CUYAHOGA FALLS: Walsh Jesuit always expects the other team’s best shot, and that’s what the Warriors got from visiting Jackson Saturday.
A goal on a header by junior Aubrey Bechter just after halftime stood up as Walsh Jesuit earned a 1-0 nonleague victory over the Polar Bears.
The Warriors (8-0) own nine state championships, including the last four in a row. But a determined Jackson (6-3) squad stayed in it until the end.
An influx of youth is attempting to replace a Warriors senior class that went 84-0-7. And coach Dino McIntyre vented frustration about wasted scoring opportunities during much of Saturday’s game.
“We created like 15 good chances,” McIntyre said. “It’s just we kick it right to the goalie or we don’t put them away. We had a chance first two minutes and hit it right at the goalie, one on one.”
Jackson struggled to get any chances, though. Walsh Jesuit had a 24-4 advantage in shots on goal and didn’t allow the Polar Bears any in the second half. But the visitors did play aggressive, physical defense all day.
“We have a bunch of freshmen that have been thrown into the fire because we graduated 11 last year — seven of them who played all the time and started — so we have a lot of holes to fill,” said McIntyre.”
And the younger Warriors must adjust to the extra effort foes typically bring, McIntyre said.
“They haven’t dealt with that yet,” he said. “Everybody runs a little bit faster and jumps a little bit higher.”
Jackson junior goalkeeper Chloe Falconer stopped 21 shots, 13 in the first half. But Walsh Jesuit found the net less than two minutes into the second half when senior Sofia Rossi sent a pass into the box off a free kick and a leaping Bechter headed it past Falconer.
“It was really hard,” Bechter said. “Our team really got it done. We were able to get it finished. I’m just lucky I was able to get the header and Sofia had that amazing assist,” said Bechter. “That cross was beautiful.”
Walsh Jesuit also beat Lakota East 1-0 on a goal by Rossi Sept. 3.
“This was our second really close game,” said Bechter. “We’re going to have a lot of these.”
Rossi said she had confidence Bechter would finish the scoring play.
“I saw there were a bunch of girls inside the box, Aubrey Bechter being one of them,” said Rossi. “So I chipped it in the air and Aubrey does her thing and gets to it. She’s always one to get to it.”
A Wake Forest recruit, Rossi has earned all-state and All-America honors. And she now accepts a leadership role.
“A lot of the younger girls are starting to step up now which is really nice to see,” said Rossi. “And I’ll think they’ll only continue to do so, hopefully.”
Walsh freshman goalkeeper Kiera Sarka made four saves to earn the shutout.
Jackson junior Brooke Parsons, who has 12 goals this year, found herself surrounded by Walsh defenders all day.
“She usually had to go against three,” Jackson coach Frank Gagliardi said. “So that’s a lot to ask of any girl and she’s done a great job for us.”
Gagliardi said his team showed “a little nervousness” at the start but fought through it.
“I appreciate the effort by the girls,” he said. “They were up and down the field covering for each other, good location. We need to be a little more composed, continue to build our ideas and our fitness level.”