News for the Week of Aug. 29, 2011

Program Notes for the Week of 8/29/11:

Schedule:
Only one game this week for the Varsity/JV, but it is a huge game as Westlake comes to town in an important contest that will be a critical factor in determining a SWC champion this year.  The games will be on Wednesday 8/31 at 5:00 & 7:00 p.m.  The Freshmen team is much busier as they have 3 games scheduled this week as follows:

Monday 8/29 vs. Strongsville at Troy at 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday 8/31 at Hudson at 5:00 p.m.
Thursday 9/1 vs. Mentor at Troy at 5:00 p.m.

Game Recaps:
The Shoregals got the season started off right by going undefeated during their first week of play with a win over Berea and a tie vs. Avon.

AL at Berea on 8/24:

AL 1      Berea 0

Goals:
AL -  Jillian Strimbu

Goalies:
AL   Dana Strimbu - 3 saves

Game Summary:
Avon Lake traveled to Berea in the season opener and SWC opener for both teams and prevailed 1-0 over a much improved Berea team. Jillian Strimbu scored a goal in the first 10 minutes of the game and the Shoregal defense made it hold up for the win. Both teams had numerous chances to score over the course of the game which just narrowly missed being goals. The Shoregals had a beautiful shot by Kailey McClain just graze off the crossbar in the first half and with just minutes remaining in the game an Emily O'Connor penalty kick was stopped by the Berea goalie. Dana Strimbu was in goal for Avon Lake and recorded 3 saves for the shutout while stopping two breakaway runs by the Braves. With the victory, Head Coach Kiko Lopez becomes the winningest coach in Avon Lake girls soccer history with 48 wins. The Shoregals also upped their unbeaten streak in the SWC to 8 games.

AL vs. Avon on 8/27:

In the other game of the week, Avon came calling on Avon Lake to battle in the annual Golden Shoe game. The game pitted last year's champions of the WSC & SWC.  As would be expected from conference champions,  the teams played a hard fought game which ended in a 0-0 draw as this game has now become a very spirited rivalry. There was excellent play by both goalies as the Eagles Holly Kraus made 8 saves and the Shoregals Dana Strimbu stopped 5 shots. The best scoring chances in the match for either team came in the first half as a shot by Kailey McClain deflected off the cross bar and out of the goal. In the second half, the Shoregals Jillian Strimbu fired a direct shot at Avon goalie Holly Kraus which she was able to deflect and the rebound was controlled by Emily O'Connor who sent a shot towards a wide open Avon net which the Eagles defenders were able clear out before it crossed the goal line. Both teams remain undefeated on the season as they now sport identical 1-0-1 records.

 Soccer Site of the Week:

Actually, it will be a number of sites as we list the various places that we publish game info. and stats.

www.ossca.org - the Ohio Scholastic Soccer Coaches Assn. website. If you look under team schedules along the left side bar and then select Avon Lake, you will find a summary of our season results and stats for the girls.

http://www.studentathletecleveland.com/ - this is a website that features stories about local athletes at both the high school and college level. We get a good amount of coverage from this site.

http://www.2presspapers.northcoastnow.com/ - this is the website for the Avon Lake Press. I think just about everyone has the hardcopy delivered to their house - this is the website for the Lorain Morning Journal. You can also buy the paper to see results after each game.

www.ohiohssports.com/girlssoccer/ - this is the online sports site for the Plain Dealer. You can also buy the paper to see results after each game.

http://elyriact.smugmug.com/ - this is the photo gallery website for the Chronicle.

http://chronicle.northcoastnow.com/ - This is the website for the Elyria Chronicle-Telegraph which does a pretty good job of covering high school sports. You can also buy the paper to see results after each game.

http://www.morningjournal.com/

http://www.ohioprepzone.com/ - this is the high school sports site of the Morning Journal.

www.ohsaa.org - The Ohio High School Athletic Assn. website. Look under the Ohio Soccer Weekly tab for interesting info. related to Ohio high school soccer.

We submit box scores and game summaries for each of our games to all the local papers - Press, Lorain Journal, Elyria C-T, and Plain Dealer. We hope that the papers will print our game summaries each time.. Unfortunately, our stuff does not always get printed, but you have to realize that the papers are going to print what they think people want to read. Football will always generate the most interest followed by all the other boys sports. Girls sports are a rung or two below and we have to fight for our attention. We publicize the girls soccer program at Avon Lake in as many places as will accept us.