Gergye’s two goals lift Rockets to victory

Cade Gergye’s two goals gave Bay a 2-0 sectional final win over Fairview and set up a renewal of the Rockets’ rivalry with Rocky River.

Bay junior Cade Gergye reached rarified air in helping the Rockets get the rematch they were looking for.

Gergye scored less than six minutes into the game and added another in the second half as the host Rockets advanced to a district semifinal with a 2-0 Division II Elyria District win over Fairview on Oct. 21. Gergye became the first player under coach Bobby Dougherty’s tenure to score 20 goals in a season. BAY 2, FAIRVIEW 0

The Rockets travel to topseeded Rocky River on Oct. 24 for the district semifinal matchup. The two teams met earlier in the year with the Pirates recording a 5-0 win.

“We’re a little bit off on finishing,” Dougherty said. “It’s the playoffs. Everything is a little bit tighter. Both of his (Gergye) goals were great. … Everything you want out of a forward he’s been able to do for us.” Bay (12-4-1) came out

the aggressor from as the opening kickoff. They forced the first of seven corner kicks in the first half less than three minutes into the game.

A breakdown in Fairview’s defense allowed Noah Beck to make a nice crossing pass to Gergye. Controlling the ball, Gergye did a fantastic spin move to get away from a Warriors defender and beat Fairview goalie Seth Ketchum for a Rockets’ 1-0 lead with 34:25 left in the first half.

“He (Beck) got end-line. I got it back, took a touch and just finished.” Gergye said.

The deficit at the half could have been much worse for the Warriors except the play of Ketchum kept the Rockets off the board.

Ketchum stopped a handful of shots on goal. He also got a little help as a header attempt hit the crossbar. But the ball bounced back, which led to another header attempt that Ketchum saved.

“The goalie (Ketchum) had good saves,” Gergye said. “When our shots aren’t falling we get frustrated … we’ve got to keep doing what we are doing and they (goals) will fall.”

With just under nine minutes left in the second half, Gergye sealed Bay’s win as he took a nice pass from Matt DeCapua. On the left-hand side, Gergye used his left foot to rifle a low shot just inside the opposite post and past a diving Ketchum.

“He knows what he has, but to be able to put a game on ice … that is the difference between last year and this year,” Dougherty said. “Last year, he grew seven inches and when we needed that final push; we didn’t quite have it.

“This year he’s a big boy and he’s tough to handle.”

Having to take on the role of scorer, Gergye responded to the challenge with 18 goals during the regular season. He also relies on his teammates to help shoulder the load. Now he gets another chance at Rocky River.

“I take it in and it’s good being the goal scorer,” Gegye said. “But you also have to give it up to the other guys. They have to finish and they do.

“After losing 5-0 to them, I can’t wait to get back at them.”