Tag Archive for: Featured

CANFIELD HITS CRUISE CONTROL TO START TOURNAMENT RUN

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CANFIELD OH- Canfield’s boys’ soccer team exhibited sheer dominance in OHSAA Sectional play as they faced off against the 25th seeded Niles squad. The number one seeded Canfield was relentless in their pursuit of victory, emerging with an astounding 10-0 win.

The Canfield offense was nothing short of spectacular, with multiple players making significant contributions. Ethan Mulichak led the charge with an impressive four goals, showcasing his scoring prowess. Drew Snyder was equally impressive, netting three goals, while Ryan Dangol, Evan Hrina, and Nick Atsas each added their names to the scoresheet.

In addition to their scoring feats, Canfield displayed remarkable teamwork, with assists coming from various players. Ethan Mulichak, in particular, contributed not only with goals but also with an assist. Andrew Battaglia, Micah Fredell, and Evan Hrina also showcased their playmaking abilities with an assist each.

The victory catapulted Canfield into the sectional final, where they will face Edgewood this Saturday, October 21st, at Canfield with a 4:00 PM kickoff.

DEFENSE THAT IS BONILLA

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MINERAL RIDGE OH- Sheryaliz Bonilla, a senior libero at Mineral Ridge, is making her final high school volleyball season count. After a junior year with limited playing time, Bonilla has embraced every opportunity in her senior year to make a substantial impact, and her dedication has shone through.

Originally hailing from Puerto Rico, Sheryaliz has her family’s unwavering support from afar. Whether it’s post-game film analysis, pre-game phone calls filled with encouragement, or simply kind advice, her family’s influence is a constant presence. She plays for them, motivated by their unwavering pride in her accomplishments. Her competitive spirit, driven by a desire to surpass her aunt’s achievements, fuels her dedication on the court.

As a libero, Bonilla holds the vital role of the best back-row defender on the team. There is no ball that Sheryaliz won’t pursue, ensuring that if you’re on the opposing side playing against Mineral Ridge, you better be ready for an extended rally. Her career has been defined by outstanding defensive skills, and she continues to seek improvement daily. Notably, she identifies her serve receive as her most improved skill this season.

While liberos often don’t see significant offensive action, Bonilla has managed to score 1 kill this season. She capitalizes on her serves to apply pressure to the opposing team, boasting one of the deadliest serves on the team. Her serves combine precision with aggressiveness, making them a formidable weapon to contend with.

Looking at her impressive 2023 statistics, Sheryaliz Bonilla leads the team with 334 digs, averaging an outstanding 4.6 per match. She also leads the team with 66 aces, achieving an impressive 16.5% ace percentage. Notably, she stands out in service points, with 263 to her name, a significant lead over her closest teammate by 75 points.

As she considers her college options, Sheryaliz has her sights set on a career in pharmaceuticals. While she’s open to the possibility of playing volleyball at the collegiate level, it’s not her top priority. Her commitment to her team, her pursuit of excellence in her chosen field, and her well-rounded character make Sheryaliz Bonilla an athlete to watch and a remarkable individual both on and off the court.

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ALWAYS BET THAT BUCCIARELLI WILL SHOW UP

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CANFIELD OH- Canfield High School’s volleyball team faced a challenging transition this season, having graduated 11 seniors from the previous year. Amid this period of rebuilding and searching for new leadership, senior Isabella Bucciarelli emerged as a beacon of inspiration and teamwork on the court.

Isabella Bucciarelli exemplifies what it means to be a valuable teammate. If teamwork was a statistic, she would undoubtedly lead the area. Canfield, this season, faced more adversity than most teams due to a string of injuries. In the midst of this turmoil, Bucciarelli became the glue that held the team together until everyone returned to full health.

Throughout her career, Bucciarelli has demonstrated incredible versatility, playing multiple positions on the floor. Her adaptability has made her one of the most versatile and dependable players on the Cardinals’ roster, a testament to her commitment to the team’s success.

Let’s take a look at her impressive stats for the 2023 season, reflecting her all-around contribution to the team:

Isabella Bucciarelli has already notched up 58 kills, displaying her ability to score crucial points for Canfield.  With 106 digs (averaging 1.7 per set), she’s proven herself as a tenacious defender, always ready to dig out opponents’ powerful attacks.  Bucciarelli’s presence at the net is felt with 20 blocks, making her a formidable force in both offense and defense. Her 20 aces demonstrate her expertise in serving, which often disrupts the opponent’s rhythm. She has contributed significantly with 90 serve receives, showcasing her reliability in maintaining control during rallies.

As Canfield regains its full lineup and health, the team, led by Isabella Bucciarelli, is set to make a strong push in the postseason. Her dedication, versatility, and leadership have undoubtedly played a pivotal role in helping Canfield weather the storm of injuries and aim for success on the volleyball court in 2023.

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2 DOGS, 1 BONE; POLAND BITES BACK

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POLAND, OH- In a gridiron showdown, Poland delivered an impressive 29-6 victory over Lakeview, demonstrating their football prowess on both offense and defense and flexing to the final of 28-0.

