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Beavers shut down Oak Glen

DOWN THE MIDDLE — Oak Glen’s Kade Koper splits Beaver Local’s Alex Burgess, left, and Kaden McKenzie during an OVAC Class 4A semifinal contest on Monday. (Photo by Patti Schaefer)

CALCUTTA — Beaver Local’s boys soccer team lived up to its top-seed billing with a 3-0 win over No. 4-seed Oak Glen on Monday in a Class 4A OVAC semifinal match.

Josh Williams’ goal in the 25th minute got the Beavers on the board, followed by Chase Flati three minutes later. Aiden Lowe closed the scoring with five minutes left in the game.

“Oak Glen came out fast and moved the ball well,” Beaver Local coach Joseph Zirillo said. “It took a bit to find our groove, but we took control and started playing Beaver Local soccer.”

Zirillo described Beaver Local soccer as “playing possession, controlling the tempo and going for counter attacks when possible.”

Beaver Local (7-2-2) will play the winner of Wednesday’s Harrison Central at East Liverpool semifinal at 2 p.m. on Saturday at Wheeling Island Stadium for the Class 4A title.

The Beavers beat Harrison, 1-0, earlier this season and drew East Liverpool.

“It doesn’t matter who we play,” Zirillo said. “We just want to play our best against whoever we play.”

Oak Glen falls to 5-4-2.

Monday’s rain did affect the game, but Zirillo said his team adjusted and handled it on Beaver’s grass field.

“The ground was wet and there was some slipping,” Zirillo said. “It was a little tough on the defense, but they played well.”

Beaver goalie Aiden Lowe had five saves in keeping the clean sheet.

Zirillo said the Beavers scrimmaged Oak Glen in the preseason, and he likes what he sees from them.

“They have talent on that team and are still pretty young,” Zirillo said. “I think they have a bright future ahead of them and will be a good team for years to come.”

OVAC’s boys soccer Class 4A consists of seven teams: East Liverpool, Beaver Local, Oak Glen, Harrison Central, Edison, St. Clairsville and Cambridge.

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