The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Sharp Mayfield pounds Nordonia
Mayfield recorded 12 shots on target in a rhythmic afternoon that saw the Wildcats tune up for postseason.
Mayfield recorded 12 shots on target in a rhythmic afternoon and provided longtime coach Sean McNamara an ideal scenario on the final day of the regular season — the flexibility to sub freely in an impressive 6-1 rout at Nordonia on Oct. 14 in a nonconference match.
The Wildcats (6-4-6) got one strike apiece from Antonio Quinones, Yahya Alnagi, Zak Mahdaoui, Mario Ochoa, Andrew Curl and Anthony DiTomas in a comprehensive result.
It marks the fourth time since 2011 the Mayfield boys — as McNamara always affectionately calls them, his “lads” — have scored at least six goals in a match.
“That’s fantastic,” McNamara said. “I never keep stats. I don’t know how many games I’ve won or whatever. The next game is always the game I want to win. But that’s good.
“It worked for our team. It was unfortunate for Nordonia — I know their coach was doing the same, getting lads in and getting ready for the second season. And we were able to stay connected and keep our shape. We changed our formation in the second half with the three front, and I think that helped us also. We took advantage of the opportunities for the most part. So yeah, I was very well pleased.”
Locked in a 1-1 match approaching halftime, Alnagi gave the Wildcats the lead for good with a lovely onetouch volley for his sixth goal of the fall.
Mahdaoui made a pacey run into the right side of
the box and gathered Anthony Velotta service in the 49th for a similar strike — his team-high eighth goal of 2017 — for a 3-1 advantage.
For a side that has notched 18 ties in the last three seasons, wins — especially those with midfield intent and potency up top — are welcome in this fashion.
“The player who assisted to me, I think (Jacob Weissman), he had a really, really nice ball,” Alnagi said of his goal. “I’ve just got to touch it over the goalie, and that’s it — it went in.
“That’s what we always do. We had a good game today and they were tough, but we know how to deal with it. We’re Mayfield. We’re one of the lads, so we know how to deal with this.”
Coming soon
For more from this match, a profile of Quinones stepping into the side for a timely early goal, check back in the coming days on News-Herald.com and in our print edition.