The game kicked off with a strong performance from Poland, particularly by Cole Fulton, who powered through with a 13-yard run for a touchdown, followed by a successful kick from Jas Stefancin, giving them an early lead of 7-0 in the first quarter.

The second quarter continued to favor PSHS, with Cole Fulton’s remarkable 47-yard run and another precise kick by Stefancin, extending their lead to 14-0. The Bulldogs of PSHS didn’t stop there and added to their advantage when Andrew Todd caught a 34-yard pass from Dominic Pagano, and once again, Stefancin’s kick was accurate, resulting in a 21-0 score at halftime.

LHS made a comeback attempt in the third quarter when Tatum Finley scored a 6-yard touchdown run, finally getting on the scoreboard with a score of 21-6.

However, Poland was determined to secure the win and continued to dominate in the fourth quarter. Oliver McCully’s 19-yard touchdown pass from Dom Pagano, with Stefancin’s kick, stretched their lead to 28-0.

The game statistics showcase the performances of key players on both sides. Cole Fulton led the PSHS offense with 140 rushing yards and two touchdowns, including an impressive 47-yard run. Dom Pagano also made significant contributions with 61 passing yards and two touchdown passes.

Lakeview High School, led by Stephen Gillis with 94 passing yards, made efforts to fight back, but the PSHS defense proved to be formidable.

Cole Fulton had 13 carries for 140 yards rushing and 2 TDs.  This was Fulton’s 3rd consecutive game with over 100 yards rushing.  Also of note, QB #7 Dominic Pagano had 119 yards of total offense (61 passing and 58 rushing) and threw for 2 TD passes (34 & 19 yards).
Poland advances to 8-1, while Lakeview drops to 4-5.

BULLDOGS UNLEASH FOR SECOND WIN

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LEETONIA, OH-In a local football showdown, East Palestine emerged victorious with a convincing 29-6 win over Leetonia in a game hosted in Leetonia.

The Bulldogs of secured their lead in the first half with a pair of touchdowns. Owen Jurjavcic connected with R.J. May for a 30-yard touchdown pass, and Jesse Lipp added a 5-yard touchdown run. As the halftime whistle blew, East Palestine held a solid 15-0 advantage.

Leetonia showed resilience in the third quarter, with Tatum Finley crossing the goal line on a 6-yard touchdown run, putting them on the scoreboard with 4:32 left in the quarter.

However, East Palestine continued to build on their lead in the final quarter. Noah McKay extended their advantage with a 2-yard touchdown run, making the score 22-6 with 8:33 remaining in the game.

Owen Jurjavcic put the exclamation point on the win with a 14-yard touchdown run, sealing the victory with 5:16 left on the clock.

With this win, East Palestine improved their season record to 2-7 and their Eastern Ohio Athletic Conference record to 2-4. On the other hand, Leetonia’s season record dropped to 0-9, with a conference record of 0-6.

East Palestine will take their winning momentum to the next game, as they face off against United next Friday, while Leetonia will look to bounce back when they play against Southern.

FALCONS BACK ON TRACK AFTER WIN AGAINST BOARDMAN

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BOARDMAN, OH-Austintown Fitch got off to a strong start with a three-and-out defensive stop and then rattled off 36 straight points. Senior Dan Evans III contributed with a spectacular 79-yard punt return in the first quarter. Other scoring plays in the first half included a 2-yard run by freshman Deon’Dray Richard and two field goals of 27 and 31 yards by junior Anthony Ruggles.

Richard, who finished with two touchdowns and 115 rushing yards, stepped up after senior running back DJ Williams left the game due to injury. The Falcons’ defense played a pivotal role, limiting Boardman’s offensive opportunities, resulting in a shutout.

Boardman made several attempts at fourth-down conversions, following Evans’s punt return, but went 0-for-5 on fourth-down tries. Austintown’s defense, led by junior linebacker Rocco DiFlorio, applied pressure and held Boardman to just 87 total yards and five first downs.

Fitch applied pressure to Boardman’s quarterback, leading to a safety when he was flagged for intentional grounding in the end zone. Austintown sealed the victory with a seven-yard touchdown pass from DeShawn Vaughn Jr. to sophomore Allen Hill Jr.

Fitch will now turn the page to Week 10 to take on Warren G Harding, while Boardman will finish the campaign against Canfield.

SOUTHERN TURNS THE LIGHTS OUT ON LISBON

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SALINEVILLE, OH- In a regular-season clash with a potential league championship bid on the line, Lisbon faced off against Southern Local in an intense football showdown with Southern emerging as the dominant force and securing a 42-14 victory.

The scoring unfolded as follows: Southern started strong with a touchdown by Ryan Exline, who executed a 1-yard run, followed by a successful Yago Alonso kick, putting them in the lead 7-0. Frank Shagnot continued Southern’s offensive push with an 8-yard run, and Alonso’s kick made it 14-0. Lisbon answered back with Trevor Siefke’s 1-yard run, bolstered by Ben Weber’s successful kick, closing the gap to 14-7.

