Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

The St. Joseph Flyers boys’ soccer team lost a pair of matches the past week.

Last week, the Flyers fell 5-1 to New Boston and then fell 7-2 to Wheelersburg on Tuesday.

St. Joseph fell behind 3-1 in the first half to New Boston and never recovered. Joseph Payton had the lone Flyers’ goal on an unassisted play. Goalie Joey Bush had nine saves.

“When I watch these guys play, I see real improvement and a better understanding of the game than they had at the beginning of the season,” said Flyers’ coach Mike Arrington.

“It’s frustrating because looking at our stats really doesn’t give you the whole picture.”

The youthful Flyers fell behind 3-1 in the first half once again against Wheelersburg. Payton had both goals for St. Joseph with Jacob Clark getting a pair of assists.

Payton now has 25 goals on the season.

Bush had an outstanding performance with 17 saves.

“Wheelersburg is always a tough team to paly. They are very athletic and very aggressive,” said Arrington.

“I thought we played really well the first half. They rostered 33 (players) last night and that gives them such a depth and an endurance advantage that it’s hard to overcome.”

St. Joseph (3-7-2) visits Chesapeake at 6 p.m. Thursday.