September 4, 2003

SPORTS

Silvert-Noftle leads boys soccer

YSHS forward Duncan Silvert-Noftle scored or assisted on nine goals in one game as YSHS defeated Washington Court House, 13–0, on Saturday.

According to the Ohio High School Athletic Association, Silvert-Noftle leads all Division III players in Ohio in goals, 19 in five games, and assists. But he considers Saturday’s performance team effort.

“I have to give a lot of credit to the players who scored the goals and also to the players who assisted on my goals,” Silvert-Noftle said. “I was happy with the way I played, but my team played well and finished the opportunities I gave them.”

Coach Jim Hardman was impressed by his player’s wide range of skill. “There are strong playmakers and there are strong finishers, and most players are either one or the other,” Hardman said. “He’s a rare bird in that he is both.”

Hardman has been a part of the YSHS soccer program, either as a player or coach, since it was started 28 years ago, and he says this year’s squad is special. “This team is without a doubt the best Yellow Springs has put on the field,” he said.

Both Silvert-Noftle and Hardman attribute the Bulldogs’ success to the players’ experience and the number of years they’ve spent playing together. Many have been playing together since the fourth grade.

“Mostly it’s just that everyone knows how each person plays,” Silvert-Noftle said. “If I have the ball in the corner they’ll know where I want to put the ball and they’ll position themselves there.”

They won when they were little, and they’re still winning now.

Last week, the ’Dogs gave up just one goal in wins over the Washington Court House Blue Lions and the Benjamin Logan Raiders.

The Bulldogs traveled to Logan County last Thursday, to square off against the Raiders, who were 2–1. Five minutes into the match Silvert-Noftle scored the Bulldogs’ first goal off a throw-in from Michael Hosket.

Soon after, Noah Woodburn scored the second YSHS goal, with an assist from Silvert-Noftle. Silvert-Noftle scored twice more off assists from Keyes and Aaron Zagory. He also collected another assist on a goal by Woodburn as the Bulldogs took a 5–0 lead at the half.

Back on the field, Nic Huneck headed the ball to Woodburn at the top of the penalty box, who nodded it on to Silvert-Noftle for goal number six.

Then Yellow Springs defense got a little sloppy and gave up the Bulldogs’ first goal of the year.

The Bulldogs scored two more goals before the game was called because of lightning. YSHS won 8–1.

Two days later, the Bulldogs shut out Washington Court House on the road with another decisive win. It took the Bulldogs just over 15 minutes to solve the Lions’ defense, and then the scoring deluge began.

Anthony Brandon crossed the goal line first, followed by Woodburn. Both were assisted by Silvert-Noftle. Silvert-Noftle assisted the next two goals by Brandon and Woodburn, who headed a ball into the goal from five yards out.

Proving the adage when it rains it pours, YSHS started the second half as it ended the first: scoring. Woodburn knocked in another header, followed by a goal by Hosket and then three more from Silvert-Noftle.

Fullback David Suzel scored two unassisted goals to close out the night.

YSHS goalkeeper Matt Phillips currently leads the state in block shots. The 4–0 Bulldogs played Southeastern on Tuesday.

Golfers improve to 8–2

With nothing to disrupt their serene concentration but the constant singing of cicadas, the members of the YSHS golf team lowered to 166 its best team score of the year during a home match against Jefferson at Locust Hills on Thursday.

Jefferson arrived late and consistently played short, recording a team score of 225, giving YSHS a laudable 8–2 record.

Rory Hotaling and Francis Gayek, taking the Bulldogs’ first and second flights, respectively, led the team when they both sent drives down the fairway at the sixth hole, nestling comfortably side by side short of the green. Their second shots landed like overeager brother and sister, Hotaling’s behind the hole on the first cut, Gayek’s just off the green. Both players got up and down from the back fringe to make the hole for par.

Further along on the seventh hole, where Alex Visbal and Alex Malecki were paired up for flights three and four, Visbal hit a line drive off the tee, which he followed up with a nice shot that landed just short of the green. He then chipped onto the green and made a long putt for par.

On the next hole, a par three, Malecki got off to a tough start sailing into the first bunker off the tee. But he managed to chip out and land on the green, as the ball rolled about six feet past the hole. He just missed his first putt, but sunk his second putt for bogey.

Dustin Rudegeair played alone in fifth flight, bringing up the rear with a strong finish at the ninth hole. He used a wood on a long drive just off to the right. Shooting from the trees, Rudegeair made it onto the fairway. He made the green on his third shot, then chipped in for a four-foot putt to make par and one of his best scores all year.

Even with their regular third flight player, David Warren, absent, the Bulldogs won handily, and had the remainder of the week to rest up for matches on Tuesday and Wednesday against East Clinton and Greeneview, respectively.

