Defense stops Crusaders and Tigers score 3 in second half to secure 4-0 shutout win

By Chuck Gibson

LOVELAND, OH (October 2, 2020 – The Loveland Boys Soccer team got all it needed on a first-half goal by Junior midfielder Zach McHenry in a 4-0 win completely dominated by the Tiger defense.

LHS junior Zach McHenry’s direct kick (blur seen between cluster of Moeller players and their keeper) find the back of the net give Tigers 1-0 lead at 20:22 of first half (Chuck Gibson)

Loveland and Moeller looked evenly matched over the first 20 minutes of soccer action Thursday night at Tiger Stadium in Loveland.  Both teams were able to create chances in the offensive attack zone, but were turned away by good defensive play.  Just past midway in the half, a Moeller foul gave Loveland a direct kick in the Crusader offensive end. Tiger junior midfielder Zach McHenry launched a bending shot out of reach of the Moeller Keeper and into the back of the net giving Loveland the first goal of the game, and ultimately the only goal they would need. The clock showed 19:38 remaining in the half. Loveland defenders turned away every Moeller attack and the Tigers took a 1-0 lead into halftime.

Scoreboard shows Tigers 1-0 lead as halftime started. (Chuck Gibson)

#7 Tiger senior JOseph Stepaniak carries the ball through traffic as teammate #8 senior Alex Pomier looks on during 1st half action against Moeller (Chuck Gibson)

In the second half, the Tiger defense continued to dominate turning away every Crusader scoring chance. Moeller mounted attacks often enough to record nine shots in the game, but only two of those shots were actually on goal. Loveland Keepers combined for a two-save shutout. While the Tiger defense was outstanding all night long, the Loveland offense lit up the second half scoring three goals to cement a dominant 4-0 shutout win for the home Tigers over their rival Moeller Crusaders.

Moeller player attempts to get past a Tiger player near midfield in 1st half action Thursday, October 1, 2020 (Chuck Gibson )

The Tiger keeper punted the ball safely away following Crusader 1st half shot (Chuck Gibson)

The win improved the Tigers overall record to 8-1-2 while the non-conference match left their ECC record at 4-1-0.  The Tigers have three conference matches remaining on the fall schedule: October 6, at Anderson, October 8, home v Walnut Hills, and October 15, at Lebanon. Sectional tourney draw is scheduled for October 11

 Girls Soccer: The Lady Tigers sit at the top of the ECC currently and are waiting for the Sectional Tourney Draw set for October 11,

TIGER TRACKS:

It is Game Day for Tiger Football:

Tiger Football is back on the gridiron tonight at Kings. The Tigers are coming off their first win of the season after knocking off Holmes in Kentucky  last Friday. They face an undefeated conference foe in the Knights while the Tigers seek their 1st ECC win of the 2020 High School Football Season.  Tigers are 1-3 overall and 0-3 in ECC; Knights are 4-0 overall and 2-0 in the ECC.  Kick-off is 7 p.m. LAB will be livestreaming the game

Here’s a look at all the “Week 6” Matchups in the ECC:

  • Milford at Anderson
  • Loveland at Kings
  • Little Miami at Lebanon
  • Walnut Hills at Middletown
  • Turpin at Winton Woods

TIGER FOOTBALL PLAYOFF SCHEDULE: The Ohio High School Athletic Association released the schedule for football playoffs Thursday, October 1. For the record, their website immediately crashed making it hard to gather information on the entire format. Here is the Loveland Tiger schedule:

The Tigers are seeded #18 and will travel to Little Miami (seeded #15) next Friday, October 9, to play the Panthers in the first round game. Kick off will be at 7 p.m. LaSalle High School Lancers await the winner the following week.  

Congratulations go out to the Loveland Fall Sports Conference Champions:

  • Congrats to Boys Golf
  • Congrats to Girls Tennis
  • Congrats to Girls Cross Country

All are ECC Champions for Fall 2020!

NOTE:
Don’t forget this Saturday is LHS Tigers and Loveland Athletic Boosters Day in Downtown Loveland: Support the teams. See the athletes. Support Loveland Businesses – from 2 – 10 p.m. (Cheerleaders appearing from 4-5 p.m.) Be sure to tell the businesses LAB sent you.

Check http://www.lovelandtigers.org for more about Loveland High School Athletics

Check http://www.eccsports.com for results, standings, and more.