2 hours Ago By Travis Nelson
Avon Lake is one win away from proving “defense wins championships” to be true this postseason. The ninth-seeded Shoregals tied the school record with their 12th shutout of the season Oct. 21 in a 1-0 win over No.
12 Revere in a Division III district semifinal. Camryn Koski broke the scoreless tie in the 60th minute with a strike off an assist from Olivia Lengel. Avon Lake vies for its first district title in three years as it squares off with No.
17 Gilmour at Canal Fulton Northwest on Oct. 26. “Sometimes, I wonder how they’re doing it,” Avon Lake coach Doug Buczak said of his defense.
“We communicate well and I think that’s a big part of it. They believe in each other and we just have a really good system of play back there. We have some really special players that are just consistent.
” This was the Shoregals’ fifth straight shutout win and they haven’t given up a goal yet in October. The reigning Southwestern Conference champions didn’t give in to the gritty Minutemen’s second-half attack. Goalkeeper Catherine Fazio saved all six Revere shots on goal.
“There’s definitely a lot of pressure, but I know my defense and I knew that we could handle it,” Fazio said. “I just had a smile on my face the whole game and I knew we could do it.” It’s common to make second-half adjustments, but they usually don’t happen in the middle of the half.
The Shoregals moved Koski to the outside and were rewarded for the decision minutes later. Lengel’s aggressive runs finally paid off as she found an open Koski downfield and the junior did the rest. Revere goalkeeper Abby Thomas had a solid performance in her own right with six saves, but couldn’t get in front of Koski’s shot.
It was Avon Lake’s only shot on goal of the second half. “It felt great,” Koski said. “With everyone here, the boys team, all of our supporters, the atmosphere was great when I scored.
It felt good with everyone cheering. Changing from midfield to out wide, I play out wide in club and I’m pretty confident. When I go out there, they rely on me to get crosses and shots off and that’s what happened.
” With a one-goal lead, Avon Lake’s defense ratcheted up a notch to prevent any chances for Revere to tie it. Another stout defensive effort in the biggest game of the season up to this point was needed — and expected. “Every game, we show and we stand out,” Fazio said.
“We do lots of team bonding and we’re all there for each other on and off the field. I think that really makes a difference.” Avon Lake, 1, Revere 0.
