Beachwood’s (1-1-0) girls' soccer team kept control, out-shooting Harvey (0-1-0) 17-4 en route to a 10-1 victory in their home opener against their CVC rival. The Lady Bison were led by a pair of hat tricks from junior Julia Winkeler (3) and freshman Lexi Stovsky* (4).
“What we noticed right away was how high they played on the back,” Beachwood head coach Art Skupniewicz said. “We tried to capitalize on that with some quick balls over the top to our forwards.”
The Bison utilized those breakaways en route to a 4-0 lead, the first coming from Stovsky* who took a one-on-one advantage with Harvey’s freshman keeper Meghan Hamilton and crossed her for a wide-open shot.
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The Bison’s second goal came about 10 minutes later when Stovsky* pressured Hamilton into an ill-advised clear and freshman Jamie Rotsky connected on a beautiful kick from about 20 yards out into the opposite side of the goal.
Beachwood extended their lead with goals by freshman Hannah Firstone and another by Rotsky, who was set up by a great pass from Firstone on the opposite side of the box.
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“We were bunching up and not playing the players,” Harvey head coach Richard Skidmore said. “That got us out of position and allowed them to get through.”
Harvey senior Ana Medina scored early in the second half, but the Lady Bison answered less than a minute later set up by a midfield kick from junior Sydney Ross, who sent the ball all the way into the box and Stovsky* tapped it in for her second goal. Winkeler and Stovsky* added the remaining five goals.
Beachwood’s win came at a potential cost as Stovsky* left the game after her fourth goal. If she misses any time it would be yet another injury to an already-depleted squad that’s without three key players.
“We’re going to keep an eye on [Stovsky*],” Skupniewicz said. “We don’t think it’s anything [serious] right now. We think it’s just a banged-up calf at the moment. I’m going to rest her tomorrow and over the weekend.”
Beachwood has a road date with Trinity on Monday. They return home next Thursday against CVC foe Kirtland. Both games are scheduled for 5 p.m.
*Editor's Note: The original version of this story spelled "Stovsky" incorrectly.