Circleville 3, Logan Elm 2
Circleville got out to a quick start and made it hold up in grabbing a 3-2 win at Logan Elm Wednesday night.
“I’m really proud of our guys for how strong they came out in this game. I felt like our preparation and focus was there all week getting ready for this game,” CHS coach Evan Callihan said. “We talked early this week how this game has to mean more. Our seniors haven’t beaten Logan Elm in their careers, and we wanted to give them that opportunity this season.
“We knew it would be a dog fight and that’s the way rivalry games should be played. Coach Elswick does a great job with those guys over there and we knew even though we were up 3-0 that they weren’t going to go away easily.”
The Tigers scored their three goals in the first 20 minugtes of the game.
The goals came from Cailen Johnson (off an assist from Greyson Buckley), Kaden Paxton and Anthony Wade (off an assist from Paxton).
“I thought we attacked well early on in the first half. Senior Greyson Buckley was able to connect with freshman Cailen Johnson to get the scoring started. Cailen has been playing really well for us as a freshman and he has been stepping up and improving throughout the year,” Callihan said. “Kaden Paxton was able to connect on a shot from pretty far out that was a rocket into the back of the net. He was then able to connect with junior Anthony Wade to put our third goal in. Kaden fought through it all night and showed a lot of grit for us. He made big plays when we needed them.
“Anthony Wade continues to grow as well as a forward and he has made a profound impact for us lately.”
Logan Elm had goals from Drew Stant and Noah McManus in the game.
The first had it 3-1 at halftime and the second came in the opening 10 minutes of the second half.
The Tigers’ defense was able to keep the Braves from putting the ball in the net the rest of the way.
“Junior Zack Bell ran down a couple of their goal scoring opportunities which was huge for us in those moments. Those are winning plays that don’t always show up in the stat sheet,” Callihan said. “Goalie Will Flory was big for us, limiting their scoring chances with his awareness to come out of the goal and he always makes several saves each game that save us.
“Ashton Groff, Logan Huggins and Austin Bartchy battled all night long with our wingers Jackson Hatfield and Blain Fowler.”
The win gives the Tigers possession of the Roundtown Classic trophy – the traveling trophy that was inaugurated last year.
“I’m really happy for our guys and for our program. I know this is something our team, program and our three seniors — Greyson Buckley, Jackson Hatfield and Garret Phifer-Woods — can be proud of,” Callihan said. “Games like this are what make high school sports special. I felt when it was 3-2 that Logan Elm had the momentum but our guys never wavered and kept the fight that we needed to ultimately win the game.”
Circleville (8-2) heads to Harvest Prep on Monday while Logan Elm (4-5) heads to Lakewood Saturday.
Circleville 6, Fisher Catholic 0
Circleville grabbed a 6-0 win over visiting Fisher Catholic Wednesday night.
“We’ve had a tumultuous season with a lot of close games,” coach Jonathan Groff said. “It felt great to get back in the win column tonight and for the girls to feel some success. The girls have been battling each and every game and we have played some really good teams close. So, it was nice to get over the hump tonight.”
Makya Cockerham had two unassisted goals in the first half as the Tigers took a 2-0 lead into halftime.
“I thought we began the game with the right mindset and we were in attack mode early. It took a while to get that first goal to go but once it did, we found new energy and didn’t let up,” Groff said. “Makya Cockerham has been in and out of our line-up with injuries all season and it was great to see her really get it going tonight. Hopefully tonight will provide some offensive rhythm for the rest of the season.”
CHS added a goal early in the second when Kendra Conrad followed up a shot by Ava Justice with a goal.
Cockerham completed a hat trick off an assist from Bailey Zheng.
A corner kick midway through the second half from Josie Randle gave the Tigers a 5-0 lead and Kaelin Burchett capped the Tigers’ scoring with her second goal of the season.
Kylie McCain had four saves on the night for the Tigers.
“As a team we have been working on playing better together, ball movement, communication and having positive energy out on the field,” Groff said. “Senior Addisyn Ndayitwayeko has been huge for us from a leadership standpoint and keeping our team focused on the task at hand.”
The Tigers (3-8) return to the pitch Saturday at Fairfield Union.