ASHLAND — The harvest moon was out and the Ashland High School boy soccer team was reaping four year’s worth of work – with a 4-0 scoreline on Tuesday night.
It was the last home game of the regular season and Senior Night at Community Soccer Park against Columbus Centennial.
Owen “Appalachian Trail” Sharick got the Arrows going early in the first half when he converted a penalty kick after being fouled in the box. Sharick was asked after the match if he took the PK because he was the one fouled or because he was the top converter from 12 yards out.
“I earned that through (Former assistant coach Adam) Fox’s shooting school and PKs in practice,” Sharick said with a chuckle. “I showed out, was the last one in every pk [competition].”
One of the main reasons Ashland was able to control the first half was its defensive alignment. Anchored by senior Braxton Hunt, who has truly been a student of the game – the mental side of soccer is so unappreciated, but not by Hunt.
“I think we let up maybe one real shot tonight; it’s the fourth or fifth game in a row we’ve done that. Looking to keep it up, to keep our solid defense and let our strikers do the work and win us games,” Hunt said.
Outside back senior Cavan Davis gave the Centennials wings no clean path for through balls and he was constantly aware of long balls and that annoying little gap between the mids and backs.
Senior Alex Jordan and junior Braydon Martin locked down the outsides as well, and no two players could illustrate personal and player growth more than them. Martin transitioned into a dominant defensive force and never complained about trading glory and hat tricks for what the team needed and where he could be the most impactful.
Jordan was naturally commanding the line and when he got stuck in on a 50/50 ball, the world shook and the next player avoided the collision on the next play.
In front of the fullbacks sat Trace Myers, who was a wickedly deceptive dribbler on the ball and continued to look down the line and to the feet of the mids. Coaches love a stopper that can become a number six that stays home, but has the skill to lead a quick counter after winning the ball on the top of the box.
Rounding out the defensive unit that pitched a shutout was senior keeper Bryce Thompson. Anyone that’s ever been within two miles of the field on gameday probably has heard the direction and field vision voice of Thompson.
“They are resilient. These boys battled all year long–formation changes, position changes, but they love being on the field and enjoy playing soccer with each other,” coach Dustin Hosler said.
Not long after the first goal, Freshman phenom and deadball taker Sebastian Roberts sent in a corner ball and there was Sharick with the finish, putting the Arrows up 2-0.
After halftime, there weren’t a lot of adjustments to be made – find the feet of senior Roman Ramirez or the workhorse junior Luke Driscoll and let them play outside or down the flank.
“When we got the ball we were able to play our outside backs, that forced their outside wingers and midfielders to push all the way out wide, which leaves room for Trace to step to the mid,” Ramirez said.
Not surprisingly, that similar run of play resulted in Ramirez finding junior Ayden Behrendsen for the third goal.
Speed and pure determination highlight Behrendsen’s game, making him a nightmare to mark but an absolute joy to coach, as the hard work always came with a smile.
There are many examples like that within this group and that is what has made all the effort assistant varsity coach Jeremy Lane has put in, worth it.
“It seems like it’s been a lot work, but it’s great seeing their strides, what they’ve accomplished over four years,” Lane said, who’s emotional investment was transparent with every senior he hugged during the ceremony.
Outside mid Jayson Schneider transferred from out of state but instantly joined the AHS boys soccer legacy with a goal against arch-rival Lexington and consistent play throughout the campaign, which showed again on Tuesday night.
Sharick scored another PK to make it four-nil, but Centennial didn’t surrender.
Mass pressure continued down Ashland’s right flank as Centennial’s Kossai Djahra was a one-man bulldozer.
“I just had enough, man. Whole game, I just wasn’t getting the ball, changed my position, changed things up a little bit. It wasn’t really the defense, it was just me changing my mindset a little bit,” Djahra said.
Djahara was an excellent test for the Arrows as the tournament has been drawn and the Toledo district is absolutely swarming with talent.
“(Fans) should expect an all-out effort for 80 minutes,” Hosler said. “We’re hosting our first-round game against Fremont Ross.
“We want to win that game, we want a shot at Southview, we’re going to go up there and we’re going to give them a game.”
In order for that to happen, Ashland has to continue to get contributions from non-starters in Brady Anderson, Bryce Bartholomew, Abe Parillo, Justin Pancake, Jack Parsons, Grant Koleno and Kaden Howman.
Maybe it’s pushing the focus in practice before the tourney game to elevate the whole squad, maybe it’s non-stop pressure for the time they are in that will give that small little edge that makes all the difference in playoff soccer.
Tournament focus continues to be front and center for the squad.
“We want a shot at a district title. Our tournament season, we want it to start at district,” Hosler said.
“We’re going to win that first one, we’re going to go get Southview and go after a district final,” Lane said.
“I’m looking at district champs. I believe with this team, we can make it and be district champs,” Sharick said.
Tournament eight seed Ashland hosts ninth seeded Fremont Ross on Oct. 22 at noon at Community Soccer Stadium.
