The West Branch boys soccer team is back in the district championship game, and this time the Warriors want to finish the job.
The third seeded Warriors (15-3-1) will meet ninth seeded Mentor Lake Catholic in the OHSAA District Championship on Saturday afternoon, October 31, at 2 p.m. at Orrville High School. West Branch reached the same stage a year ago before falling 2-1 to NDCL, and a win Saturday would deliver the district title that slipped away last fall.
The Warriors have rolled through the tournament so far, outscoring Ravenna, Brooklyn and Triway by a combined 29-1. West Branch opened with an 8-0 win over Ravenna, followed with a 12-0 victory over Brooklyn and handled Triway 9-1 to reach the district final. A demanding regular season schedule has the Warriors battle tested, and they have played some of their best soccer of the year down the stretch.
Experience has been a major factor. West Branch lost just two seniors from last year's district runner up team, and that returning core has played all season with last October's loss in mind.
Reed Martucci, the EBC Player of the Year, leads the way (11 goals, 16 assists, 38 points). His 16 assists set the program's single season record, and he also owns the career assist record (42). His brother, Dane Martucci, holds the single season scoring record and paces the team (36 goals, 10 assists, 82 points).
Cruz Leone (10 goals, nine assists, 29 points) and Mason Thomas (seven goals, 11 assists) have added plenty of production, while Michael McCartney (six goals, five assists, 17 points) and Leonel Gonzalez (eight assists) round out a deep attack.
Defensively, Austin Close, Ezra Bickle, Grady Olinger and Isaac Biery have anchored a back line that has allowed just one goal in three tournament games. Goalkeeper Lance Myers has been steady in net behind them all season.
Â
Game Time:
2 PM
Location:
Orrville High School
841 N Ella St
Orrville, OH 44667
Tickets:
Available both online and at the gate
Adults: $10
Students: $5
OHSAA Ticket Link
Live Stream:Â No link is available yet. If the game is streamed, the link will be posted here.
