Absorbing the full impact of the ball, sophomore Caleb Sautter heads the ball into the goal for Manchester's third goal of the first half. Photos by Gary Nieter
Absorbing the full impact of the ball, sophomore Caleb Sautter heads the ball into the goal for Manchester's third goal of the first half. Photos by Gary Nieter
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The Manchester Squires boys soccer team continued its ascension Tuesday afternoon with a 4-0 victory over Lakeland Christian Academy. It’s the fifth win in a row for the Squires, who improve to 10-1-1 this fall. The Cougars have a three-game winning streak snapped and fall to 5-7.

Both teams spent the opening portion of the game feeling each other out, with both sides trading possession for the first 15 minutes. Manchester made its intentions clear early and often, putting a shot up every time one of its players touched the ball anywhere near the net. A few shots had to be saved by LCA goalkeeper Braden Weirick, but most attempts sailed tall or wide.

Even with the Squires beginning to dominate possession, the first real chance of the game came for the Cougars. A shot by a Lakeland Christian attacker beat Manchester’s keeper, Kolby Haecker, but defenseman Traceson Gearhart was on the line and sent the ball away.

Two minutes later, Manchester got its biggest chance yet and took advantage. A shot by Nathanial Miller was saved by Weirick, but the ball rebounded off of his hands. Squire attacker Tyler McClain was in position to make an attack on the rebound and did so, burying it for the opening goal of the match in the 18thminute.

Just a few minutes later, Miller scored what was the goal of the match. Miller intercepted a goal kick with a volley, and on his next touch, sent the ball flying over the head of Weirick, who was off his line, and into the net. The lead had been doubled and the floodgates opened.

Crisp passing was the name of the game for Manchester. The Squires used quick and easy passes to move the ball downfield in a hurry and generate chances. With ten minutes left in the first half, the Squires were awarded two corner kicks back-to-back. The pass on the second was perfect, and Caleb Sautter was in perfect position to receive it. He would send it off of his head and into the back of the net for a 3-0 lead. Manchester would score its final goal of the first half and the game a minute later on a free kick by Michael Ortiz.

After an action-packed first half, chances were at a premium in the second. Four minutes into the half, Manchester was awarded a penalty kick after some contact in the box. Gearhart was selected to take it, but sent his try over the crossbar.

That would be the best of the Squires opportunities in the second half. Weirick would make some tremendous saves to keep the Cougars in the game.

With about ten minutes left, some miscommunication in the box by the Squires resulted in a very good chance for the Cougars’ Jashawn Zielasko, but the shot went just wide. There would be no more opportunities in the game as both sides traded possession until the final whistle.

Manchester goes on the road Wednesday to take on Mississinewa, while Lakeland Christian hosts Tippecanoe Valley Thursday afternoon.