Mike Vukovcan HOPEWELL- The Hopewell Boys Soccer team hosted its first home game of the season Tuesday night and gave the home crowd plenty to celebrate, rolling to a 10-0 victory over Ellwood City.
Hopewell’s defense has continued to be a strength early in the season, but this time the offense joined the party. The Vikings controlled possession from the opening whistle, created opportunities throughout the lineup and saw several players find the back of the net.
It took less than two minutes for Hopewell to get on the board. RJ Bushnell started the play with a throw-in to Aaden Gonzalez, who found Jaidyn Shoemaker for his first goal of the season and an early 1-0 lead.
Hopewell maintained its offensive pressure over the next several minutes before senior Will Arzberger added his first goal of the season. Bushnell again helped create the opportunity, controlling the ball up the field and finding Quincy Sannan, whose pressure forced a Hopewell corner. Sannan delivered the ensuing corner into the box, where Arzberger finished the play.
Aaden Gonzalez was next to get into the scoring column. Bushnell controlled the ball and delivered a well-placed pass to Gonzalez, who made a short run through the Ellwood City defense before finishing for his first goal of the night.
The opportunities continued to pile up for Hopewell. Sannan showcased his footwork with a run through the middle before narrowly missing on his first shot of the game. Justin Dennis nearly converted off another Bushnell pass, while Caine Sullivan settled a ball and fired a shot just wide.
At the other end of the field, Hopewell’s defense gave Ellwood City little room to work. Elijah Persi-Jones, Dominic Buchanan, Sam Wrzesniewski and Dylan Ankrom were able to push into the midfield and disrupt much of Ellwood City’s ball movement before it could develop into a threat.
With Hopewell firmly in control, Coach Ben Bezems was also able to get some of his younger players valuable varsity minutes. Freshman Josh Liptak made the most of the opportunity, delivering a strong pass to Shoemaker that nearly resulted in another goal.
Shoemaker didn’t wait long for his second. Sannan made a long run toward goal and fired a shot that the Ellwood City goalkeeper was able to knock away, but Shoemaker was in position to clean up the rebound and put Hopewell further ahead.
As the first half wound down, Shoemaker added an assist to his night when he found Aaden Gonzalez for his second goal of the game.
Hopewell saved one of its best finishes of the night for the end of the half. Sannan delivered a perfectly placed corner into the middle of the box, where Buchannan got above the defense and headed the ball into the back of the net.
The header sent Hopewell into halftime with a commanding 6-0 advantage.
FIRST HALF SCORING: Shoemaker (2), A. Gonzalez (2), Arzberger and Buchanan.
FIRST HALF ASSISTS: Sannan (2), A. Gonzalez, Bushnell and Shoemaker.
Hopewell wasted little time picking up where it left off in the second half.
This time Bushnell went from setting up goals to scoring one himself. Gonzalez found Bushnell for his first goal of the game, and Gonzalez followed with another assist when he helped set up Shoemaker for his third goal of the night.
Bushnell continued to create opportunities for his teammates, finding Parker Hoth for his first goal of the season. Sannan, who had been heavily involved in Hopewell’s attack all night, eventually got one of his own. After battling inside the box and drawing a foul, Sannan stepped up for the penalty kick and converted.
One of the more impressive parts of the second half, however, wasn’t just the scoring. With Hopewell holding a sizable lead, the older players began looking for opportunities to get some of the younger Vikings involved in the attack.
Bushnell made a huge run toward the net before finding an open Kaleb Gonzalez, who came just short of collecting his first varsity goal.
While goalkeeper Tallon Coleman didn’t see much action because of the play in front of him, he delivered when Hopewell needed him. Ellwood City drew a penalty in the box and had an opportunity to break up the shutout, but Coleman made a diving stop on the penalty kick to keep the clean sheet intact.
The Gonzalez brothers then had an opportunity to combine for a Hopewell goal. Kaleb Gonzalez found his older brother, Aaden, who finished the play for his third goal of the game to complete the hat trick.
Coach Bezems continued working younger players into the lineup as the game progressed, and they responded with energy. RJ Arthur generated an attempted shot while Elijah Rodriguez and Gabriel Gold contributed to Hopewell’s offensive play as the Vikings continued attacking through the final minute.
The 10-0 victory showcased what Hopewell can look like when both sides of the field are clicking. The defense once again kept its opponent off the scoreboard, while the offense broke through with goals from players throughout the lineup.
But perhaps just as important in a lopsided home victory was the opportunity for Hopewell’s experienced players to help create chances for the younger Vikings and for those players to gain valuable varsity minutes. For Hopewell, the first home game of the season ended with 10 goals, a shutout and contributions throughout the roster.
SECOND HALF SCORING: Bushnell, Hoth, Sannan and A. Gonzalez
SECOND HALF ASSISTS: A. Gonzalez (2), Bushnell, K. Gonzalez.
Hopewell returns to action on Thursday as they’ll host Mohawk.
