The Daily Standard
Story Archive
Celina defender Crofford Black takes the ball between a pair of Ottawa-Glandorf players at the soccer stadium.
CELINA - Another night, another clean sheet for the Celina boys soccer team.
The Bulldogs (14-1-0), ranked 11th in this week's Ohio Scholastic Soccer Coaches Association Division II poll, scored twice in the first nine minutes of the match and cruised to a 6-0 victory over Ottawa-Glandorf on Monday night at the soccer stadium.
The win, their ninth straight, allows the Bulldogs to keep a share of the Western Buckeye League lead with St. Marys and Shawnee with matching 6-1 records. The Bulldogs host Defiance next Monday in the regular season home finale, then travel to Wapakoneta on Oct. 12 to wrap up the season.
The win was also their 12th shutout. Celina has allowed just four goals all season, with the last goal coming Sept. 26 in a 5-1 over Bath.
"Defensively, they've really locked in and played well," said Celina coach Ryan Jenkins. "They're communicating really well and really limiting the chances of the other team. Then their goal is to keep the shutout."
The defense made a spectator of Celina keeper Brady Steinbrunner, who earned another shutout win without having to make a save. The Titans were held without a direct shot on goal and just one corner.
"We kind of joke with Brady that we don't want him to touch it unless he has to," said Jenkins. "The defense has been able to do that this season. Brady's bailed us out a few times this season, but it's nice when we don't have to use him back there."
Celina's Jake Knapke takes a shot past the Ottawa-Glandorf keeper Grady Steffan on Monday. Knapke scored two goals.
It didn't take long for Celina to notch the go-ahead. Zach Greber took a pass from Austin Loughridge, broke inside and put the shot past Titan keeper Grady Steffan with just 95 seconds off the clock to make it 1-0. Seven minutes later, Jake Knapke punched one past the keeper off the pass from Carter Jeffries to make it 2-0.
The game began to settle in, and Celina had to wait nearly 17 minutes for Knapke to score his second goal of the night off the pass from Wyatt Chapman. Four and a half minutes later, Nelson Chapman added the fourth Celina goal off an assist from Karsyn Smalley for a 4-0 margin at halftime.
Celina midfielder Max Baumstark goes up for a header against Ottawa-Glandorf.
Max Baumstark made it 5-0 with 23:48 remaining in the match with a great pass from Caleb Stephenson. The final goal was the prettiest, as Gavin Pearson passed the ball to Austin Siefring, who headed it into the back of the net with 16 minutes to play.
"I was a little nervous tonight because the kids didn't have school (teacher in-service). Just an odd night for them having a league night on Monday," said Jenkins. "We came out strong. We really worked on trying to be efficient early tonight and setting the tone. We were able to do that."
Now comes Defiance (2-12, 1-6 WBL) to town on Senior Night next Monday. Jenkins is focused on the other set of Bulldogs before Celina wraps up the regular season with a WBL match against Wapakoneta on Oct. 12.
"Taking it one game at a time, and try and stay on top," said Jenkins.
