A busy Saturday of soccer saw the Calvary Christian Spartans achieve notable victories against Grove City Christian, while local rivals West Liberty-Salem (WLS) and Benjamin Logan played to hard-fought draws.
Calvary Christian Varsity Triumphs
On September 21, the Calvary Christian varsity soccer team defeated Grove City Christian 3-1 at home. The match kicked off with a stunning long-range free kick from senior Josh Carnes, which found the back of the net. Although the Eagles equalized later in the first half, junior Nehemiah Dillon struck just before halftime, restoring the Spartans’ lead at 2-1.
In the second half, Dillon added another goal, sealing the victory for Calvary Christian and improving their record to 10-1-1. The Spartans will face Spencerville at home on Tuesday night.
Calvary Christian JV’s High-Scoring Win
Earlier in the day, the Calvary Christian junior varsity team also faced Grove City Christian, winning an exciting match 6-4. The Eagles opened the scoring with a header from a corner kick, but the Spartans quickly responded with a penalty kick goal from Makarios Kariuki. Seth Palmer then scored under pressure, putting Calvary ahead.
The second half saw Cale Buchenroth score with a header, followed by another goal from Aiden Keller. Mak K. capped off the scoring with her second goal off a corner kick. Goalkeeper Brody Prall recorded six saves in the victory, moving the JV team’s record to 4-2-2.
WLS and Benjamin Logan Battle to a Standstill
In a matchup that saw both teams compete fiercely, the West Liberty-Salem and Benjamin Logan varsity squads ended in a 1-1 tie. The Tigers initially took the lead with a goal from Wyatt Longaberger, assisted by Jake Lauck. However, the Raiders responded with a header from Ethan Miller, equalizing the match just eight minutes later.
Despite dominating the shot count, WLS could not secure a win. Ben Logan’s goalkeeper, Liam Sweeney, had an impressive performance with 11 saves, while Tucker Searles recorded three saves for the Tigers.
The JV teams also played to a 0-0 draw, with WLS goalkeeper Kyler Langhardt earning three saves.
Coach Hughes of Benjamin Logan expressed satisfaction with the draw, noting the challenges posed by a well-prepared WLS team. “We have a big game on Monday hosting Indian Lake, and that will be crucial for determining the top of the Mad River division,” he added.
The WLS varsity Tigers are set to return to action at home against Sidney Lehman on Monday at 5:30 PM.
The day’s matches highlighted the competitive spirit and skill of local soccer programs, setting the stage for an exciting season ahead.
