by Frank Aceto

Associate Sports Editor

Solon — It took 31 days and nine matches.

That’s how long it took the Walsh Jesuit boys soccer team to get its second win of the season.

Considering the Warriors’ storied history, such numbers must have been alarming for Maroon-and-Gold fans.

Fast forward to 41 days later, Walsh got back to familiar territory — the Division II regional semifinals.

Unfortunately for the Warriors, the dramatic turnaround ended there.

Walsh saw its 2009 season come to a close after losing a 2-1 decision to Mentor Lake Catholic Nov. 3 at Solon High School’s Stewart Field. The Cougars (14-4-2) got second-half goals from junior Scott Scaperato and senior Jacob Lubbe and then held their breath as the Warriors did everything they could to force overtime.

In the end, Walsh, despite its ability to deliver sharp passes all over the field, did not have enough quality shots on goal.

The Warriors finished the season with a record of 7-8-4. Such a mark may leave a sour taste in a number of people’s mouths.

Walsh, a three-time state champion, has been a powerhouse for eons.

But the Warriors did an amazing 180 after the first month of the season.

After a 1-4-4 start against a number of quality teams, Walsh slammed on the gas pedal and played its best soccer of the season the rest of the way.

In fact, prior to the game with Lake Catholic, the Warriors had outscored their first three playoff opponents, 15-1.

“We haven’t quit all season,” longtime Walsh head coach John Kissner said. “Even with all the injuries we’ve had, they never quit.”

The Warriors used their considerable height advantage to win a number of 50-50 balls in the air against the Cougars.

Walsh also kept the ball on the ground with several passes. A number of times, the Warriors fed the ball to a teammate without a single dribble.

Lake Catholic, on the other hand, used its speed and playmaking abilities to get the ball on Walsh’s end.

The Cougars also didn’t hesitate when it came to pulling the trigger.

That lack of hesitation proved golden with 22 minutes, 3 seconds left in the game.

The diminutive Scaperato, who dazzled those in attendance with an array of stop-and-go moves, had an opening down the left sideline.

From approximately 26 yards away, Scaperato ripped a bullet with his right foot. The ball found the upper left corner of the net as Walsh sophomore goalkeeper Ryan Vellequette, who made six saves, had no chance to get a hand on it.

Lake Catholic continued the assault.

The Cougars got a free kick when the Warriors were whistled for a delay-of-game penalty.

Senior Emanuel Valderama took the kick and ripped a laser that connected with the crossbar.

Vellequette tried to grab the ball after the deflection, but it wound up at Lubbe’s feet. Lubbe tapped it in from point-blank range to make it 2-0 with 14:12 left.

“We were aware of the long shots,” Kissner said. “They were good solid shots from 30, 40 yards away. Those are very difficult saves to make.”

Walsh, however, had something left in the tank.

The Warriors got the ball inside the Cougars’ penalty box and tried desperately to get on the scoreboard.

The persistence finally paid off at the 2:28 mark.

Hudson resident Matt Spittler, a junior midfielder, took advantage of a rebound to make it 2-1.

The Warriors made a charge in the closing moments, but Lake Catholic, which  outshot Walsh 8-4, eventually cleared the ball as the final seconds ticked off the clock.

“I thought we played fairly well,” Kissner said. “We possessed the ball and tried to penetrate their defense. They [the Cougars] just had so many people back there.”

The Warriors thought they had all the momentum midway through the first half.

Junior defender Ryan Krause, a Hudson resident, delivered a low line drive to sophomore forward Ross Martin from several yards away. Martin made contact with the ball in midair and delivered a rocket into the net with his right foot.

But the goal was nullified as Walsh was called offside.

“It was very close,” Kissner said. “It’s a game of inches. You need to have some breaks to win and we didn’t get any breaks [Nov. 3].”

Other Hudson residents who played for the Walsh boys socccer team were junior forward Brent Townsend and sophomores Evan Bosman (midfielder) and Jack Heupler (midfielder).

E-mail: faceto@recordpub.com

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