STOW — Giving up a goal in the first minute can be tough to overcome.
That's exactly what happened to Stow boys soccer in their district semifinal game vs. Lakewood Wednesday at Bulldogs Soccer Stadium.
"That didn't help the cause," said Stow coach Kyle Kosmala. "It was good that we battled back. I thought our defense played well and swarmed well tonight. What happened was, two very closely matched teams played a great game and we ended up on the wrong end of it."
Lakewood got a goal in the 66th minute from Liam Kim to score a 2-1 win and eliminate Stow (7-6-3). The Rangers (10-5-2) advance to face North Canton Hoover in the Division II Northeast 3 district final Saturday.
Stow didn't fall asleep in the first minute, but a couple of bad bounces went against them.
The Rangers sent a tight-angle shot in, which Stow goalie Christian Faulconer saved, but Isaac Cracium smashed the rebound home from close range with just 50 seconds gone.
It was a rough night for Faulconer, who had to exit the game midway through the first half after taking a knee to the face. He and Aiden Powes combined for saves.
After the initial shock, Stow played its best soccer in the final 20 minutes of the first half. It found the equalizer off a set piece in the 21st minute.
Stow earned a corner kick and Noah Levick served a ball to the back post. Defender Rogan Allen knocked his header just inside the post to make it 1-1.
Both teams had their chances i nthe second half, but Lakewood found the winning goal on the counterattack.
The Rangers' defense blocked three straight shots before clearly the ball down the right side. Lakewood switched the ball to the left, where Kim found himself alone. He put a high shot into the right corner.
Stow pressed to equalized again, but saw its best chance in the final 10 minutes trickle wide.
Lakewood finished with a 6-5 edge in shots on goal, while Stow led in corner kicks 5-4.
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The Rangers's second half goal proved to be the difference in the game. Stow ends the season at 7-6-3.
Lakewood retook the lead with a bit of counterattacking.
After Stow had three straight shot blocked in the Rangers box, Lakewood sped the other way.The Rangers worked it up right side of the field before switching the ball to the left, where Liam Kim smashed a high shot into the net. Lakewood leads 2-1 with 14:45 left on the clock.
Lakewood enjoyed it best spell of possession in the game, earning a corner kick. The Rangers had several chances, but the Stow defense blocked a pair of shots in the front before a third show went over the bar. It remains 1-1 in the 53rd minute.
Lakewood took the early lead through a rebound goal from Isaac Cracium in the first minute, but Stow equalized in the 21st minute via a headed goal from Rogan Allen. It's 1-1 at the half.
Halftime statistics - Shots on goal: Stow 4-2; Fouls 6-6; Corners: Stow 4-1. Saves: Christian Faulconer (S) 1, Louis Van der Kull (L), 3.
Stow made it 1-1 with a textbook set piece.
After earning a corner kick in the 21st minute, Noah Levik teed up the ball from the near side. He sent a ball to the back post, which Rogan Allen headed home just inside the post. The game is tied 1-1 with 19:13 left in the first half.
The Bulldogs have settled a bit after the shock early goal. Alex Kuhlke hit a shot from distance, but Lakewood's Louis Van der Kull makes the save. Lakewood still leads 1-0 in 13th minute.
It didn't take long for Lakewood to fin the net. The Rangers put a tight angle shot which Stow goalie Christian Faulconer parried, but Lakewood's Isaac Craciun pounced on the rebound and put it home. Lakewood leads 1-0 with 39:10 left in the first half.
What to watch for in Stow-Lakewood boys soccer
Stow coach Kyle Kosmala is his 25th year in charge of the Bulldogs. Lakewood is coached by Andrew Toth.
Starting lineups:
- Stow - Rogan Allen (D), Ari Dulta (M), Christian Faulconer (GK), Alex Kuhlke (F), Connor Mihalyov (M) Sean Rhoades (D), Evan Butler (D), Amari Darrow (M), Mateo Garduno (M), Noah Levik (D), Rayhan Harouna-Moussa (M).
- Lakewood - Louis Van der Kull (GK), Ayodele Adigun (D), Bukuru Bafukamire (D), Issac Carcius (M), Butoto Bufukamire (F), Quincey Zvomuya (M), Mooler Dah (M), Camden Fegley (F), Liam Kim (M), Lawrence Moore (F).
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: OHSAA boys high school soccer | Stow vs Lakewood district semifinal recap
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