9/19/2012: Mercer 2- Conneaut 0By Ryan Kozlowski, Assistant Coach
The Conneaut Eagles (4-0-1) knew coming in against Mercer (5-1-0) that it was always going to be a tough match.
Nevertheless, Conneaut didn't look too phased for the first 10 to 15 minutes of the contest as they took it to Mercer.
Tactically, the Eagles added another body in midfield, in a four-man square formation behind the striker, to hopefully help win the midfield battle against Mercer; and it appeared to be working as the Eagles passed around Mercer and created the first two opportunities of the game.
Unfortunately, neither opportunity could be converted and Mercer finally got out of their funk, getting back on the front foot in the game.
After Mercer had a few close shaves at a goal, the Conneaut side started to bunker, hurting themselves, and their chances to match Mercer in midfield.
Around the 25th minute, Mercer's two most dangerous players connected, as Will Juergens ball was lofted into the penalty box of Conneaut; Mercer's Chase Hoffman was the opportunist pouncing on the loose ball before three Conneaut defenders or goalkeeper Nick Stockton could do so, firing it far corner to make it 1-nil.
The defense received praise nevertheless by Conneaut Head Coach Alan Wise, for limiting Mercer to just six shots the entire game, quite a feet; as not many sides limit Mercer to under 10 shots a game or 15, let alone six.
Mainstay defenders Josh Betts, Tommy Mullen, and Cole Snodgrass received the team MVP awards for that performance.
Unfortunately, for them Mercer didn't need many shots (as it sometimes goes in soccer, as Saegertown had 12 shots the previous week and couldn't score against Conneaut, where Mercer had six and scored two); and that second goal was scored in the 50th minute by Will Juergens, taking the wind out of the Conneaut sails after an improved Eagles start to the second half.
Conneaut continued to try to press the issue as the half went on, but found trouble getting out of their defensive third and succumbed to their first loss of the season as a result.
For Conneaut (4-1-1) their opposition will not get easier tomorrow against a high flying Saegertown (5-0-2) side, that just defeated top side Warren.
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