Pulling away

CELINA - New Knoxville's boys soccer team wasted little time answering Celina's first goal of the match.

And the Bulldogs did likewise in putting the match away.

Celina scored three goals in a span of under eight minutes to turn a 2-1 lead into a 4-1 lead at halftime en route to picking up the second straight win of the season via a 6-1 decision on Saturday afternoon at the soccer stadium.

"It's nice to get two wins this week after a tough opening loss," said Celina coach Ryan Jenkins. "Guys worked hard this week, getting back to school and getting back into a routine. Nice to finish the week off with a solid win."

Celina, which shut out the Rangers 9-0 last season in Auglaize County, scored with just under 10 minutes gone in the first half when Max Baumstark put one past Ranger keeper Preston Rutschilling with 30:25 remaining in the half. It took just a minute for New Knoxville to respond as Celina keeper Brady Steinbrunner was unable to hold on to a shot and Luke Stachler knocked the ball into the back of the net with 29:21 remaining to tie the game. It was the first goal New Knoxville had scored against Celina since 2018.

"We told them there was plenty of game left," said Jenkins. "They bounced back and were able to knock some in to end the half."

Celina needed just over six minutes to respond as Jack Eichler knocked in a rebound shot at the 23:10 mark to give Celina the lead back. Two more goals came shortly after as Baumstark tallied his second goal of the day and Jay Knapke booted in a goal to make it 4-1.

Baumstark earned his hat trick with 29:37 remaining in the match to make it 5-1 Celina. Austin Loughridge then put one into the back of the net with 23:08 to play to round out the scoring.

The Bulldogs outshot the Rangers 18-4. Rutschilling made eight saves before getting relieved by Parker Jones - with Rutschilling donning a white jersey to play the field - late in the match. Steinbrunner needed to make just three saves on the day.

Jenkins was complimentary of the Rangers and how hard they played.

"New Knoxville was much improved. We knew that going into the game," said Jenkins. "They played hard. It was a good match for us. Wish them the best of luck the rest of the year."

Celina (2-1-0) returns to action Thursday for the Western Buckeye League opener at home with Van Wert. New Knoxville (0-2-1) hosts Lima Central Catholic on Tuesday in a Western Ohio Soccer League match.