John Bruce, Editor
Southern Ohio Sports Authority is presented by Holzer Health System.
WHEELERSBURG — For 80 minutes, South Webster and Wheelersburg played at a fast, physical pace, looking to eventually break into the scoring column.
However, due to an outstanding goalkeeping performance from South Webster freshman David Rowland, the teams ultimately played to a scoreless draw.
“Dave knows where to be and it seems like [it’s been that way] this whole season,” South Webster coach Corey Claxon said of his goalkeeper. “He positions himself in the right place to make a save. He’s just a heads-up player. He played phenomenal tonight for us, making a few big saves.”
Rowland’s performance started strong with a leaping parry in the sixth minute to deny Wheelersburg’s Corban Stratton. With the momentum moving towards the Jeeps’ goal, the sophomore cut back to his right before unleashing a high shot that Rowland was able to push above the crossbar to stop the early threat.
Less than a minute later, the Jeeps (4-1-1, 2-1-1 SOC II) nearly converted on their best chance of the game.
Cole Bennett played a free kick forward, which Cole Belford chased down and controlled with his right foot. Wheelersburg’s Caleb Partin rushed Belford, forcing his shot towards the back post where freshman Brady Hamilton got a touch that looked destined for the back of the net.
However, Cade Blackburn hustled and deflected the shot wide of the target to maintain the deadlock.
“We’re starting to piece guys together back there and we’re starting to gel,” Wheelersburg coach Jon Estep said of his defense. “That’s four in a row now that we haven’t allowed a goal and that’s against some pretty solid competition.”
Blackburn, along with his brother Chase, Owen Artrip and Gilberto Duarte, combined to deny the Jeeps another clean look throughout the remainder of the first half. The Pirates routinely cleared the ball forward when threatened and refused to get rattled through communication and patience defensively.
“Again, it’s a testament to the work that they do, the unity and connections that they have back there,” Estep said of his defense. “Being in the right spot, clearing it out and just some toughness.”
While the Pirates (5-0-2, 2-0-1 SOC II) were able to maintain a bit more possession, their attacks were still unable to phase the impressive Jeep defense. The veteran group used their speed and physicality throughout the contest, forcing many of Wheelersburg’s attacks to come from distance.
“We returned most of our defense there from last season. They didn’t always start but they were definitely key players,” Claxon said of his defense. “Cole Bennet has been solid for the fourth year, Jaheim Froe, Brayden Barnard and then Jace White as well. They played hard and did a great job.”
Barnard was seemingly everywhere on the pitch throughout the second half, while Bennett and Froe stayed solid. White brought another level of physical play to limit what the Wheelersburg’s attack was able to put together.
Neither team could break through the other’s impenetrable defense until the Pirates had a pair of golden opportunities in the final 10 minutes.
Stratton attacked through the middle of the pitch, firing a low, right-footed shot towards the far post, where Rowland sprawled and made a right-handed save back to the field.
Wheelersburg’s Carson Estep flew in to win the next touch, attacking with a left-footed shot that seemed to beat Rowland. But the keeper got just enough of a deflection to keep the ball from crossing the goal line. Rowland pounced on the loose ball to eliminate the threat and give his team a hard-fought road draw.
Statistically, Rowland had a game-high nine saves, stopping the Pirates at every turn. The result would be the third clean sheet for the Jeeps. Meanwhile, it marked the fourth consecutive scoreless performance by Caleb Partin and the Pirates. Partin finished the match with three saves and continued to stand out to his coach.
“He’s learning. He didn’t get much time behind Breyden [Byrd], other than his sophomore year when he had to step in,” Estep said of his senior goalkeeper. “The best part about Caleb right now is he’s vocal back there. He’s getting better at making the right reads on when to come out. He did that a few times there in the second half and got the ball back in our attacking half.”
The Pirates return to action on Thursday night in West Portsmouth as they take on the Senators in SOC II play, while the Jeeps host Waverly that same evening.
“The soccer in this area has just continued to improve,” Claxon said of the level of Scioto County soccer. “That does a lot for the area. The level has come up and we’ve got some pretty good soccer players and good teams.”
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