DOVER – Crawfordsville’s boys soccer team opened the season by a factor of five.
Their 6-1 win over Western Boone set the first five.
Senior Manuel Olvera had five goals to lead his squad – the second five.
Olvera had four goals in the first half as the Athenians jump-start the season with a Sagamore Conference win.
“We did some things well,” C’ville coach Marcus Hale said, “and getting a win to open the season, especially a conference win, is big and important. We had some freshmen come in and play really well later in the game, but it is the first game, and there are plenty of things to work on.”
Olvera got his first goal less than five minutes into the season, as he took a pass from last year’s leading scorer Patrick Corado and found the back of the net.
His second came eight minutes later, as he pushed a rebound in. Goal #3 was midway through the first half, as he had an unassisted goal after a turnover – one of three Athenians goals scored after taking away a pass.
His fourth goal of the half came late on a nice pass from freshman David Estrada.
The fifth and final came in the second half on another unassisted goal after another takeaway.
“Manuel played well,” Hale said. “He stepped up when we needed him to. Several freshmen, like David (Estrada) also stepped up.”
That stepping up came after Corado left the game shortly after the first goal, about eight minutes in, with a leg injury that had the appearances of a hamstring tweak. He did not return, and Hale said it was too early to tell any extent of the injury.
“Patrick is a special player,” Hale noted, “but having him out showed that we expect anyone to be able to score. Manuel stepped up, Jaziel (Gil-Herrera) stepped up and others did when we needed them.”
Gil Herrera got the other Crawfordsville goal when he drove a penalty kick home near the midpoint of the first half.
The Athenians peppered Stars goalkeeper Trey Fuston with 19 shots on goal, while C’ville keeper Alec Saidian turned away 11 of the 12 shots he faced, including four really tough saves.
WeBo’s goal came in the second half when Noah Starks scored on a penalty kick.
“We played a very good Crawfordsville team to a 1-1 second half,” Stars coach Shane Conner said. “Our guys have been working hard the entire offseason and they played hard tonight. We had to re-vamp the lineup at the last second because we had a couple guys out, and I really want to acknowledge our seniors for their leadership. This has always been a football school, and we know that with their three state championships. But we have some really good athletes on this soccer team, and we are doing our best to get the support of the school.”
Crawfordsville played an aggressive defense from the first whistle, and kept the action in their offensive end for most of the first half. The Stars adjusted a bit in the second half, getting their lone goal and better shots.
“We like to play aggressive where it pays off,” Hale said. You can use a lot of energy playing that aggressively that far out, so you want to use it effectively.”
Both teams have Frankfort on the horizon as the week continues.
The Stars travel to Frankfort Thursday for another Sagamore Conference game, while the Athenians head there Saturday for the Frankfort Invitational.