Girls soccer loses 1st game of year

The Yellow Springs girls soccer team split matches last week, beating Northridge 12–0 at home on Tuesday, Aug. 26, and losing its first game of the season, 5–1, to Southeastern on Thursday, Aug. 28.

Tuesday’s game against Tri-County North was rained out, and the Lady ‘Dogs are now 3–1 this fall.

Northridge, which is fielding its first girls soccer team this year, put forth a good effort and had several impressive runs throughout the game.

But the Lady Bulldogs’ experience was the difference-maker as the team scored six goals in each half, splitting the healthy number of goals among themselves.

Megan Burrick scored three goals, while Jennifer Smith and Emily Foubert had two goals each. Erin Silvert-Noftle, Kara Deardorf, Monica Erickson and Eve GunderKline all scored as well. Northridge scored a goal for the home team on a deflection from Foubert.

Silvert-Noftle, Burrick, Foubert and Paia LaPalombara each collected an assist.

YSHS also had a strong defensive effort from Smith, India Scarver, Lydia Gerthoffer and Rose Blakelock.

Though the Lady ’Dogs tied Southeastern last year, YSHS had a tougher time playing them this year after arriving late to their game and losing a bit of focus, coach MacKenzie Reynolds said.

Silvert-Noftle scored the Lady Bulldogs’ only goal, driving a ball by herself into the goal in the first 12 seconds of the second half. But YSHS never gained momentum and went under without much noise.

Football team loses close game

The defenses of both teams in last Friday’s game between YSHS and Waynesfield-Goshen dominated a soggy game that was devoid of touchdowns.

The game’s only score came on a 35-yard field goal by the Tigers in the fourth quarter, giving Waynesfield-Goshen a 3–0 win over the Bulldogs.

A steady rain throughout the game and an hour lightning delay at the halftime did not deter YSHS from digging down and holding back the Tigers for three strong quarters. Miguel Visbal led the defense with 16 tackles, while Cody Johnson and Martin Bakari also contributed heavily.

Though the defense held its own, the Bulldogs were not able to capitalize on the turnovers made by the Tigers.

After the Tigers’ field goal, Anthony Brandon returned the ensuing kickoff back for a touchdown. The score, however, was negated by a penalty.

Still, the Bulldogs’ offensive line showed much improvement from last week, coach Jerome Crosswhite said.

Quarterback Jake Fulton completed 7 of 19 passes for 78 yards with one interception. Brandon rushed for 79 yards while Jordan Skinner caught two passes for 49 yards.

It was a hard loss for the ’Dogs, but they have a big game against Cedarville this Friday, Sept. 5, and they need strong fan attendance to help secure their first win of the season.

Warren places 10th in XC meet

The YSHS cross country team opened the fall season by placing 17th out of 27 teams on Saturday at the Wendy’s All American Classic meet in Hillsboro.

Leading the Bulldogs were David Warren and Carey Dixon, who sprinted uphill off the crowded Liberty Park starting line to join the lead pack. After finishing the first mile in 5:10, the pair settled into their smooth strides along the rain-swollen Clear Creek. Reentering the hills, Warren moved up to 10th place. He held that spot through the final creek jump and last hill to complete the 3.1-mile in a lifetime best of 17:31.

Dixon was the second Yellow Springs runner to finish the course, which he completed in 17:46. He finished in 20th place. He was followed by teammates Sam Borchers, who finished in 60th place, in 19:10; Matthew Marretta, 156th, in 23:55; and Zack Reichert, 177th, in 30:04.

Rosa Dixon led the McKinney School girls team, finishing in 69th place, out of 150, in 16:40 over a two-mile course.

Danielle Doubt placed 103rd, in 18:12. Olivia Mezsaros was a step behind in 104th place, followed by Ellen Swisher and Lara Donnelly in 108th and 109th.

The squad placed 12th out of 17 schools.

Andy Peters was the lone McKinney runner to compete in the boys junior high race and finished in 9th place, out of 160, in 12:33.

Volleyball team nets decisive win

The YSHS girls volleyball team improved to 3–0 last week, beating Middletown Christian on Tuesday, Aug. 26, and Cincinnati Christian on Saturday, Aug. 30.

The Lady Bulldogs decisively defeated Cincinnati Christian in straight sets, 15–9 and 15–8.

Offensive scorers Heather Wagers, Katie Lovering, Megan Lents, Janell Martin and Evin Wimberly contributed to the team’s dominating performance.

Defensive dives and scrapes by Lovering, Martin, Wimberly, Alicia Walker-Garrison, Tricia McLinden and Arla Smith kept coach Shirley Martin on the edge of her seat.

The team traveled to Northridge on Wednesday, Sept. 3.

Starter golf program

The YSHS golf program is offering a four-session enrichment program for seventh-, eighth- and ninth-grade students interested in brushing up on golf skills and possibly joining the golf team.

Interested students should meet today (Thursday), 4 p.m. at Gaunt Park. For more information, call Gerry Simms, 767-1704.