Warren JFK holds on, earns long-awaited win vs. United
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WARREN -- United struck first, but Kennedy had the last laugh as Trumbull County's Eagles took down the Golden Eagles 3-2 on Thursday.
Team records are uncertain, but Thursday's victory marked Kennedy's first win over United in more than 20 years.
JFK hopes it's a statement victory for a program regaining its footing.
"The boys have been working really hard, and we've been playing really well," Eagles coach Brian Stiles said. "The competition has been kind of weaker lately, and we knew tonight was a step up. I think the big thing is we wanted to see where we fit. United has definitely been the class of Division V locally for quite a while, so we want to try to fight into that tier, and the kids did a great job."
Lyric Shields struck first for Kennedy, knotting the game at one goal apiece. Not long after, Dimitrios Hazinakis gave the Eagles the advantage with a header.
Hazinakis is a natural fit inside, and his header on Thursday was something they've been looking for all season.
"He's got good size in there," Stiles said. "We've been trying to get that flick on all year. It hasn't worked out, and it just bounced right today."
Dominic LaFuria extended that lead further with a goal early in the second half.
Freshman Cayson Stewart was thrown into the fire against United, but stood strong, allowing just two goals.
"He's only got four starts under his belt," Stiles said. "Our starting keeper is injured right now, and (Stewart) did a great job (in his stead). He made the saves he had to make. That's what we always say. You're gonna give up goals, make the saves you have to make, and he did a great job doing that."
Those goals allowed came from Marvin Schreiber and a late goal from Jude Andrea. The latter cut Kennedy's lead to 3-2 midway through the second half. While momentum was shifting toward United, the Golden Eagles could not capitalize, and much of the remaining 24 minutes was spent in Kennedy's attacking third.
"I thought United spent a lot of energy trying to get that goal. Sometimes you get that goal, and then you deflate," Stiles said. "It seemed like they had like a five or six-minute deflation there, and then that allowed us to kind of get our feet under us and really kind of see out the game."
Kennedy looks to close the season strong and make some waves. Its next two games, against Agape Christian Academy and a rematch with Ursuline, will be good opportunities to do that.
"We have a tough remaining six games," Stiles said. "Our biggest thing is that we never really look at opponents. We're just trying to get better every game at what we're trying to do, and that's going to be the goal over the next six games.
"We're trying to chase the big boys. Every game (is important). It's going to be important Tuesday night (against Agape) to improve, so that we're prepped for Thursday night (against Ursuline)."