Stalwart defense stands out as Eagles blank Avon Lake, 2-0

The nature of the sport of soccer is such that the importance of scoring can be magnified because there is so little of it.

But how about some love for the defense?

Last year, Avon rode a smothering defense and a hot goalie all the way to a Division II state championship, and after Wednesday’s 2-0 blanking of rival Avon Lake that all but sewed up Avon’s fifth Southwestern Conference championship since 2018, it appears the Eagles are at it once again.

Some of the names may have changed on the defense, but the style of play and the results are much the same. Junior Cole Veverka is the lone returner who started on the back line for Avon last year. But seniors Vincent Palumbo and Ghassan Mossolly and junior Andrew Mikes have all stepped up, as has first-year goalkeeper Owen Huron, who posted his sixth shutout of the season.

“They always stand out to me,” said coach Chris Dore of his team’s back line. “They are always so reliable, and they don’t get the glory enough. Our goalkeeper and our back line are the foundation of who we are. They allow the guys in front of them to kind of create and do the things that get the glory. But they’re one of the best back lines in Ohio, for sure.”

Avon Lake entered the match with an unbeaten record of 10-0-1, coming off a 0-0 tie Saturday with Twinsburg. Similarly, Avon, 7-1-2, played Brecksville-Broadview Heights to a 1-1 tie on Saturday. It was the third consecutive shutout for the Eagles against their rivals and the second consecutive year that Avon has ruined Avon Lake’s unbeaten season. Last year, the Shoremen were 11-0-2 before Avon blanked them, 2-0.

“Really, it just takes teamwork,” Veverka said of the defensive effort. “All of us pulling in the same direction defensively. And then, when we get those chances, capitalizing up top.”

Veverka not only helped his team dominate on the defensive end—Huron was never really tested on five Avon Lake shots on goal—he also opened up the scoring. For the first 25 minutes of the match, the play was relatively even, with Avon Lake putting a lot of pressure on Avon when it possessed the ball in its own end.

“We played Brecksville this past weekend, and they kind of did the same thing,” Dore said. “They know that we like to move the ball around a little bit in our end, and they did a really good job of putting pressure on us on Saturday. This time we were a little bit more prepared to see a team that is going to come at us with a lot of athleticism and a lot of pace.”

Avon showed that the best antidote for facing a team that is pressuring you in your own end is to find the nets. With 16 minutes, 20 seconds left in the first half, the Eagles earned a corner kick. London Carnie sent the ball toward a scrum of players, and Veverka rose above everyone and headed the ball past Avon Lake keeper Benjamin Mars for a 1-0 lead.

“It was just a momentum changer,” Veverka said. “Honestly, we were pinned back in our half a little bit for those first 25 minutes, and then, after that, the game really opened up.”

About 7 minutes later, Valentino Cruzado doubled the score for Avon, deflecting a centering pass from Daniel Hernandez Leon into the air, and then catching it with his right foot before it returned to the ground. The low shot slid just past Mars on his left side. Playing in just his fourth game of the season after being a late addition to the roster, Cruzado has now scored in consecutive games, as he provided Avon’s only marker against Brecksville.

“I had to wait three weeks to come back,” Cruzado said, “and I think just working my way back with the team and just building chemistry again and earning their trust got me back on the field. Coming off the Brecksville game when I scored probably one of the best goals of my life from 30 yards out, I feel like I’m just dialed in on scoring. I plan to keep it that way, and we’re probably going to go all the way back to states. That’s the plan.”

Dore certainly is happy he can have a strong scoring threat coming off the bench.

“He’s clearly a great player,” he said. “Any time you can add a dynamic player to your roster, it not only helps from a performance standpoint, but it also helps from a depth standpoint and versatility. You know, just having more guys you can rely on. He’s been a great addition.”

The second half was a relatively even affair, with both teams getting numerous corner kicks but only one coming close to being scored when an Avon player headed the ball off the right post. But Avon’s defense was up to the task, and the Eagles are now 8-1-2 heading into Saturday’s match at North Olmsted.

“I feel like I’m 27 again,” Dore said. “Just keeping that same level of want and energy to win. These young guys, I get older, but they stay the same age, and they’re just doing it for me. I could talk about myself all day, but the reality is that I’m super proud of their selfless effort. For us, the message is, you don’t have to score goals in order to make an impact or be the best player on the field. And we saw some of that effort today that helped us win.”