SECOND-HALF GOAL CARRIES SHOREMEN

Tally in 62nd minute helps Avon Lake hold off spirited effort from Pioneers

The sun was setting on a sweltering fall day as the match between Elyria and Avon Lake was about to begin on Sept. 30 at Avon Lake Memorial Stadium.

Elyria (5-7-1, 1-5-0 GCC) was looking to play spoiler and upset Avon Lake (10-3-0, 6-1-0 SWC) at home on senior night. Instead, the Shoremen were victorious as they took down the Pioneers, 2-1.

A second half-goal from Logan Allemeier in the 62nd minute was enough to get Avon Lake past Elyria.

In the first half, Avon Lake showed why it is in first place in the Southwestern Conference.

The Shoremen put pressure on Elyria’s defense and goalkeeper Brandon Lowery continuously throughout the half. They racked up 11 shots on goal and had some near misses.

“We were dominating the game and (Elyria) got one ball in the first half that went through,” Avon Lake head coach Pete Klepek said. “We were in control for most of the game, but we just couldn’t finish. That’s not normally like us. You can see from our record in the past that we have been scoring. This was just a game where we couldn’t put the ball in the back of the net.”

Lowery stood tall against the constant pressure and compiled six first half saves. The Shoremen were able to strike first and get one past Lowery in the 17th minute. Joshua Lawniczak put a strike into the back of the net from 10 yards out to give Avon Lake a 1-0 lead.

Lawniczak said it was a relief when the Shoremen’s persistence paid off.

“I came out strong and wanted to show that I can play,” Lawniczak said. “It’s tough sometimes when you can’t get them to go in at first but you have to just keep pushing. We did and we got one to fall ... You have to just keep going when it doesn’t go in.”

Elyria didn’t back down, and the Pioneers were able to take advantage of a mistake by Avon Lake.

In the 24th minute, Shoremen goalkeeper Stephen Jones came out of the net in an attempt to scoop up the ball. This left the net wide open, and Chuckie Locklear poked one toward the goal and into the back of the net to even the score at 1-1.

Elyria struggled to get past Avon Lake’s defense in the first half as they managed just two shots on goal.

In the second half, Avon Lake had plenty of shots on goal, however, the Shoremen weren’t able to convert.

That changed in the 62nd minute.

Logan Allemeier was able to put one past Lowery to give the Shoremen a 2-1 lead. That was all they needed to down the feisty Pioneers.

“It feels great,” Allemeier said. “Danny Lambert hit a beautiful ball for me, I saw it and put it bottom left. It felt great to help secure the win.”

Elyria’s defense gave it all it had as Avon Lake racked up 25 shots on goal. Lowery had a solid game and prevented a potential lopsided loss with 12 saves.

“They battled the whole entire game,” Elyria head coach Brett Heighberger said. “This has been a game in the past where they’ve usually been able to hand it to us and we haven’t been able to handle the pressure at times. However, for the most part, I thought our guys battled strong.”

Up next, Avon Lake hosts North Olmsted on Oct. 2, while Elyria hosts Avon on Oct. 3.

RANDY MEYERS — FOR THE MORNING JOURNAL Avon Lake’s Spencer Chippi and Elyria’s Allen Prechtel react to a free kick during the first half Sept. 30.

RANDY MEYERS — FOR THE MORNING JOURNAL Elyria goalie Brandon Lowery makes a save in front of Logan Allenmeier of Avon Lake during the first half Sept. 30.

RANDY MEYERS — FOR THE MORNING JOURNAL Elyria’s Isaac Dicken and Avon Lake’s Liam Gannon compete for the ball during the first half Sept. 30.