Raiders open season with 4-0 win over Cougars
WAYNESBURG — After having their season-opening tournament at Hempfield postponed last weekend, the Waynesburg Central boys soccer team was itching to hit the field and start the 2016 season.
In their Section 3-AA opener against Charleroi, the Raiders wasted no time with a goal 49 seconds into the match and cruised to a 4-0 victory Tuesday night.
“It threw us off a little bit with not playing over the weekend,” Waynesburg coach Matt Blair said. “We were definitely excited to get the season under way tonight. We regrouped and had a couple of nice practices. We didn’t let our nerves get to us and played well against a really good, athletic Charleroi team tonight.”
Gavin Benson registered a header less than a minute into the game to get things going for the Raiders (1-0, 1-0). The goal was assisted by Nate Blair.
“Getting that opening goal was huge for us,” coach Blair said. “It took the pressure off of us and you could tell the kids were more relaxed with the 1-0 lead. We knew we had to use our speed and attack. Gavin is quick and plays well in space. He has a tremendous work ethic and brings a good attitude. And he is only a freshman.”
Five minutes later, Blake Brewer made it 2-0 after a breakaway goal. The marker was assisted by Benson.
Both teams had their fair share of scoring chances in the next 20 minutes, but Brewer was at it again with his second goal of the night at the 11:59 mark of the first half. Blair picked up his second assist of the match.
Waynesburg held a 3-0 lead at halftime and outshot the Cougars (1-2, 0-1) by an 8-4 margin.
Charleroi, which split their season-opening tournament over the weekend with a 2-1 loss to Carlynton and a 3-0 win over Chartiers-Houston, couldn’t get a consistent flow on offense during the match and were held in check by the Raiders.
Benson collected his second goal of the evening at the 32:23 mark of the second half. Jack Church recorded the assist for Waynesburg on the only goal in the second half.
Jonathan Sakai picked up the win in between the pipes for the Raiders with five saves.
“Keeper was a big question mark for us entering the season,” coach Blair said. “Jonathan earned the starting job and he was really solid for us in net. He used his defensemen and was active. I imagine he had some nerves as well, but he battled through those and was great in net.”
Charleroi’s goalkeeper Caleb Carson tallied seven stops in net and made several key saves to keep the Cougars in the match.
Cougars coach Jon Ducoli was unavailable for comment after the match.
Both teams will be back in action on Thursday, as Waynesburg hosts non-section foe Valley and Charleroi welcomes in Southmoreland in Section 3-AA action.
“Last year we started our section with a 9-0 loss to Ringgold,” coach Blair said. “This team has grown and developed so much since that match. To start the section off with a win is huge. It’s only one game, but we are really thrilled to start the season off 1-0.”