Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

Even though there were a lot of new faces in the St. Joseph lineup, coach Mike Balestra liked their looks.

The young and inexperienced Flyers finished strong as they beat the New Boston Tigers 3-2 on Tuesday in their soccer season opener.

“I was pleased with our first outing. We made some mistakes and missed numerous opportunities that kept the game close,” said Flyers’ coach Mike Balestra.

“It was a very physical game and we came out of it banged up, but our players responded well to that style of play and fought hard to win.”

New Boston received two yellow cards and one red card.

New Boston scored at the 20-minute mark on a penalty kick by Dylan Rawlins.

St. Joseph answered at the 31-minute mark as Isaac Whaley scored off a cross by Blake Balestra to Zac McGraw who got the assist.

Kyle McQuithy scored on a corner kick to put New Boston on top 2-1 at the 50-minute mark, but Dylan Arrington’s penalty kick 20 minutes later tied the game and Whaley scored an unassisted goal from 30-yards out just three minutes later for the decisive goal.

Balestra praised the play of new starters Clay Willis, Tyler Ward, Judge Williams, Bradley Rist and Daniel Hodges.

“They were solid defenders and transitioned the ball well in our attack,” said Balestra. “They stayed compacted and kept their shape in a very good defensive effort.”

Balestra added that Alex Ward, Bryson Canter, Arrington, McGraw and Willis “stepped up to control the middle and made excellent passes to keep our attack going. We were attack mode most of the game.”

Goalie Joey Bush had 13 saves.

St. Joseph plays at South Point on Thursday.

New Boston 1 1 = 2

St. Joseph 1 2 = 3

First Half

NB — Dylan Rawlins (penalty kick)

SJ — Isaac Whaley (assist by Zac McGraw)

Second Half

NB — Kyle McQuithy (unassisted corner kick)

SJ — Dylan Arrington (penalty kick)

SJ — Isaac Whaley (unassisted)

Shots on goal: St. Joseph 22, New Boston 13; Corner kicks: St. Joseph 5, New Boston 6. Offside penalties: St. Joseph 4, New Boston none. Fouls: St. Joseph 5, New Boston 5.