By Cort Reynolds

ADA __The Ada High School boys soccer team soundly defeated visiting Cory-Rawson 7-0 in their North Central Ohio Soccer Association finale on Thursday, October 2.

Bulldog junior Andrew Allen netted the first four Ada goals to lead the onslaught, and added one assist.

The Bulldog record improved to 9-4-2 overall with the dominating victory. Ada finished a solid 3-2 in NCOSA play to place third in the rugged league. 

Liberty-Benton clinched the conference title at 5-0 with an 8-0 shellacking of Riverdale Thursday night. Van Buren finished 4-1 and second in the standings after beating Upper Sandusky 4-1 Thursday. 

Cory-Rawson fell to 2-13 overall and ended up last in the NCOSA at 0-5 after the lopsided loss to Ada. Upper (2-3 NCOSA) came in fourth, while Riverdale finished fifth at 1-4 in the league.

“It was a great team win as we secured another victory in league play,” said Ada second-year head coach Aaron Acheson. “Coming into the season, one of our goals was to improve on last year’s 2-3 league finish – and we accomplished that.

“We had three different players score, and five of our seven goals were assisted,” Acheson said. “Great team play all-around. Defensively, we earned a clean sheet thanks to strong communication and organization in the back.”

Ada scoring ace Allen blasted a shot past the Hornet keeper to tally the game’s first goal unassisted with 34:10 left in the first half.

The C-R keeper then made a nice save on a one-bounce shot 13 minutes into the fray.

Allen scored on a give-and-go touch pass play with classmate Carson Conley when his shot hit the far back corner of the net to make it 2-0 at the 27:38 mark.

A good long ball played into the Hornet box was shot over the crossbar by Bulldog senior Joshua Thaxton.

Allen netted his third goal at the 26:01 juncture off another Conley assist.

Cory earned their first corner kick with about six minutes left in the half. Ada blunted the scoring attempt and went on a counter-attack to secure their own corner. But the Hornet keeper came up with a good save.

The busy C-R goalie made another stop with just over two minutes to go in the half.

Allen had a breakaway in the final half-minute, but his shot sailed over the crossbar. Ada led 3-0 at the half.

Allen scored again unassisted with 26:30 remaining in the mismatch to extend the margin to 4-0.

Ada sophomore Camden McKean tallied his first varsity goal to provide the fifth Bulldog score with 19:15 left from Allen. 

“He has played very well for the junior varsity team and earned a varsity jersey a few weeks ago,” noted Acheson of McKean. “It was great to see him score his first goal tonight on an assist from Andrew Allen.”

The Cory keeper made a diving save of a Rhett Ulrey shot with 2:21 left, but it deflected off the post and Bulldog Tim Chrissobolis knocked in the rebound shot to stretch the margin to 6-0. 

Chrissobolis tallied his second consecutive goal with 30 seconds left to extend the final margin to 7-0. McKean earned an assist on the score.

Junior Conley dished out assists on two Allen goals, and junior Connor McKean added one assist.

“We saw improved passing sequences and better energy on the field, two areas we have been focusing on,” Acheson summed up. “It was an exciting night as three players made their varsity debuts; freshman David Klear and sophomores Nathan Jochims and Chimdalu Onyekelu.”

Ada fired 17 shots on goal compared to just two by the Hornets. The Cory goalie came up with 10 saves. “We kept their keeper busy,” Acheson said.

Bulldog keeper Jacob Rush made two stops.

Sophomore Max Baumgartner also saw time in goal late in the contest vs. the Hornets. “He has had a strong JV season as a goalkeeper, showing good size and reliable hands,” Acheson noted.

“He also has been developing impressive punts,” the coach added. “Jacob Rush got some time at center-back as well, and it’s great to see players contributing in multiple positions.

“Overall, it was a solid performance and a step forward as a team.”

The Bulldogs play next at Lima Central Catholic (2-10-1) on Monday, October 6.

Ada finishes the regular season at former NWC foe Lincolnview (2-8-1) on Oct. 9.