Bulldogs defeat Wildcats 4-1

CELINA - The Celina boys soccer team hadn't forgotten their last season loss at Bath last season.

Needless to say, the Bulldogs were looking forward to making amends when that same team came to town Thursday.

Brennen Piper and Garrett Weininger scored two goals each and the Bulldogs defeated the Wildcats 4-1 in wet conditions at the soccer stadium.

"This was one of those games where they got us up there last year at their place. So this is a game we were looking forward to and really trying to make sure that we took care of business," Celina coach Ryan Jenkins said. "The last 20 minutes of the first half were very good. The second half got a little sloppy. The ground was sloppy. But I'm pleased overall with getting that WBL win."

There wasn't much to report until the final 13 minutes of the opening half, when Piper collected a rebound off a corner and scored to put Celina ahead 1-0.

Weininger struck at the 9:17 mark, getting loose on the left side of the goal box and sneaking a shot past the Bath goalie. Piper was awarded a penalty kick after having been tackled in the box with 6:15 to play. He put the ball in the back of the net, and the Bulldogs took a 3-0 lead into intermission.

With 30:41 on the clock in the second half, Weiniger made it 4-0 with a goal off a Payton Smalley assist.

"Anytime you get that first goal, it just kind of makes you feel a little bit more relaxed," Jenkins said. "Up until that time, you're playing with a little pressure. We also played with a little bit of pressure because of the weather. We didn't know what the weather was going to do. If storms come and you get a half in, it's considered a game. I think both teams faced pressure to start strong. Winning the first half was crucial tonight."

Celina keeper Aden Gariety stopped five shots on the night - including a one-handed block to deny a goal in the first half and a two-handed stuff in the second.

The one goal Gariety allowed came with 12:52 remaining. Gariety stopped Trey Burnett's initial penalty kick attempt but Burnett collected the rebound and scored - bringing to an end Celina's three-game shutout streak.

"They never quit," Jenkins said. "Aden made some good saves down the stretch. He had that point blank (save) where the guy was right in front of him and he made the save. That's all you can ask of your keeper. He made the PK save, and it's unfortunate that they followed up. But it was a good save. He played well back there tonight."

The Bulldogs junior varsity also defeated Bath, winning 2-0.

Celina, now 4-1-0 and 2-0 in the Western Buckeye League play, returns to Soccer Stadium for a varsity-only contest with Paulding at 1 p.m. on Saturday.