The Lakers found a way.
Indian Lake battled and came up with a 3-1 win over visiting Calvary Christian in nonleague boys soccer play on Monday.
The Spartans created plenty of pressure for the majority of the first 40 minutes, but were unable to score.
Lakers senior Avery Pequignot broke the stalemate with a quick strike with 6 1/2 minutes to play, then added another with 20 seconds left. Carson Clary assisted on both of those scores.
A miscue by Calvary Christian with 25 minutes left in the second half was also credited to Pequignot, and the defense held up from there to the final horn.
Lakers coach Dallas Clary said, “Calvary is a very well-playing team. We knew going into the game it’s going to be a tough battle. And we definitely respect their program and what they’re building. This is a hard fought win and we’re glad to come out with it.”
He noted that “they don’t make too many mistakes and anytime you can capitalize on that, it’s definitely a positive for us.”
Indian Lake moves to 2-0 on the season, having opened with a win over Bath on Saturday.
The Spartans were playing their first regular game of the season after taking part in the Quest Cup at Ben Logan.
Cohen McDonald scored for Calvary, with Trent Comer setting up the shot.
Coach Daniel Wilt of the Spartans said, “We just couldn’t take advantage of our tactics. We can play at a higher level. We just have to move on and turn things around.”
In the opening minutes, Calvary Christian created some pressure at one end, while Indian Lake got a corner kick but did not produce a shot.
At about the midpoint of the first half, Calvary Christian had a shot go wide to the right of the net. A couple minutes later, Indian Lake had a near miss, with a ball hitting off one of the posts.
The Spartans got a corner kick with 13 minutes to go, and McDonald had a low shot from the right side with 10 minutes left.
Play was briefly halted with 8 1/2 minutes remaining as Clary was knocked down. He left the game briefly but was able to continue.
Just after another corner kick by Calvary, Indian Lake drove the other way and Pequignot put one past the keeper with 6:24 to play.
It didn’t stay that way for long, as the Spartans worked down on the right side. Comer fed the ball over to McDonald and he put it home on the lower edge of the net.
It appeared things would remain tied, but with 20 seconds left, Pequignot controlled a long pass from Clary and hammered it in.
The first 10 minutes of the second half was even. With 25:19 left, the Spartans gave up the own goal as the keeper was unable to reach it before it crossed the line.
Indian Lake kept ahead from there on, with Calvary’s best chance going wide left with about 13 minutes left.
Indian Lake (2-0) will host Fairlawn on Saturday at noon. Calvary Christian will play at Lima Central Catholic today and hosts New Knoxville on Friday.
In other soccer action:
BOYS
Ben Logan 1, Graham 0
ST. PARIS — Ben Logan got a shutout win over host Graham in Central Buckeye Conference play.
Joe Meeker had two saves. The Raiders scored off a throw-in by Aidan Todd.
Ben Logan (3-0) will hosts Stivers on Thursday at 5:30 p.m.
West Liberty-Salem 4, Catholic Central 0
SPRINGFIELD — West Liberty-Salem defeated SCC in Ohio Heritage Conference play.
All the scoring came in the second half. Kamden Yang had two, with one each by Jake Lauck and Wyatt Longaberger. Lance Campbell had an assist.
Tucker Searles made two saves.
West Liberty-Salem (4-0) is at Fairbanks on Thursday at 6:30 p.m.
Tecumseh 4, Bellefontaine 0
NEW CARLISLE — Bellefontaine lost to host Tecumseh in CBC action.
The Arrows scored two goals in each half. Bellefontaine is now 0-4 on the season.
Coach Steve Henry said, “We didn’t have the start that we needed to get out on our front foot. But we kept scrapping to keep them out. They just did a good job of winning the midfield and 50-50 balls.”
The Chieftains will host River Valley this evening at 5:30 p.m.
GIRLS
Catholic Central 2, West Liberty-Salem 0
SPRINGFIELD — West Liberty-Salem lost to Catholic Central in Ohio Heritage Conference action on Monday.
Kaylee Blair had eight saves for the Lady Tigers.
West Liberty-Salem is now 1-1 in the OHC and 1-2-1 overall. They will travel to Fairbanks on Thursday. The game will begin at 4:30 p.m.
Ben Logan 6, Graham 2
ST. PARIS — Ben Logan defeated Graham in Central Buckeye Conference play on Monday.
Rylan Norviel had three goals, with Ella Chamberlin, Daylin Varner and Ella Stoodt also finding the back of the net.
Lucy Johns, Kaylee Hays, Chamberlin and Stoodt had assists.
Ben Logan (1-0 CBC, 2-0 overall) will host Stivers on Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
