<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=4WFhiE_0vlK0DtV00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4WFhiE_0vlK0DtV00" width="1280" height="1600" >ELYRIA — A physical defensive effort, combined with a pair of goals from senior Hezekiah Garcia, lifted Elyria Catholic’s boys soccer team to a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Padua Franciscan Thursday (9/26) at Dan Reaser Stadium.Garcia scored a goal in each half — the first coming on a penalty kick with 25:02 left in the first and the other a hustle goal that the veteran headed-in with 35:27 remaining in regulation.But it was the backline, and goalkeeper Zach Gaines, that sealed the win for the Panthers (7-4, 2-2). Gaines finished with 12 saves, including a diving stop early in the second half.He wasn’t alone, however, as junior Brady Miller chased down a ball that slipped by Gaines, after the keeper came off of his line to play the ball, and knocked it away before it went in.The other came with just 40 seconds left as Hakeen Garcia had a slide tackle that saved what would’ve been a one-on-one opportunity for a Padua striker.Senior Sean O’Donnell also had a handful of clear outs, giving EC a handful of shot opportunities on the counterattack.The Panthers travel to Westlake this Saturday (9/28) for a non-conference match. JV starts at 5 p.m., followed by varsity at 7.</div></body>

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Lockdown defense helps EC to win over Padua

ELYRIA — A physical defensive effort, combined with a pair of goals from senior Hezekiah Garcia, lifted Elyria Catholic’s boys soccer team to a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Padua Franciscan Thursday (9/26) at Dan Reaser Stadium. Garcia scored a goal in each half — the first coming on...