s shutout, Frontier has had strong offensive output this season. Sophomore Jonathan Czajka has been leading the way with eight goals and three assists. Seniors Alex Hiam and Jonah Kozak each have five goals and six assists.
The Falcons, who fall to 6-1 (4-1) this season, have a non-league game against North Collins on Friday at 4 p.m. and face rival Hamburg next Tuesday.
“Games like this are going to happen,” Frontier coach Rich Kozak said. “They stuck with our philosophy and they did everything they could. It’s one loss. We’re probably going to see them two more times this season and we can’t wait.”
More Boys Soccer:
Senior Gabe Mastrangelo scored his 49th career goal setting a program record in Hamburg’s 6-0 win over West Seneca West. It was Mastrangelo’s third straight game with a hattrick.
🚨🚨Program Record Broken! SR Gabe Mastrangelo scored his 49th career goal setting a career program record in our 6-0 win tonight!!! It is Gabe’s third straight game with a hat trick!!! Oswald 1G/1A, Miskell 1G/1A, Brady 2A, Heeter 1G! #preptalklive @sportsunionwny @WNYAthletics pic.twitter.com/MnuFn8iXSb — Hamburg Boys Soccer ⚽️ (@Hamburg_Soccer) September 11, 2018
IPrep junior Shamu Sumali scored both goals in the Patriots’ 2-1 win over Canisius.
Junior Joey Zachary had two goals and two assists as Lew-Port beat Riverside-Riverside Academy 9-0