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NORTH MANCHESTER - Dave McKee, Manchester High School's veteran boys soccer coach, can't imagine more of an offensive threat than Harley Kruschwitz.
The Squires' standout senior put his talents on display Saturday, providing all of Manchester's scoring in a 4-1 win over the visiting Huntington North Vikings at Good Field.
The Squires, who have outscored their opponents this season by a total of 18-1, improved to 2-0, while Huntington North fell to 0-2-2.
"I don't see every team play, but I can't imagine there's more of an offensive threat, maybe in the whole state ... he's gotta be up there," McKee said of Kruschwitz.
"Harley stayed focused and worked hard. And he made some nice passes for people to get goals ... they never materialized, but he made some nice passes. You look at four goals, but he's a team player. He's definitely for the team."
Kruschwitz, also a state finals qualifer in golf, scored his first goal just five minutes into the 80-minute match, and the score remained 1-0 until he netted another in the 60th minute via an assist from freshman Michael Ortiz.
A minute later, he scored on an assist from his younger brother, sophomore Owen Kruschwitz, to earn his hat trick.
Huntington North junior Alex Gass spoiled the shutout with a goal in the 62nd minute of play, but Kruschwitz struck again in the 69th minute to account for the final score.
Kruschwitz has scored six goals in two games this season.
Following a season in which they lit up the scoreboard game in and game out, an impressive campaign that included a 7-0 record in the Three Rivers Conference, the Squires are off to another great start.
McKee said the strength of this year's team is its chemistry.
"That's the word ... team," said McKee. "This team is just so close on the field, and they're just as close off the field. They're good friends, they respect each other. They're fun guys to be around. Last year was team, too, but these guys have taken it up another notch."
The Squires are in action again Thursday at county and conference rival Wabash.
MANCHESTER 4,
HUNTINGTON NORTH 1
M - Harley Kruschwitz (unassisted) 5th min
M - Kruschwitz (Michael Ortiz) 60th min
M - Kruschwitz (Owen Kruschwitz) 61st min
HN - Alex Gass (unassisted) 62nd min
M - Kruschwitz (Caleb Stout) 69th min
Records: Manchester 2-0, Huntington North 0-2-2
