SPORTS

Boys varsity soccer—

’Dogs lose to defending state champs in finalsThe YSHS boys varsity soccer team lost for the first time this fall last Saturday, Oct. 26, in the Division III District 2 finals to the Springfield Catholic Central Fighting Irish, 4–1.

In a fast-paced first half, the Bulldogs had several scoring opportunities early, but were unable to put the ball past a stingy Catholic Central defense. In the last 15 minutes of the first half the Irish, the defending Division III champions, found the back of the Yellow Springs net three times, taking a commanding 3–0 lead into the second half.

With a little over 24 minutes left on the clock, Central increased its lead 4–0.

With just over four minutes left in the game, Duncan Silvert-Noftle put the Bulldogs on the scoreboard with a thundering shot from 30 yards out. Rory Hotaling had the assist.

The Bulldogs went 2–1 in tournament play, for an overall recored of 14–1–1.

The team finished its regular season 12–0–1, winning the Metro Buckeye Conference with a 5–0 record. It was the first undefeated regular season for a YSHS boys soccer team.

The Bulldogs out scored their opponents 67 to 9 during the regular season, and recorded five shutouts.

Team racks up awards

Awards and honors for the team abounded as they finished their regular and tournament season. Sophomores Duncan Silvert-Noftle, Noah Woodburn, Michael Hosket and senior John Grubbs were named to the MBC All-Conference First Team. Juniors Aaron Zagory and Matt Phillips were named to the Second Team.

Silvert-Noftle and Woodburn, the top goal scorers on the team, were selected to the Miami Valley Scholastic Soccer Coaches Association (MVSSCA) North District All-Stars First Team.

Hosket and Zagory were selected to the MVSSCA’s North District Second Team. Grubbs and Phillips were named to the Third Team. In addition, Silvert-Noftle was chosen to be on the MVSSCA’s All-District Team.

For the second time in the past three years, head coach Jim Hardman was selected by his fellow coaches as the Division III North Coach of the Year and the Division III District Coach of the Year.

As a senior and an all-star, Grubbs will play for the North All-Stars in the Senior All-Star Game on Sunday, Nov. 10, at West Carrollton High School. As the Division III North Coach of the Year, Hardman with coach the North All-Stars.

With win, tie in final week of play—
FC Springs wraps up season

FC Springs finished its season with a tie and a win last week in the Miami Valley Youth Soccer Association.

They took on the Thunder United ’89 of Lebanon on Saturday, Oct. 26, and then the Troy Trojans ’89 less than a day later.

On Oct. 26, the Springs dug themselves into an early hole when they fell behind the Thunder United ’89, 0–2, after several defensive blunders.

With just 12 seconds left in the first half, the Springs’ Alexis Onfroy-Curley found Yosef Johnson open on the far post corner kick. Johnson tapped the ball into the nets, reducing the halftime deficit to 1–2.

Less than a minute into the second half, Max Buchwalder sent a booming shot from midfield in front of the Thunder goal. The goalie could not hang onto the ball and Ben Armstrong was able to shoot the ball into the net, tying the game at 2.

Three minutes later, the Thunder scored again, making it 3–2.

Undaunted, the Springs continued its attack and midway through the second half, Onfroy-Curley was tripped inside the penalty box, drawing a penalty kick. Todd Sheets took the kick for the Springs and evened the score for the night at 3–3.

Sunday, Oct. 27, the Springs travelled to Troy, where the team posted a come-from-behind win over the Troy Trojans ’89, 2–1.

The Trojans scored their only goal of the night in the first half and grabbed the early lead. In classic Springs fashion, the opposition scored first on a defensive mistake.

With less than 30 seconds on the clock until halftime, the Springs bounced back when Armstrong broke through Trojan defense and sent a cross pass to Ryan Phillips. With the goalkeeper tracking the ball across the field, Phillips sent his shot back across the grain, catching the goalie off balance, and into the back of the nets.

Thirteen minutes into the second half, Alex Turner dribbled past three Trojan defenders in the box and scored an unassisted game-winning goal.

The Springs’ defense of Buchwalder, Jake GunderKline, Onfroy-Curley, Asa Casenhiser and goalie Zeke Hardman made the one-goal lead hold up.

YSHS baseball team annual fruit fundraiser

The Yellow Springs High School baseball team’s annual fruit sale is now under way. Members of the team are currently taking orders for Florida citrus, which will be delivered in early December.

The goal this year is to sell two tons of fruit to finance a spring trip for the team. In addition, the team donates fruit to a worthy cause. Previous recipients include the Xenia Food Pantry and the St. Vincent Hotel. One local businessman donates funds for 100 pounds of fruit every year.

To make a donation or for more information, call the high school, 767-7224.

Youth basketball programs begin

Crickets program starting

Sign up for the Crickets Youth Basketball program for girls and boys in first through third grades will be held on Saturday, Nov. 2, noon–1 p.m., in the Bryan Community Center gym. There is no fee for participation, but donations will be accepted. The program will run through Dec. 21.

Program sessions will be held each week on either Friday, from 6 to 7 p.m., or Saturday, from noon to 1 p.m., at the Bryan Community Center gym. The gym is reserved for the following dates: Saturday, Nov. 2, Friday, Nov. 8, Friday, Nov. 15, Friday, Nov. 22, Saturday, Dec. 7, Friday, Dec. 13, and Saturday, Dec. 21.

The sessions will include instruction on basketball fundamentals and scrimmages using 8-foot baskets.

For more information, call Rich Miller at 767-2049, or contact him by e-mail at rmiller23@woh.rr.com.

Traveling teams sign up

Sign up for the fifth- and sixth-grade youth traveling basketball teams will be held Saturday, Nov. 9, 10 a.m.–noon, on the second floor of the Bryan Community Center.

Playing against schools from the Kenton Trace Conference, Yellow Springs will again field four teams: fifth-grade boys, fifth-grade girls, sixth-grade boys and sixth-grade girls. Fourth graders are also encouraged to try out. Each team will carry a maximum of 12 players.

Open gym play will begin the week of Nov. 11, and official practices will start Sunday, Dec. 1. The season begins the first weekend in January. Games will be played on Saturdays and Sundays through February.

For more information, call the following coaches: fifth-grade boys, Bryon Stubblefield, 767-2902; fifth-grade girls, Rich Miller, 767-2049; sixth-grade boys, Mike Haller, 767-1256; sixth-grade girls, Paul Comstock, 767-9279

Go Bulldogs!