Celina earns big win over Van Wert in WBL opener

CELINA - Once again, Celina's offense was on point from the start.

The Bulldogs scored six goals on eight shots in the first half and kept the ball consistently on Van Wert's side of the field on the way to a 7-0 victory in the Western Buckeye League opener at the soccer stadium on Thursday.

"First league game, it's great to get a win," Celina coach Ryan Jenkins said. "We had a great first half to build the lead, and in the second half we were working on some things, able to get guys some time in different spots."

Coming off wins over Newton Local and New Knoxville, Celina (3-1) got the scoring started early. Grant Duncan took a shot off a corner kick by Zach Greber and tucked it inside the right post to put the Bulldogs ahead with 36:12 remaining in the first half.

Eight and a half minutes later, Greber passed from the baseline across the mouth of the goal and Mason Jeffries redirected it into the net to double the lead. Less than a minute later, Max Baumstark intercepted an attempt to clear the ball, dribbled into the middle of the field and found Jack Knapke on the right side, who fired the ball into the top right corner to make it 3-0.

Another burst eight minutes later gave the Bulldogs more breathing room, starting when Baumstark found sophomore Karsyn Smalley at close range on the left side with 18:58 to go in the half. Knapke added his second tally of the night 53 seconds later, shooting into the left side of the net from about 15 yards out on a pass from Carter Jeffries.

Baumstark added his fourth goal of the season on a pass from Greber with 10:33 left and Celina took a 6-0 lead into halftime, having allowed just two shots on goal.

"It was just a really good team win," Jenkins said. "I couldn't even tell you who had the goals and assists. It was just one of those where, as a team, we played well. Defensively we were able to get the shutout, and it's good going forward in the league to start off with a win."

In the second half, Greber earned his second assist after he and Gavin Pearson worked the ball down the left side. Pearson made a cut into the midfield, Greber got the ball to him, and Pearson put the ball inside the right post with 32:24 to play.

Van Wert (0-4-1) managed one more shot on goal on a direct kick with 19:56 left, but keeper Brady Steinbrunner stopped it easily, and the Bulldogs kept the Cougars on their heels with 10 more shots on goal in the second half.

All told, Celina outshot Van Wert 19-3. "We've been working on finishing in practice," Jenkins said. "But it's going to get tougher here… it's nice to see guys finish the opportunities they have, because when you play against a really good team, you're not going to get as many opportunities."

The Bulldogs get a week off before taking on reigning WBL and district champion Shawnee next Thursday.

"They're the team to beat, because they've won the league the last three years," Jenkins said. "We're all kind of looking up at them until someone's able to knock them off."