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Tigers on turf

Howland debut on new field spoiled by Cards

Correspondent photo / Robert Hayes Howland’s Kalliopi Gentis (5) tries to gain possession of the ball from Marissa Ieraci (21) of Canfield on Wednesday night at Howland High School. The Tigers played their first game on the stadium’s new turf, losing, 1-0, to the Cardinals.

HOWLAND — Sometimes it’s the one team that hiccups at the wrong time that ends up on the short end of the stick.

Wednesday’s girls soccer match between Canfield and Howland proved just that, as the schools were locked in a defensive duel until the Cardinals took advantage of an opportunity late in the first half en route to a 1-0 win over the Tigers.

“Howland (vs.) Canfield is always a tough game,” Cardinals coach Phil Simone said. “It was a little different environment this year because we’re used to playing at their other field, so this is their first game on (their new turf), so it’s kind of a new environment for both teams.”

Although it was a home match, Howland coach Dan Daniluk talked about how different it was adjusting to the new field. “It’s like playing at an away game until you get used to it. This is the first time we’ve played on the field with goals, so it just takes a little time to get used to it so. We adjusted and they adjusted. But at the end of the day, you got to score.”

Daniluk knew that the Tigers had little room for error.

Correspondent photo / Robert Hayes Ashley Chambers of Howland tries to stop the ball Wednesday against Canfield.

“We talked before the game that somebody was going to make a mistake and somebody is going to capitalize on it,” he said. “We made a mistake and they were able to capitalize on it, which is usually the difference in games between Canfield and us. It just comes down to one play. Tonight, they made it and we didn’t.

“We had our opportunities. We didn’t capitalize, so hats to Canfield.”

The goal that lifted the Cardinals to victory came off the foot of Sabrina Goodrich with less than three minutes remaining in the first half.

Bayann Jadallah made six saves for the Cardinals.

“I’m proud of myself and, most importantly, my team,” Jadallah said “They played really strong. My defense was able to make sure that I had few shots on me, and that helps a lot.”

The Cardinals (8-1) are dealing with some injuries.

“Luckily, we’ve got some depth,” Simone said. “That helps us. We are missing some key players, but our system from the JV to the varsity is the same. We have the same philosophy through the program, so the girls stepping up (from JV to varsity) is not a huge change. We’re fortunate to have that.”

Howland (6-2-2) knows it has to be ready going forward.

“In our next match, we play North Allegheny, which is a real powerhouse out of western Pennsylvania, coming at us,” Daniluk said. “They are a legit program, a first-class operation that plays high-level soccer, so we really need to get up our speed of play.”

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