Kraszewski’s goal boosts Eagles over rival Shoregals

After an even first half, Avon’s Karissa Kraszewski scored the difference-maker minutes into the second half on rival Avon Lake as the Eagles collected their first win of the season with a 1-0 victory on Aug. 25.

Competition between the Eagles and Shoregals has been fierce since Avon came to the Southwestern Conference a few years back, and the Aug. 25 affair was no different. Neither side refused to blink after the first 40 minutes of play, then Avon’s Kraszewski found the back of the net off a corner kick. Avon Lake tried to clear, but the ball landed at the foot of Kraszewski with an open net.

The goal was sweet for Kraszewski, who is back after a major injury at the end of last season.

“So, the ball came in and I know where Taylor (Golas) puts it, she puts it normally in the middle of the goal area and someone bounced it off them and it rolled back to me and I saw the perfect opportunity to take it in,” Kraszewski said. “I felt pretty good, I know that I have to keep working on the field and keep strengthening and doing hard work and the extra work while giving 110 percent.”

Avon coach Attila Csiszar said his team is headed in the right direction with win No. 1 out of the way.

“We started off possessing the ball really well, but at points it was a little bit rough,” Csiszar said. “I think the girls as a whole, we’re getting there one step at a time. Our key player Karissa obviously was injured, she was out for almost a year coming back into this. She was our key player and she was our leading goal scorer and assists last year. I think having her back is going to help us progress.”

Getting a good, physical matchup out of both sides, both coaches came away impressed with what the other side did. Csiszar said he saw a Shoregals team that came out swinging and with high intensity for a win.

“Avon Lake, they came out hungry,” Csiszar said. “Last year, we possessed the ball a little more, but I think Avon Lake, they pressure and I think it was a really good match.”

Avon Lake coach Daegen Duvall said he was impressed with Avon’s speed and intensity to the ball, which makes the Eagles dangerous with every possession. “It was determined, we’ve been playing with a lot of conviction, which is great and it’s a little different than years past,” Duvall said. “We still lack a little technical prowess, so we’re playing a little more direct than I’ve played in the past, but it was a close contest either way.

“They’ve got some really good players, Attila a great coach. They showed equal amounts conviction, so they got the rub of the green on the one opportunity they needed.”

Like all matches between these teams, countless bags of ice were needed on bumps and bruises all over, but the physical nature of this game is was Csiszar said makes each side stronger.

“Coming off that Olmsted Falls loss, I think today helps us, especially being the first home game, I think it’s exciting for the girls,” Csiszar said. “We’ve got a lot to work on, there’s no question and the girls know it and I think this going to be a totally different team seven, eight, nine games in. I think we’ve got a lot of good pieces and I think we can build on it here.”