HS Boys Soccer: Avon Lake Knocks Off North Olmsted 5-0

On a breezy night in Avon Lake the Shoremen boys soccer team got back on track with a 5-0 win over visiting North Olmsted. With the win Avon Lake moves to 1-1-0, 1-0 in the SWC.

It was a great start for Avon Lake as 6 minutes into the game junior Drew Del Giudice cut back on his defender and unleashed a wicked left-footed blast to the top right corner to put the Shoremen up 1-0.

Later in the half junior Derek Stepak made a strong run into the box and hit a hard shot near post that the Eagles keeper did well to keep out with a reaction foot save.

North Olmsted almost equalized 20 minutes in as an Eagles player found space at the end line and played a ball that traveled across the Avon Lake box but could not be turned home.

The Shoremen were able to keep the ball on North Olmsted’s side of the field for much of the first half but lacked the cutting edge on their finishes.

The Eagles hung around and earned a free kick from about 25 yards out, but senior Dino Pietromica gathered the chance safely despite facing directly at the setting sun.

The second half was a different story as Avon Lake piled it on early and often. After applying consistent pressure the Shoremen broke through in the 47th minute off some nice interplay between seniors Edison Lemanowicz and Cam Salco, and junior Spencer Chippi.

Lemanowicz froze his defender and played a nifty ball for Salco who drove to the near post before laying the ball off to Chippi who put it in from the top of the six yard box to make it 2-0.

Then in the 48th minute the Shoremen struck again off a beautiful diagonal ball from senior Joey Caputo that drifted back post for Del Giudice to place a looping header in for his second of the game and a 3-0 lead.

About 7 minutes later Lemanowicz made it 4-0 after Salco found him with a through ball to the right wing and he buried his shot to the near post.

The Shoremen scored their final goal of the night in the 59th minute after a Del Giudice pass found Lemanowicz streaking to the left and he pinged a beautiful left footed shot across to the right side netting.

Avon Lake was able to see the game out with little trouble to maintain the 5-0 margin over the Eagles and earn their first victory of the year.

“I’m very pleased with our performance tonight, especially the second half,” said varsity coach Pete Klepek. “Nice showing in our home opener and so important to start with an SWC win.”

JV was also victorious, 3-0 on goals by sophomores Ethan Catlin, Logan Allemeier and Tyler Johnson.

The Shoremen are back in action on Saturday against rivals Avon, who won their conference opener 4-0 over Olmsted Falls. JV plays at 5 and varsity at 7pm at Avon Lake Memorial Stadium.