Southern, however, maintained their momentum with Ryan Exline’s 3-yard run, and Alonso’s kick increased their lead to 21-7. The game’s excitement continued as Markell Smith returned a punt for a stunning 60-yard touchdown, and Alonso’s kick further extended Southern’s lead to 28-7. Ryan Exline’s 9-yard run and Frank Shagnot’s 6-yard run, both followed by Alonso’s kicks, helped Southern Local continue to dominate, leading 42-7.

Lisbon managed to put some points on the board with a 23-yard pass from Trevor Siefke to Logan Stauffer, followed by Ben Weber’s successful kick, resulting in a final score of 42-14.

Key game statistics revealed Southern’s dominance, as they accumulated 28 first downs compared to Lisbon’s 14. Their rushing game was particularly formidable, gaining 413 yards on 47 attempts, while Lisbon managed 78 yards on 25 attempts. In the passing game, Lisbon led with 161 yards on 13 completions, while Southern Local had 14 yards on one completion.

Southern’s defense displayed its strength by securing an interception, credited to Richie Sloan. Both teams experienced fumbles, with one lost by Lisbon and none by Southern Local.

Penalties played a role in the game, with Lisbon accumulating 26 yards on 3 infractions, while Southern Local had 38 penalty yards on 4 fouls. In punting, Lisbon managed 3 punts for an average of 37 yards, while Southern Local did not punt during the game.

 

*Photo Credit: JT’s Mixed Media Moments

RYAN RUNS INTO THE BIG STAGE

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 By CJ Bako

WARREN- OH, JFK has seemed to have found a diamond in the rough with freshman Andrea Ryan. Ryan in her first year has tallied an astonishing 53 goals with 3 assists! Scoring 53 goals in a season is an incredible mark, but doing it as a freshman is unheard of. Ryan has made an immediate impact as the eagles last year finished the season 4-9, in Ryan’s first season she has led her team to a league title and a first round bye in the playoffs as JFK finishes 12-3-1.

 The eagles will play their first playoff game Wednesday 10/18 against Cardinal Mooney. Ryan states “This game will be tough, a lot of girls on Mooney I’ve played with in club soccer my whole life”. It definitely will be a good matchup and one we’ll be keeping an eye on!

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SALEM SEES THEIR SEASON REACH AN END IN ALLIANCE

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ALLIANCE OH- In a hard-fought sectional match, Salem’s girls’ soccer season reached its conclusion as they faced off against their Eastern Buckeye Conference (EBC) rival, Alliance. While the game was marked by physicality and intense competition, Salem displayed tremendous resilience throughout the encounter.

Salem’s lone goal of the match was a testament to the skill and determination of one of their standout players, Rylee Hutton As she found the back of the net, Rylie not only contributed to her team’s performance but also etched her name in the record books.

Hutton, a name synonymous with goal-scoring excellence, brought her illustrious career to a close in this match. Her 127 career goals exemplify her extraordinary talent as a striker. Impressively, 34 of those goals were tallied in the current season, underlining her consistency and scoring prowess.

What sets Rylee apart is her ability to shine in critical moments. She notched an impressive 7 game-winning goals throughout her career, highlighting her capacity to make the difference when her team needed it the most. Moreover, Rylee’s  impressive record includes an astounding 21 hat tricks, showcasing her remarkable ability to dominate matches by scoring three or more goals.

 

CARDINALS CRUISE AS TOPORCER BREAKS MORE RECORDS

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CANFIELD OH- In a thrilling tournament matchup, the Canfield girls’ soccer team showcased their prowess on the field as they emerged victorious with a resounding 8-0 win over Girard. With this impressive triumph, Canfield’s record now stands at an outstanding 17-0-1, setting the stage for an exciting postseason journey.

Canfield left no doubt in their opening tournament game, delivering an attacking masterclass. The team displayed their offensive prowess as they netted eight goals to secure a convincing victory.

Maci Toporcer  led the charge with an incredible four goals, showcasing her scoring prowess and proving to be a significant force on the field. Hanna Wahib also made a notable contribution with two well-executed goals, underlining her skill and finesse as an attacker. Lorieona and *Gabby Orr each added to the goal tally, contributing to the team’s comprehensive victory.

Canfield’s teamwork and coordination were on full display in this match, with a total of seven assists highlighting their exceptional collaboration. Vivian Nohra, Hanna Wahib (2), Carlyn McCormick, Lexi Toporcer, Maci Toporcer, and Ava Paris all played a crucial role in setting up their teammates for successful goal-scoring opportunities.

Defensively, Canfield exhibited their prowess by keeping their opponent, Girard, at bay. With a combined effort from goalkeepers Lolo Padgett and Sydney Rakers, the team secured a shutout, preventing Girard from finding the back of the net. The team’s relentless defensive effort played a pivotal role in this impressive victory.

Canfield dominated the game not only in goals but also in shots. Outshooting Girard by a considerable margin, Canfield made their presence felt with a remarkable 22 shots, while Girard was held without a single shot on goal.

In the midst of this stellar performance, Canfield had another reason to celebrate. Maci Toporcer etched her name in the record books, breaking a longstanding Canfield single-season goal record that had remained unbroken for 20 years. Maci Toporcer achieved this feat by scoring her 39th and 40th goals of the season, further solidifying her legacy as a goal-scoring sensation.