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Comets streak past Golden Eagles

United’s Jonathan Logan controls the ball as Kidron Central Christian’s Javin Peck defends on Wednesday in a Div. III regional semifinal at Minerva’s Hines Field. Looking on is Kidron Central’s Liam Near and United’s Mitchell Kelly. (Salem News/Wayne Maris)

MINERVA–Eighty minutes of rain fell upon United Eagles and Kidron Central Christian Comets as both teams battled on Wednesday night in a Div. III regional semifinal.

United’s most successful season ended with a 2-0 defeat to 2016 state runner-up Kidron Central Christian on a wet night at Hines Stadium.

Kidron Central Christian advances to the Div. III regional finals against Rootstown on Saturday at a time and place to be announced. In Wednesday’s other regional semifinal, Rootstown beat Independence 4-3.

This was the first trip to the regionals for the 16-1-2 United boys soccer program.

“This trip meant everything,” United coach Curtis Jones said. “They made a lot of history this year with 16 wins being the most in history and winning the first EOAC title.

“A small rural school in Columbiana county can achieve success in soccer.”

The two goals for the Comets came within a minute of each other in the first half.

Comet’s Freshman Henry Perkins scored two goals with one coming at the 31:22 mark and the other coming at 30:45.

“It all came down to a minute stretch at the beginning of the game,” Jones said. “They played the ball to the right side and we shifted over than they got a goal from the backside.

“I always stress the next five minutes after a goal we have to play clean but we coughed up the ball and it gave them another chance.”

United’s leading scorer Johnathan Logan (55 goals) was faced with a double team from the Comet defense most of the night.

“We didn’t get the goal scoring opportunities we usually see,” Jones said. “They set four in the back and that congestion made it tough springing Logan up top and getting opportunities.”

Logan finishes his career as United’s leading scorer with 103 goals.

“I was just going with the flow and it just kind of happened,” Logan said. “I was definitely pushing for it when knew I got close but I would have never thought that I would’ve reached this mark.”

Fellow Senior Mitchell Kelly led the team in assists with 19.

“If you would have told me my freshman year we would be going to regionals I wouldn’t have believed you,” Kelly said.

After that opening two goal spurt by the Comets, the United defense held strong.

“It shows this team’s character,” Jones said. “There was two games this season we were down 2-0 at halftime. Against Warren Harding we dominated in the second half and tied. Also against Tuscawaras Valley we battled back and ended up losing 2-1. We have been there before and we typically respond well being in the situation.”

Tuscawaras Valley were also district champions this year in Div. III.

A shot opportunity for United came when a Logan corner went to Ethan McDevitt who shot the ball over the net at the 26:40 mark of the first half. Logan also had a shot from outside of the box that sailed to the left of the net with 32:48 left in the second half.

In goal for United, Noah Brieck had 3 saves.

The precipitation fell all night and picked up going into the second half.

“I don’t really know if the weather played a factor,” Jones said. “On their goals I didn’t see it being a factor. If it was grass it might’ve been a factor but since it was turf it didn’t impact it that much.”

Kidron Central Chritian advances to its fifth straight regional final.

“This was a really hard fought game,” Kidron Central Christian head coach Alex Steiner said. “United’s a quality but fortunately enough we got the two goals early and came out on top.”

The regional final trip for the Eagles was unexpected at the beginning of the season.

“It was a strange feeling to keep practicing knowing we were in the final 16,” Jones said. “We deserved to get here and achieved our goal of winning the district final. This team set a standard for United soccer this year.”

Match notes

• The regional semifinal site was 12 miles from United and 43 miles from Kidron Central Christian.

“We were excited to learn the location,” Jones said. “It was a short trip for us and we had great fan support.”

• Kidron Central Christian lost to Cincinnati Summit Country Day 9-1 last year in the Div. III state final at MAPFRE Stadium, home of the Columbus Crew.

• United’s previous best mark for wins was 10.

• United loses four seniors this year.

• The Comets had a team shake-up mid-season when it kicked leading scorer Pedro Zeleya off the team for undisclosed reasons.

• United only allowed 16 goals all season.

“Our goal production was phenomenal and I am pleased with the work this season,” Jones said.

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