By PAUL GOTHAM
PITTSFORD, N.Y. — Credit Cooper LaValley with timing.
The Greece Arcadia junior was in search of his first goal of the season. The Titans were looking to convert on a set piece. LaValley’s coach, Matt Vergamini, wanted to get one against a rival.
LaValley delivered on all three when he connected with a free kick late in the second half, and Arcadia edged Pittsford Sutherland, 1-0 in Monroe County Division III action Thursday night at Ordiway Field.
“It feels good,” he said. “I’ve really been struggling to get on the scoresheet all year. Finally got it. I’ve had lots of chances, just blowing them.”
With a restart just outside the 18-yard box and to the right of center, LaValley slotted one far post to snap a scoreless tie.
“I was originally going to go near post over the wall, but the goalie was stepping over to read it,” LaValley explained. “I saw a little gap, so I decided to go lower corner because that’s the only spot there was. The only spot I was going to get to.”
The strike found its way through a tangle of bodies to beat Sutherland goalkeeper Sam Smillie.
68’ Cooper LaValley converts to give @SoccerArcadia a 1-nil lead pic.twitter.com/xJIImgVyxK
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) September 14, 2018
“We work ‘em practice,” Vergamini said. “We haven’t scored off one this year.We switched things up a little bit on it. We had Cooper on the ball. He hit a good low-driven ball. Tested the keeper. That’s what we told him before the game, make the keeper work.
The win was the fourth straight for Arcadia (4-1-0) this season, but a first for Vergamini.
“It’s feels good because we haven’t beaten them in the six years I’ve been at Arcadia,” Vergamini explained. “These guys know that, so it was a little extra motivation for them tonight.”
For LaValley it was a chance to turn the tables on last year’s loss and to get the upper hand on some teammates from club soccer.
“I know some of the kids on Sutherland. I play with them in the summertime, and I’ve played against them last year. I scored but we lost. 4-1. It’s good to get back at them. It’s good redemption. They’re a good team. We started of the season well. We got to keep going.”
Sam Smillie comes up with another save. pic.twitter.com/pwJzD7Gckr
— Paul Gotham (@PickinSplinters) September 14, 2018
Sutherland (4-2-0/2-2-0) came into contest having scored three or more goals in three of their previous matches and averaged three markers per outing. The clean sheet was the fourth straight for Arcadia (4-1-0/2-1-0) and junior keeper Taber Monks.
“At the beginning of the year we were struggling a little bit with team shape, defensively. Staying compact as a group when defending,” Vergamini explained. “So we talked about if the ball moves forward, we’re moving as a unit today. We’re pushing forward to press. We’re shifting, trying to cut down passing lanes to not give them space to work in. To make things a little bit more difficult for them and put them under pressure when they got the ball, sooner.”
Arcadia tried to extend the lead in the closing moments of the game. Smillie frustrated the Titans with a pair of saves.
The Titans will host Eastridge on Saturday for a 10:30 AM start.
Sutherland hosts Greece Olympia for a noon start on Saturday.
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