By Cort Reynolds

ADA__The Ada High School boys soccer team lost a defensive battle 1-0 to visiting Van Buren in the North Central Ohio Soccer Association opener at War Memorial Stadium on Thursday night, September 4.

Ada fell to 2-2-1 overall and 0-1 in NCOSA play after the tough defeat.

VB improved to 3-3-1 and 1-0 in NCOSA action with the hard-fought win.

“A tough one-goal loss, decided on a free kick header,” lamented Ada head coach Aaron Acheson. “We created good chances early and defended well throughout.”

The Black Knights scored the game’s only goal with about 30 minutes remaining in half two. A free kick ball went across the 18-yard line and was headed in by VB. 

“At this level, the game often comes down to one or two key moments, and the team that capitalizes wins,” said Acheson. 

Ada had a very good chance to score at the 31:09 mark in the first half. A hard left side shot from about 15 yards out was stopped on a great diving save by the Black Knight keeper.

VB then had a shot from out front blast off the crossbar with 26:15 left in the first half. Ada keeper Jacob Rush made a fine diving save just 20 seconds later to keep it scoreless.

A VB corner kick at the 24:30 mark came up dry. Just 33 seconds later, a long side throw-in play was stymied by Rush.

With nine minutes to go in the first half, a Knight left side shot went just wide left off the near side post. Another VB corner kick was negated at the 5:10 mark.

The game remained scoreless into halftime.

“Soccer really is a game of fine margins,” Acheson noted. “Tonight showed that clearly – one free kick, one header and that was the difference. We created chances of our own in the first half but when you don’t put those away, they come back to hurt you.”

Rush made five saves in goal. Ada junior Andrew Allen fired three of the seven Bulldog shots on goal. Tim Chrissobolis, Connor McKean, Jacob Henson and Carson Conley each directed one shot on goal for Ada.

“I am proud of our defensive effort again, and we will regroup quickly and get ready for Saturday,” said the optimistic Ada coach.

The Bulldogs host Spencerville (0-3-1) Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m. in the opener of a boys/girls varsity doubleheader. That will be preceded by a 1 p.m. boys junior varsity game vs. Mohawk.