Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

PROCTROVILLE — Despite heavy graduation losses and an inexperienced team, St. Joseph Flyers’ soccer coach Mike Balestra was still cautiously optimistic.

Until Thursday.

The young Flyers lost 3-1 to the Fairland Dragons and fell to 1-2-1 on the season.

“This is not the start we anticipated. It is time for us to get focused and start playing the game the way we are capable of,” said Balestra.

“We play hard, but we have made costly mistakes that have made us play from behind in our four games.”

Fairland took a 2-0 lead on unassisted goals by Wyatt Morris and Andrew Channongsuang with nine minutes into the game.

The Flyers got their only goal a minute later when Isaac Whaley scored with an assist from Blake Balestra.

The Dragons got the only goal of the second half when Tyler Webb scored with an assist from Jared Wilkes.

Both Flyers’ goalie Joey Bush and Fairland’s Alex Ward had seven saves each.

St. Joseph hosts Portsmouth Clay on Tuesday.

“We have been on the road for all these games and finally next week we get to play a home game. We have a stretch of seven home games in a row. The change of venue will do our team good,” said coach Balestra.

St. Joseph 1 0 = 1

Fairland 2 1 = 3

First Half

Fa — Wyatt Morris (unassisted) 7:00

Fa — Andrew Channongsuang (unassisted) 9:00

SJ — Isaac Whaley (assist Blake Balestra) 10:00

Second Half

Fa — Tyler Webb (assisted Jared Wilkes) 63:00

Saves: Joey Bush (SJ) 7, Alex Ward (FHS) 7

Corner kicks: St. Joseph 2, Fairland 3

Offside penalty: St Joseph 1, Fairland 0

Fouls: St. Joseph 14, Fairland 0

Shots on goals: St. Joseph 17, Fairland 13