Local ties bring coach to Lake Catholic

New girls soccer coach Chris Hastings had success in previous stints outside Baltimore. Northeast Ohio ties through his wife’s side of the family have brought him to the sideline in Mentor.

Junior midfielder Kati Druzina had a hat trick to pace Lake Catholic in a 6-2 season-opening win at nonconference foe Madison on Aug. 19.

The Cougars, a Division II district finalist last fall, generated 22 shots on target and seven corners.

“The field, it’s got to be at least 85 yards wide, so our No. 1 goal is to spread them out,” Lake coach Chris Hastings said. “You can’t cover everywhere, so it was good. The girls were listening to what I asked and got a couple of goals early. I think we tired a little bit toward the end, and we were making subs toward the end. (Madison) was tired, too — they played (Aug. 18 in a 6-0 win over Lakeside). They’re a good side. They’re going to be a good team this year.”

Lake was dominant in attacking quality and possession and took a 2-0 lead into halftime. Grace Mohr opened the Cougars’ account in the 30th minute far post, and Druzina followed in the 37th with a tap-in at the line.

Lake recorded 17 shots on target in the second half as it blew the match open.

Madison got on the board in the 58th minute on a well-struck free kick by striker Mykayla Askew, and the sophomore completed a brace with a quality near-post strike off Alyssa Caruthers service in the 70th.

“The first 30 was great,” Blue Streaks coach Chad Butler said. “I liked how we held with them and everything, and our defense had been a little sloppy prior to this game. At the beginning, they shut it down and did well. It’s not a team you want to go back-to-back for down four subs because of injury, and they made us pay for it. They took advantage of what they needed to.

“We reset and will be ready for Hawken on Tuesday.”